Anyone know the history of this word? I can't get to an OED for a few days so could someone help me? The most famous use of the word recently is in the movie "Blazing Saddles", see below. I believe it appears in in "Winnie the Pooh". GOVERNOR: We've got to protect our phony-balon...

What is the history of this word? I seem to remember studying American history and it was an English (Brit) term for the time a group of soldiers spend in the fort before the would be relieved by another garrison; 14 nights. Is that correct?

hectoring: bugging, bothering someone to do something

This would make a fantastic work, you can tie it in all the way back to the Iliad. How could you resist... you should really do this... come on... Do you feel I'm hectoring you just a little to much? We'll "just do it"... :-)

Since it is May which is all about flowers this might be a nice word to send out... festoon - 1. \Fes*toon"\, n. [F. feston (cf. Sp. feston, It. festone), prob. fr. L. festum festival. See {Feast}.] 1. A garland or wreath hanging in a depending curve, used in decoration for festivals, etc.; any...

I like this word that mean "To hit, especially in the head." Where does this word come from?

I was waiting in a BBQ line and the word "tip" came up, because the line was so slow we were not going to tip the cooks. Anyway, my friend said the origins of "TIPS" came from a restaurant here in the USA where you paid TIPS ahead of time, the reason "to insure prompt servic...

I think the usage of CC is the important thing here... Firstly, a Carbon Copy had a legal status, similar to when the government updated the law to make a fax a legal document. Secondly, I think it was a way of giving instructions, don't just send out a memo to this person but make a carbon of it; i...

I know the definition of this saying, but I wonder where it comes from? English I would say... more ideas?

Where does the phrase "Peeping Tom" come from?

Wheres this little ditty come from?

It just seems a little strange to me.

A professor of English is giving a lecture in an introductory course. He explains that in the English language (which is unlike many other languages in this respect) a double negative equals a positive declaration. He pauses, and says, "It just occurred to me that in English there is no such th...

Thank you for the simple explanations and the two sayings. I'll see if my little brain can hold it all.



Eric

I'm just about old enough to remember what carbon copy is. Why are we still using this?

PS I'm good at questions, not so good at writing up answers.

What is a BYE? Why do we put GOOD infrom of so many things? We say these things without thinking, but what is the real meaning?