ETYMOLOGY

Why Does ‘Spick-and-Span’ Mean ‘Really Clean’?

‘Spick’ doesn’t mean ‘clean.’ And ‘span’ doesn’t mean ‘clean.’ So what’s going on here?

People have apparently been saying cold slaw since the 18th century.

11 Commonly Misheard Phrases That Actually Make Sense

Is it coleslaw or cold slaw? Deep-seated or deep-seeded? There are right answers, but the wrong ones seem kind of right in their own right.

Why Are Some Liquors Called 'Spirits'?

One theory suggests that we call liquor 'spirits' because of alcohol’s association with one spirit in particular: the Holy Spirit. But there are other theories.

Why Is It Called the Placebo Effect?

What is a placebo? Technically, a Latin phrase meaning ‘I will please.’ It’s also a Catholic prayer and a clever insult.

Why Do We Call Blonde Kids 'Towheads?'

The origin of ‘towhead’ has roots in 14th-century England, when ‘tow’ often referred to textile fibers.

The Unexpected Origin of 'Feeling One's Oats'

Attention neigh sayers: The idiom has little to do with playing with our food and more to do with equine diets.

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Why Do Performers Say 'Break a Leg'?

The tongue-in-cheek—and superstitious—saying "break a leg" has several possible origins in the theater world.