The Christian holiday of Easter is commonly assumed to have a connection to a pagan spring festival, but that may be a myth. The truth lies in the etymology of “spring.”
Easter is considered the most important festival in the Christian calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Christ, however the the word “Easter” itself didn’t begin with Christianity. There are a few potential origin stories.. It’s often said that Easter was named after a pagan fertility goddess — but the truth behind that is not nearly as settled as some believe.
The pagan fertility goddess theory comes from the work of the eighth-century Anglo-Saxon monk and scholar known as the Venerable Bede. In his Medieval Latin treatise De temporum ratione (“The Reckoning of Time”), Bede wrote that the English word “Easter” was derived from Eostre (or Eostrae), the name of an Anglo-Saxon goddess possibly associated with spring and fertility, in whose honor feasts were celebrated during the springtime.
Modern scholars, however, have questioned that claim. Encyclopaedia Britannica notes, “In the modern era the connection between Eostre and spring has been disputed; she may have been a local protective deity rather than a fertility figure.” The Oxford English Dictionary extends the dispute: “This explanation is not confirmed by any other source, and the goddess has been suspected by some scholars to be an invention of Bede’s.”
The problem is that Eostre is not mentioned in any other ancient writing, and there appear to be no shrines, altars, or documents testifying to her worship. It’s possible that Bede extrapolated the name of a goddess from the Old English name for the month of April, Ēastermōnað, potentially because some figure was celebrated during that month, and he wanted to name it.
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So why do we call the Christian holiday Easter? In modern scholarly circles, there is now widespread consensus that the word comes from in albis, an ancient Latin phrase that is understood as the plural of alba (“dawn”). When it became connected to the Christian celebration of the resurrection of Christ, the word went through a transformation to become eostarum in Old High German, which later changed again to become the modern German Ostern and the English “Easter.”In other words, the name Easter may simply reflect, etymologically, the dawning of spring, during which the Christian resurrection festival fell — without the influence of any pagan goddess. The exact date of Easter changes every year, as it is celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon after the northern spring equinox.
There’s no such thing as “rebeccafoolery” or “stevefoolery,” but you’ve probably heard of something called “tomfoolery” — a concept with mysterious medieval origins.
The comedy world is riddled with riotous Toms, including Tom Segura and Tom Smothers (of the Smothers Brothers). But as funny as these comedians’ antics are, the general concept of tomfoolery is even goofier. Merriam-Webster defines “tomfoolery” as “playful or foolish behavior,” a usage that originated around 1812. But the tale of “tomfoolery” began centuries earlier, back in the Middle Ages.
In the 14th century, the name “Thome Fole” referred to a court jester performing at the Durham Abbey in northern England. It’s unclear if “Thome Fole” was the performer’s given or stage name, or simply a generic moniker applied to jesters and other silly-minded court performers of the time.
We do know that as Middle English evolved into Modern English in the mid-17th century, the spelling of “Thome Fole” became “tomfool.” At first, “tomfool” was primarily used as a noun referring to “a great fool,” but by the mid-18th century it came to be used as an adjective meaning “extremely foolish,” as in “that was a tomfool stunt.”
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By 1812, a new word was coined based on those earlier related terms: “tomfoolery.” In English, an “-ery” suffix can establish a few things in a noun. It can indicate the general character of something (“snobbery”), an art or practice (“trickery”), a place for doing something (“bakery”), or a collection of something (“greenery”). In the case of “tomfoolery,” it emphasizes a state of someone or something behaving foolishly.
The Oxford English Dictionary points to an 1812 citation in a book of parodies titled Rejected Addresses by English authors James and Horace Smith: “Round let us bound for this is Punch’s holiday, Glory to Tomfoolery, huzza! huzza!” It wasn’t long before “tomfoolery” superseded “tomfool” as the preferred terminology. We see it reflect the same meaning in Harper’s Magazine in 1883 (“There was contemptuous chuckling at the sentimental tomfoolery of philanthropic busybodies”) and in The Guardian in 2015 (“It’s no wonder that tickets for their sketches, anecdotes, and general tomfoolery are selling out”).
Aphorisms are short, memorable, or witty statements that express some moral principle or universal truth. “Blood is thicker than water,” for example, is an aphorism suggesting that family ties are the strongest kind. But is that the full story? Some suggest that this saying was originally longer and meant the opposite: “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.” But don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Here’s the real story behind the most common aphorisms used today, including those with historical origins and those that have been debunked.
