etymology - Trivia, Quizzes, and Brain Teasers | Mental Floss

Why Do We Call Blonde Kids 'Towheads?'

Towheadedness runs in the family.

Why Do We Call Blonde Kids 'Towheads?'

The Unexpected Origin of 'Feeling One's Oats'

Go ahead. Feel them.

The Unexpected Origin of 'Feeling One's Oats'

Why Do Performers Say 'Break a Leg'?

EvgeniyShkolenko/iStock via Getty Images

Why Do Performers Say 'Break a Leg'?

Why Do We Say “PU” When Something Stinks?

Putrid, ugh!

Why Do We Say “PU” When Something Stinks?

The Fascinating Origin Stories and Etymologies Behind 70 Common Words

A 19th-century painting of Paradise Lost's Pandemonium by John Martin.

The 20 Most Spoken Languages in the World

How many languages can you identify?

What’s the Scratch in Made From Scratch?

Ain't no shame in the boxed mix game.

Why Do We Call Kindergarten Kindergarten?

Kindergarten survived some early controversy to become part of the American education system.

Immigrate vs. Emigrate: What’s the Difference?

A 19th-century illustration of immigrants arriving at Ellis Island. Or are they emigrants?

The Fascinating Origins of 12 Beautiful Flower Names

Sabine Hortebusch/iStock via Getty Images

Why Is There No N in Restaurateur?

A promising young restaurateur, ready to be called a restauranteur for the rest of her career.

The Stories Behind 15 Pasta Shapes

apomares/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Blue Collar vs. White Collar Jobs: What’s the Difference?

If they're not sitting at a desk all day, they might be a blue-collar worker.

Why Is TV Called the 'Boob Tube'?

"Go play outside!"

Vaccination vs. Immunization vs. Inoculation: What's the Difference?

A medical professional does the vaccination; your body does the immunization.

Where Did the Phrase 'Fall Off the Wagon' Originate?

This man does not appear to be occupying a wagon.