How ‘Spinster’ Became an Insult
The word 'spinster' didn't always evoke images of a lonely old maid. It originally meant a woman who spun thread for a livingβa respected and economically important profession. This post…
Unlocking the Universe of Languages
The word 'spinster' didn't always evoke images of a lonely old maid. It originally meant a woman who spun thread for a livingβa respected and economically important profession. This post…
Why did "silly" once mean "blessed," and "villain" just mean "farmhand"? This post explores pejoration, the fascinating linguistic process where a word's meaning drifts to become more negative. We dive…
Discover the dramatic history of the word 'assassin,' a term born from a mysterious medieval sect in the mountains of Persia. Journey with Marco Polo as he spreads their sensational…
Ever wonder why we have a dozen words for the toilet? This is the "euphemism treadmill," a linguistic cycle where our polite words for taboo subjects inevitably become tainted by…