Category Business

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How an English Earl gave the sandwich its name

Did you know one of the world’s most popular quick meals owes its name to an English aristocrat multitasking through hunger? The beloved sandwich we enjoy today has a surprisingly aristocratic history. While stacking ingredients between bread existed long before,…

What happens when someone steals your thunder?

Some idioms have surprisingly literal beginnings, and “to steal someone’s thunder” is one of them. Today, it means overshadowing someone by taking attention, credit, or impact that should have been theirs. In use I was about to announce my promotion,…

How a rose became a symbol of secrecy

What if a single flower could symbolize secrecy for centuries? That is the story behind sub rosa, a Latin phrase meaning “in secret” or “in confidence.” When something happens sub-rosa, it is intended to remain hidden from public view or…

How did a “bellwether” get its name

Long before stock markets and opinion polls existed, shepherds in medieval England had a simple system for managing their flocks. They would hang a bell around the neck of a castrated male sheep called a wether. The rest of the…