Category Etymology

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…

A person holding salt as a prized commodity in their hands

How salt defined one’s worth in ancient times

Did you know the expression “worth one’s salt” means to be competent, good enough to justify one’s earnings or position? The phrase originates from ancient times when salt was a highly prized commodity due to its flavor-enhancing properties and its…

How the month of “May” got its name?

Have you ever wondered where the name “May” comes from? Like many other months, it goes all the way back to ancient Rome! The name May comes from Maia (MY-uh), a Roman goddess of spring, growth, and plants. She was…