In 1868, Decoration Day was established as a new holiday on May 30. It was created by the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a group of Union Army veterans who wanted a way to honor fallen Civil War soldiers. The day kept that name for 99 years, until it was formally changed in 1967.

The original name was quite literal in nature. “Decoration” referred to the act of placing flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers. In fact, the GAR chose May 30 in part because flowers were likely to be in bloom nationwide by then, and the organization took great pride in staging ceremonies and gathering floral decorations at national cemeteries across the country. New York became the first state to officially recognize the day in 1873, and by 1890, it was recognized by all former Union states.

But in the late 19th century, the term “Memorial Day” became more widely used, as the day transformed into a general day of remembrance for those lost in all wars — not just the American Civil War. While decoration ceremonies were still commonly held for Civil War vets, the practice wasn’t as common for other conflicts. Throughout the 20th century, “Memorial Day” superseded “Decoration Day” in terms of popularity, and was often recognized as a day to remember those who perished during the two World Wars.

The U.S. government adopted “Memorial Day” as the holiday’s official name in 1967, and in 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill moved the date to the last Monday in May. While the term “Decoration Day” may largely be lost to time, those early decoration ceremonies paved the way for what we now call Memorial Day when we honor fallen soldiers.

Club sandwiches are served up in delis, diners, and hotel kitchens around the world. The recipe typically features sliced chicken or turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo, all of which are double-layered between three pieces of toasted white bread. Though it’s hard to pinpoint the sandwich’s creator, its etymological origins can be traced to a late-19th-century private social club in New York City.

The earliest known written mention of a “club sandwich” is printed in the November 18, 1889, edition of The Evening World. A brief snippet asks, “Have you tried a Union Club sandwich yet?” referring to a dish served at a private NYC social club founded in 1836. This early version featured “[t]wo toasted slices of Graham Bread, with a layer of turkey or chicken and ham between them, served warm.” Compared to the modern version, there’s a notable lack of produce, and the sandwich includes ham instead of bacon. But it served as a template for similar sandwiches that caught on at other social clubs, earning it the name we still use today.

Word of this delectable “Union Club sandwich” spread across the country, appearing in the Pittsburgh Dispatch just one day after The Evening World mention: “It differs essentially from any other sandwich made in the town, and is a particular hobby of the club chef and of club men who like a good thing after the theater or just before their final nightcap.” Chefs at other social clubs developed variations of their own, dropping the word “Union” in the process. The Saratoga Club of upstate New York claims to have invented the sandwich in 1894 — five years after the Union Club. While this claim is false, given the timeline, it goes to show the sandwich’s popularity at these exclusive social institutions.

Elements including bacon, lettuce, and mayonnaise were added no later than 1899, appearing in a recipe in the cookbook Salads, Sandwiches and Chafing-Dish Dainties. Tomatoes were also added by the early 20th century, and by that point the sandwich had changed quite a bit since it was introduced. Even still, it maintained the “club” moniker, paying homage to the social institutions where it first became so popular.

There’s nothing wrong with the word “good.” Many English speakers find it to be … well, good. But if you want to expand your vocabulary, here are 50 synonyms that indicate satisfaction, pleasure, and enjoyment. Some would argue these words are better than “good.”

No, it’s not the steak sauce. “A1” describes something in excellent condition. For instance, a car in pristine condition with the latest technology could be called an “A1 vehicle.”

“Adequate,” meaning “made equal to,” is a term from the early 17th century. It refers to something deemed acceptable in the eye of the beholder.

“Admirable” comes from late Middle English and is derived from the Latin admirabilis, meaning “to be wondered at.” It suggests something is deserving of respect and approval.

If something is “all right,” it’s perfectly pleasant or suitable. The word can also be written as “alright” — a spelling that developed widespread use at the end of the 19th century.

In Greek and Roman myth, “ambrosia” was the food of the gods. To say something is “ambrosian” is quite the compliment. The word dates to the mid-16th century and comes from the Greek ambrotos, meaning “immortal.”

