Category Etymology

How canaries became a global symbol of warning

The phrase “canary in a coal mine” refers to an early warning signal of danger. It originates from the mining practices of the early 20th century, particularly in Britain and the United States. Coal miners would carry small yellow canaries…

How a French ticket became a language of manners

Ever wondered what courtly manners have to do with tickets? The word etiquette comes from the Old French estiquette, meaning “label” or “ticket.” It originally referred to small notes or placards used to post public notices. In the royal court…

What’s in a month? How July got its name

The month of July is named after Julius Caesar. In the original Roman calendar, it was called Quintilis, meaning the fifth month, since the year began in March. In 44 BCE, after Caesar’s assassination, the Roman Senate officially renamed Quintilis…

Picture of Mark Twain sitting on a bench

How Samuel Clemens became Mark Twain

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, an iconic American author active primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, adopted the pen name Mark Twain from his experiences working as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River. The phrase “mark twain” was…