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

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.

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

Why Is TV Called the 'Boob Tube'?

"Go play outside!"

Why Is TV Called the 'Boob Tube'?

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

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

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

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

This man does not appear to be occupying a wagon.

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

What's the Origin of 'Let the Cat Out of the Bag'?

Photo by Ben Wogl on Unsplash

The Unappetizing Origins of 'The Proof Is in the Pudding'

It's not this kind of pudding.

Where Did the Term Lame Duck Originate?

Not a lame duck.

11 Common English Words from Native American Languages

Avocado is the Anglicized version of ahuacatl.

20 Fall Harvest Words and Their Origins

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The Racist Origins of 7 Common Phrases

Rasmus Gundorff Sæderup, Unsplash

Why Do We Call Our Spouse's Relatives 'In-Laws'?

There's no law requiring you to spend every other holiday with your in-laws.

Why Are Common Graves Called Potter’s Fields?

Graves in potter's fields are sometimes marked with blank headstones or crosses.

Why Did Noon Used to Mean 3 p.m.?

3 p.m. is basically noon for people who wake up at 12 p.m.

Why Are Gardeners Said to Have a ‘Green Thumb’?

The phrase 'green thumb' has an interesting history.

21 Phrases You Use Without Realizing You're Quoting William Shakespeare

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The Origins of 62 Last Names

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