If someone or something is “amiable,” they may carry themselves in a friendly, pleasant manner. This current use, influenced by the modern French aimable (meaning “trying to please”), dates to the mid-18th century.

“Brilliant” doesn’t just mean “smart” — it also means “very good” in British English. The word appeared in the late 17th century and comes from the French brillant, meaning “shining.”

If something is “commendable,” it’s worthy of your praise. For instance, someone who keeps their emotions in check shows “commendable restraint.”

If someone is “competent,” they have the skills and knowledge to get the job done. The word comes from the Latin verb competere, meaning “be fit or proper.”

“Cracking” is a synonym for “good” across the pond. British people use this term informally to describe something excellent, such as a “cracking good time” out on the town.

An “estimable” thing is considered good, worthy, and deserving of respect. For instance, an “estimable leader” serves the people well.

“Excellent” originated in late Middle English to denote something very good or very bad. In the early 17th century, it developed an exclusively positive connotation.

If something is a desirable model that sets the standard, it’s considered “exemplary,” representing the best of a certain kind. The term appeared in the late 16th century and comes from the Latin exemplum, meaning “sample” or “imitation.”

The Latin prefix exquisit- means “sought after,” which eventually became the late Middle English term “exquisite.” Today, it implies incredible beauty and class.

“Fab” is a 1960s abbreviation for the word “fabulous,” meaning “wonderful.” “Fabulous” is a late Middle English term derived from the Latin fabulosus, meaning “celebrated in fable.”

The word “fine” implies very good quality, as in “fine dining” and “fine china.” It comes from the Latin finire, meaning “to finish.”

You can thank Colonel Sanders and KFC for popularizing the term “finger-licking.” It means “tasty” and “delicious” — as in, you’ll be left licking the remnants off your fingers, though the term can also be used figuratively.

The term “first-rate” suggests that something is of excellent quality. You can use it to describe a talented musician, a meal that delights the taste buds, and so on.

To say something is “fitting” implies it did a suitable job of meeting expectations. The object in question might not blow you away, but it wasn’t necessarily expected to.

No list would be complete without this common synonym, which is a way to emphasize just how good something is. “Great” comes from the Old English grēat, meaning “big.”

If something is “hale and hearty,” it’s in good, robust condition. “Hale” comes from the Old English hāl, meaning “whole.”

This term first appeared in the U.S. in the mid-19th century. The first part is from the Dutch honk, meaning “home,” though the origins of “dory” are uncertain. The hyphenated phrase suggests that everything is going well.

If you haven’t experienced something firsthand, you may call it “inviting.” This word anticipates something good, luring you in with promise.

“Laudable” objects are worthy of praise for their quality. The word originated in late Middle English from the Latin laudabilis, meaning “praise.”

The word “magnificent” comes from the Latin magnificent-, meaning “making great.” It strongly suggests that something is impressive for its quality or beauty.

“Marvelous” describes anything extremely good or pleasing. If a movie makes you happy, you may review it as “marvelous” — even if it has little to do with Marvel superheroes.

Anything “meritorious” deserves praise. For instance, the heroic actions of a first responder may be considered “meritorious” and worthy of an award.

In the 1840s, the word “OK” developed widespread use as the campaign slogan of President Martin Van Buren. His nickname of “Old Kinderhook” was shortened to “OK” and said as a sign of support: “OK is OK.”

The roof of your mouth is called the “palate,” and if something is “palatable,” then it’s acceptable or satisfactory, whether you eat it or not. This word can also be used to describe food that delights your palate.

Even those born outside the Peach State of Georgia may say “everything is peachy” when things are going well. It’s similar to the phrase “peachy keen,” which was coined in the 1950s.

If something is “peerless,” it’s considered unrivaled, with no peers to compete with its greatness. For example, Albert Einstein may be considered a “peerless theoretical physicist.”

“Piquant” comes from the French for “stinging, biting,” but it has a positive connotation in English. In a restaurant, it refers to a flavor that tingles the taste buds, and it’s also used generally to describe anything that excites the mind.

“Premium” is an early-17th-century word derived from various Latin terms meaning “booty” or “reward.” Something “premium” is regarded as especially good or valuable.

