Storyteller, Quizzer, Marcom Pro.
Storyteller, Quizzer, Marcom Pro.
Picador is the literary imprint of Pan Macmillan. But why the name “Picador”? In bullfighting, a picador is a horse-mounted assistant who uses a lance (called a “vara”) to weaken the bull by jabbing its neck and shoulders. This action…
The word “pioneer” reminds us of trailblazers, innovators, and those who shape the future by exploring uncharted territories. The word traces its origins to the Old French word peonier, which referred to foot-soldiers who were the first to explore new…
The word “underwriting” has its origins in the early days of maritime insurance during the 17th century in London. It comes from the practice where insurance underwriters wrote their names under the risk information of a ship or cargo that…
The word “bribe” has an intriguing etymology. In Old French, it originally meant “a piece of bread” offered to beggars. However, over time, the meaning of the word shifted as beggars started demanding these morsels as their right. Because of…
The Cheeta Fight brand of safety matches features a striking image of a man wielding a sickle, engaged in a fierce battle with a cheetah. This iconic logo, introduced by Wimco Limited, carries an inspiring tale from the 1930s. According…
The term “freelancer” originally referred to a mercenary soldier who was free from the obligations of serving any single lord or king. These soldiers were “free to offer their lance” to the highest bidder, enjoying independence and flexibility. Freelancers can…
Presenting the India Etymology Quiz #2. Here are six questions from my book EtymagIQ India. Take a shot and post your answers as comments at the end of this page.
The word “mentor” has its roots in Greek mythology, where it was originally the name of a person. In Homer’s epic The Odyssey, the main character Odysseus is away for 20 years fighting wars. During his absence, he places his…
Brand naming is a crucial step in establishing a business. A great name should be simple, memorable, and reflect the nature of the business. Sometimes even constraints can lead to clever naming, as demonstrated by Pizza Hut. In 1958, two…