Category Etymology

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…

How April got its name: A story of nature and myth

The month April has mysterious origins. The most popular theory suggests that it derives from the Latin word aperire, meaning “to open.” This fits with the month’s timing, as April marks the opening of spring—when flowers begin to bloom and…

March

How did March get its name?

Did you know March, the third month of the modern calendar, derives its name from Latin Martius, meaning “month of Mars”? Mars was the Roman god of war, and March was originally the first month of the year in the…