A “prime” steak is of the highest quality. This word expresses excellence, from the Latin prima, meaning “first.”

“Quality” is what we call something that is made well or a job that is done right. The word comes from the Latin qualis, meaning “of such a kind.”

“Rad” is a 1980s slang abbreviation of “radical,” meaning “really good,” as in, “That person’s style is really rad.” “Radical” comes from the Latin for “root.”

“Satisfactory” means “to fulfill all expectations.” This term comes from the Latin word satisfacere, meaning “to content.”

“Scrumptious” is a mid-19th-century term of unknown origin. Despite its mysterious coinage, it now implies something is attractive or tasty.

Across the pond, you may hear “smashing” as informal slang among Brits. It’s used as a synonym for “wonderful.”

“Solid” suggests something is dependable or reliable. You can also say you “did someone a solid,” meaning you helped them out in a good way. It comes from the Latin solidus, related to salvus, meaning “safe.”

The word “splendid” originated in the early 17th century from the French splendide, meaning “shine.” It’s often used to express that something is quite impressive.

“Sterling” refers to former British currency, and as such, it is used to describe any person or thing that’s considered valuable. You may say someone did a “sterling job” if they perform admirably at work.

The word “superb” dates to the 16th century and comes from the Latin superbus, meaning “proud” or “magnificent.” Today, it implies excellence.

The word “superlative” is usually found in high school yearbooks to describe the classmate “most likely to…” do something or another. It refers to something of the highest quality and comes from the Latin superlatus, meaning “carried beyond.”

Though as slang it’s a bit dated, “swell” has been used as an alternative for “very good” since the late 18th century. The word was, and still is, primarily used in North American English.

If something is in “tip-top” condition, it’s of a very high class. A sprinter who outlasts their competitors may be referred to as being in “tip-top shape.”

The word “toothsome” describes a meal that looks tasty, but it’s also used in nonculinary contexts to say someone or something looks good.

“Par” is a golf term for the expected amount of strokes on any given hole. Saying something is “up to par” implies it meets expectations.

“Wonderful” things are generally considered to be pleasurable. The word comes from the late Old English word wunderfull, meaning “full of wonder.”

If something is “worthy,” it merits recognition. The word comes from the Dutch waard, essentially meaning “good enough.”

If you’ve ever used “anxious” when you really meant “eager,” you aren’t alone. Famed novelist Mark Twain favored “anxious” over “eager” dozens of times in his work, as seen in these lines from The Innocents Abroad: “Everybody was anxious to get ashore and visit these classic localities as quickly as possible,” and “Four more of our passengers were anxious to visit Athens.” In both cases, readers can deduce that Twain is describing excitement or anticipation — recognizable as eagerness — and not worry. 

Jane Austen used “anxious” in two contexts in Pride and Prejudice. Here, it means “eager”: “…Elizabeth saw that he was anxious for his sister and herself to get acquainted.” And here, it means “worry”: “Her father was walking about the room, looking grave and anxious.” So were these highly revered authors in error with their word choices? It depends on whom you ask.

Universities and style guides list this duo as one of the most commonly confused false synonyms. The Associated Press Stylebook notes their differences, explaining that “anxious” is for worry or unease, and “eager” is for enthusiastic impatience.

Dictionaries agree: The adjectives have distinct definitions. “Eager” means “wanting to do or have something very much,” while “anxious” is “experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness.” In other words, “eager” is a positive outlook, and “anxious” is a negative one. Someone might say they are “anxious for their upcoming vacation,” but unless they’re afraid of traveling, they probably mean “eager” because they’re excited. A more appropriate use would be feeling “anxious for the upcoming flight.” 

However, “anxious” also can be used in the sense of wanting something, similar to “eager,” as in, “We left early, anxious to avoid the storm” — because it carries negative connotations. This usage might have contributed to writers’ mix-ups, inserting “anxious” for any type of desire, even a positive one.

