A conversation:
OWS: What did we do wrong in past lives to deserve this? Was I in the Khmer Rouge? What else warrants this kind of punishment?
Me: Not much else. Maybe genocide.
OWS: Khmer Rouge was genocide.
Me: Oh.
...
Me: You know not to use obscure historical references around me!
OWS: Sorry. [insert Wikipedia link for Khmer Rouge here]
A catalogue of the writer's thoughts - particularly those more organized, relevant, and creative.
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Monday, January 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Words: A History Lesson
Today could not be any wetter if we dunked it in the ocean. Fortunately, I have a new and lovely pair of rainboots! They are navy and hot pink plaid on a cream background and solidly waterproof. They even have a cozy, hot pink fleece lining. I amused myself on the way to work thinking of other words for rainboots. Shall we?
Wellies: British, from Wellingtons or Wellington boots. Named after Arthur, First Duke of Wellington (1769-1852). He apparently was a dashing, well-dressed fellow who set many fashion trends, and thus had boots, trousers, coats, hats, and even a few trees named after him.
Rubbers: also British; relatively modern slang for rubber boots or rubber waders.
Mukluk: also "muckluck." Eskimo word for sealskin, describing the material of their traditional footwear: waterproof and often lined with fur.
Galoshes: Latin for "Gallic shoe." A wooden sole strapped to the foot with leather. However, there's an alternate (and more interesting) etymology: Greek from the word for "shoemaker's last;" the shoemaker had run out of expensive leather and resorted to the cheaper, last-resort wood.
Whoo! That was fun. And I've branded myself a perma-nerd.
[Thanks to the Online Etymology Dictionary for my info.]
Wellies: British, from Wellingtons or Wellington boots. Named after Arthur, First Duke of Wellington (1769-1852). He apparently was a dashing, well-dressed fellow who set many fashion trends, and thus had boots, trousers, coats, hats, and even a few trees named after him.
Rubbers: also British; relatively modern slang for rubber boots or rubber waders.
Mukluk: also "muckluck." Eskimo word for sealskin, describing the material of their traditional footwear: waterproof and often lined with fur.
Galoshes: Latin for "Gallic shoe." A wooden sole strapped to the foot with leather. However, there's an alternate (and more interesting) etymology: Greek from the word for "shoemaker's last;" the shoemaker had run out of expensive leather and resorted to the cheaper, last-resort wood.
Whoo! That was fun. And I've branded myself a perma-nerd.
[Thanks to the Online Etymology Dictionary for my info.]
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