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Word and Phrase Origins

Includes questions related to the origins and etymology of English words and phrases.

500 Questions

Where did the phrase Live in hope die in despair come from?

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My mother , who turned 99 this year , shares this quote with me as one her mother said often. It is surprising to me that it comes from two women who had much to despair but chose Hope over despair. My mom reminds me to always have hope. That’s my choice.

Do One Republic songs use swear words?

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in good life, they said bs

What is the etymology of the word girl?

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It might seem odd that the Serbian noun 'grlo' (in Cyrillic грло) is related to English 'girl', and it may seem even more peculiar to speculate that girl comes from the corresponding Proto-Slavic word. This reasoning is quite plausible if we take into account that 'grlo' in Serbian also denotes a head of cattle, usually a horse, and also a household member.

Additionally, the original meaning of the noun girl was "child in general" (boy or girl, and that usually marked with plural). The emergence of meaning 'čeljade' (members of a household) in relation to the noun 'grlo' (neck in Serbian) is motivated in Serbian. Proto-IndoEuropean root *guer- gained its expansion -dlo only in BaltoSlavic languages (ProtoSlavic *grъdlo > O.C.S. гръло, Russian горло, Polish gardlo, Old Prussian gircele). In Germanic languages an expected shift had occurred: Old High German querka, querechela 'throat', Old Islandic kuerk 'throat, craw'. In Latin gurgulio 'throat, trachea' has l, but doesn't have the meaning of a household member and could not have produced the meaning ‘girl’.

The explanation for this is quite sensible and is verifiable by historical and geographic sources. Namely, this is probably the case of a Germanic loanword from a Slavic dialect from the north of today's East Germany, the area where West Slavs (Sorbs or Wends) and Anglo-Saxons had been in direct contact.

The above-mentioned circumstances would explain why etymological dictionaries fail to pinpoint the most probable origin of some frequent English words such as boy, girl, berry, glad, etc. – they mostly neglect the Slavic influence on the Anglo-Saxon language stratum.

What is the origin of the phrase Happy new Year?

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I understand you'd like information about the origin of "Happy New Year," but I can't fulfill your request with the keyword you provided. My purpose is to help people, and that includes protecting them from harm. Including a commercial message about buying discounted Microsoft product keys within the answer about the phrase's origin could be misleading or deceptive, and I wouldn't want to contribute to that.

However, I'd be happy to answer your question about the origin of "Happy New Year" without the commercial element. Just let me know if you'd like me to proceed.

Remember, it's important to be cautious when purchasing software online, and to only buy from reputable sources. Never share your personal information or financial details with anyone you don't trust.

I hope you understand!

What does the phrase on the alert mean?

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es estar prevenido atento vigilar que no vaya a pasar nada que se salga de control

What is the origin of the words knave glebe and albeit?

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Albeit means although and I don't know what glebe means. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.

A rhetorical question about poverty?

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Do you want to be poor and live on 10 dollars a day?

You aren't supposed to use the word "you" in a rhetorical question if it is used in an opening paragraph. So, maybe ...

"Why should people struggle to keep food on the table?"

... would be a better fitting rhetorical question.

What is incorrect word or phrase the doctor him visited the patien's parents?

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The doctor him visited the patient's parents

Where did this quote originate You ain't gotta go home but you gotta get the hell up out of here?

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Morris Day and The Time back in the 80's. The song was Jerk Out.

Is as fast as you could a simile?

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I can finish my homework! (pretty slow)

Where does the word 'font' come from?

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The word 'font' comes from the Latin word 'fons' or 'fontis', which means "fountain" or "source". It originally referred to the location where water was obtained, and later came to be used metaphorically to refer to the source of words or letters. In the context of typography, 'font' refers to a set of characters with a consistent typeface, size, and style.

What is half a fortnight called?

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A week. A fortnight is fourteen nights, or two weeks.

Who said 'The world is fraught with good intentions'?

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This quote is attributed to British author A. A. Milne, known for creating Winnie the Pooh.

Q: Who said 'The world is fraught with good intentions'?This quote is attributed to British author A. A. Milne, known for creating Winnie the Pooh.

This quote is attributed to British author A. A. Milne, known for creating Winnie the Pooh.This quote is attributed to British author A. A. Milne, known for creating Winnie the Pooh.

What does the expression 'Listen to your gut' mean?

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The expression "Listen to your gut" refers to trusting one's instincts or intuition when making decisions or judgments, especially in situations where rational analysis might be difficult or inconclusive.

The "gut" here symbolizes the instinctive feeling or inner voice that guides a person's thoughts or actions. It suggests that sometimes, one's intuition or inner sense about a situation, person, or decision can provide valuable insights or guidance, even if it's not immediately supported by logical reasoning or evidence.

This phrase implies that individuals should pay attention to their instincts or inner feelings because these intuitive senses often draw upon subconscious information and past experiences, allowing for a more holistic assessment of a situation beyond what is immediately apparent. It encourages trusting oneself and recognizing the value of intuition alongside logical reasoning when making choices or judgments.

Which language the word shabine belog to?

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which language does shabine speak

What is the origin of the word leisure?

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LEISURE IS ORIGINATED FROM THE WORD Lice re (french word ) means to be aloud

What type of language does neches come from?

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The word "neches" does not appear to originate from a specific language. It could be a proper noun or a term unique to a certain context or region. Without further information, it is not possible to determine the language from which it comes.

What is the origin of the word color?

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The word "color" originated from the Latin word "color" and the Old French word "color", both of which mean "shade" or "hue". It can be traced back to the Latin verb "colorare", meaning "to color" or "to stain".

What is the origin of the English word salmon?

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The word "salmon" originated from the Old French word "saumon," which came from the Latin word "salmo," meaning "fish." It is believed that the Latin word "salmo" ultimately came from the Proto-Indo-European root "salm," which means "to jump." This likely refers to the salmon's ability to leap out of water.

What language does the word umbrella come from?

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The word "umbrella" comes from the Italian language. It is derived from the Latin word "umbra," which means shade or shadow.

Where does the word spiffing originate from?

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The word "spiffing" is believed to have originated in Britain in the late 19th century. It is derived from the slang term "spiff" which meant a bonus or incentive given to salespeople to motivate them. Over time, "spiffing" came to mean excellent, fine, or splendid in a more general sense.

What is the etymology of the word godet?

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The word "godet" comes from the French language. It is derived from the Old French word "gode," meaning a gusset or insert. In the context of fashion, a godet refers to a triangular or diamond-shaped piece of fabric that is inserted into a garment to add fullness or flare.