In another twist, “eager” has an archaic definition that comes from the Old French aigre, meaning “keen,” which comes from the Latin acer, relating to something “sharp” or “pungent.” In Middle English, “eager” could be used to mean “harsh,” “fierce,” “sour,” or “sharp,” as seen in Shakespeare’s Richard II: “The bitter clamour of two eager tongues.” While this usage is outdated, it might have fueled the fire of the “eager”/”anxious” confusion. “Anxious,” on the other hand, has remained the same for centuries, originating from the Latin anxius, from angere, meaning “to choke” — aptly suggestive of the physical sensation from the tension of anxiety. 

So, the next time you’re caught in anticipation, ask yourself how it feels: exciting or nerve-wracking? While choosing the correct word might please grammarians, you’re in good company if you slip up by employing “anxious” to mean “eager with excitement.” 

For as common as they are, pants share an unusual linguistic phenomenon with glasses, scissors, and other singular objects we refer to in the plural. Some say the phrase “pair of pants” is derived from how early styles were manufactured, while others point to a grammatical phenomenon known as plurale tantum.

Tracing the former, in ancient times, some leg coverings were composed of two individual segments joined together. This was true in the case of Ötzi the Iceman — a mummy from circa 3300 BCE who was discovered wearing two individual leather leggings knotted into one. While not every pair of leg coverings was made this way, this style continued well into the 19th century, as evidenced by the two-piece pantalets that some girls wore as undergarments. 

Some point to this as the origin of the phrase “pair of pants,” referring to the multiple pant legs that once made up a single unit. “Shirt,” on the other hand, is singular because those garments were usually made from a single piece of fabric. These are just theories — albeit plausible ones — and it’s difficult to definitively track the exact origins.

What we can say for certain is that the word “pants” is what’s known in Latin as plurale tantum, meaning “plural only.” This grammatical term references any noun used only in its plural form (e.g., pants, scissors, glasses). Nouns that fall into this category appear to be made of multiple components — take, for instance, the two legs of your standard pair of pants, or the two sharp prongs that make up a pair of scissors. But despite this visual perception, nouns that can be called plurale tantum are really one piece in practice.

At the end of the day, while we all put our pants on one leg at a time, there remain some unanswerable questions about the origins of a “pair of pants.” It may have to do with how they were once manufactured, or it may be nothing more than a grammatical quirk.

You may be long past the days of cramming for exams, but you can still test your knowledge. The SAT format and scoring have changed over the decades, but many of the same vocabulary words reliably show up in the Reading and Writing section, year after year. Whether you’re looking to flex your test-taking muscles or curious about how much you remember from your school days, let’s revisit the vocabulary terms that continue to challenge students today.

Adulation

It’s a close cousin to “adoration,” but more effusive. Save your adulation for the dreamiest movie stars or the cutest puppies.

Antipathy

“Antipathy” means “a strong sense of dislike.” It’s a good word to describe a movie you didn’t like, or a person who rubs you the wrong way.

Assiduous

We hope you’re studying this list assiduously. This adjective describes showing great care and perseverance.

Conditional

Nope, it’s not the rinse after your shampoo. It’s an adjective for a situation when something is dependent on another situation or condition. The word “conditional” might also pop up in grammar sections of standardized testing.

Didactic

The adjective “didactic” means “educational or instructive.” Importantly, it includes the concept of moralizing.

Digression

Don’t get distracted — a digression is a temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing. If you feel yourself going on a digression, pause and regain your focus.

Efficacy

“Efficacy” means “effectiveness.” While shorter, this is a more formal, clinical way to address results.

Exculpate

“Exculpate” means “to exonerate or vindicate.” You’re likely to hear this on your favorite legal drama.

Impute

You should impute where credit is due — that is, attribute it. But instead of giving credit for a great idea, “impute” is often used for more negative attributions.

Inchoate

“Inchoate” means “rudimentary,” or describes something in a project’s beginning stages.

Nonchalant

Don’t be nervous — try to remain nonchalant. This adjective means “casually unbothered or indifferent.” Maybe something will happen, but maybe it won’t.

Salubrious

“Salubrious” means “health promoting.” It can also describe something wholesome and warm-hearted.

Sedulous

“Sedulous” means “persevering and constant.” It can also mean “dedicated and careful.”