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

Why Do We Call Kindergarten Kindergarten?

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

Why Do We Call Kindergarten Kindergarten?

Immigrate vs. Emigrate: What’s the Difference?

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

Immigrate vs. Emigrate: What’s the Difference?

The Fascinating Origins of 12 Beautiful Flower Names

Sabine Hortebusch/iStock via Getty Images

The Fascinating Origins of 12 Beautiful Flower Names

Why Is There No N in Restaurateur?

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

Why Is There No N in Restaurateur?

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.

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

Allie/Unsplash

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.