Aphorism: “Blood is thicker than water.”
What you may have heard: “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.”
The verdict: False
“Blood is thicker than water” is a popular expression that means a person’s familial bonds are more important than any other ties. Early written evidence of this phrasing comes from a 1737 collection of Scottish proverbs, but the phrase likely dates back almost a millennium, perhaps to a 12th-century German epic, Reinhart Fuchs (Reynard the Fox), by Heinrich der Glîchezære: “I also hear it said, kin-blood is not spoiled by water.”
But a longer version has circulated with more formal phrasing that has led some people to believe it’s older: “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.” If this were the original expression, it would reverse the meaning, instead suggesting that bonds formed by choice are stronger than blood relations. Despite its popularity, there is no historical evidence of this longer version dating back as far as the shorter version. Instead, it seems to be a modern alteration, appearing in the 1990s to support a different point of view.
Aphorism: “Life is short.”
What you may have heard: “Life is short, and Art long; the crisis fleeting; experience perilous, and decision difficult.”
The verdict: True
The simple three-word phrase above is a classic aphorism about the truth of human existence and taking opportunities when they arise. The word “aphorism” comes from ancient Greece, where it appeared in Hippocrates’ bookAphorisms (400 BCE). The book presented principles of diagnosis and treatment of disease — and also helped establish what we define as an aphorism today.
The work opens with the lines “Life is short, and Art long; the crisis fleeting; experience perilous, and decision difficult.” It describes the arduous process of learning the skill of practicing medicine. While this expansion doesn’t necessarily change the meaning of the more popular, shortened aphorism, it does change the tone, giving it urgency and gravity. The expression has since spread far beyond medicine.
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Aphorism: “Jack-of-all-trades, master of none.”
What you may have heard: “A jack-of-all-trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”
The verdict: False
A jack-of-all-trades is known for being versatile and good at a variety of things. The term has been used in English since the 1600s, but the aphorism appeared roughly a century later, suggesting that this versatility can be a hindrance because the person doesn’t have the time or ability to master any one task when they’re juggling so many. An early written version of the phrase dates to a 1721 Boston newsletter: “Jack of all Trades; and it would seem, Good at none.”
Today, an extension is sometimes tacked on: “A jack-of-all-trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” This flips the original meaning, suggesting that being a jack-of-all-trades is better than mastering only one skill. While it is a compelling twist, there is no historical documentation of this 21st-century invention.
Aphorism: “Money is the root of all evil.”
What you may have heard: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.”
The verdict: True
A widely used English expression, “Money is the root of all evil,” is actually a misquotation of the Bible verse 1 Timothy 6:10: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” This verse criticizes greed, not money itself, which alters the meaning of the popular phrase. It blames people’s actions and unethical behavior rather than money or financial institutions.
Even in the earliest written versions of the Bible, the expression remains the same: “Loue to money..is worthi to be forborn..as Poul seith, it is ‘the roote of al yuel’” (1449). Another early version, featured in a collection of Catholic texts from 1564, reads, “The covetousness of money is the root of all evil.” By the 18th century, the shortened version, “Money is the root of all evil,” began appearing in print outside of biblical contexts.
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Aphorism: “Great minds think alike.”
What you may have heard: “Great minds think alike, though fools seldom differ.”
The verdict: Partially accurate
“Great minds think alike” suggests that intelligent people arrive at the same conclusion independently, though it’s often used in modern English as a humorous way to acknowledge shared or simultaneous ideas. It first appeared in Bouhours’ Arts of Logick & Rhetorick (1728), a book on communication: “Great minds often think alike on the same occasions.”
The phrase was later expanded to include “though fools seldom differ,” a humorous caution against conformity or groupthink. Though entertaining and popular, this version was not the original. Its first print appearance may date to a February 1932 newspaper article from Saskatchewan, Canada: “Great minds think alike; fools seldom differ.”
What you may have heard: “Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.”
The verdict: Partially accurate
“Curiosity killed the cat” suggests that some things are better left unquestioned. The expression has been used in English since at least the mid-19th century, originally as an Irish English proverb. The extended version, including “but satisfaction brought it back,” isn’t the original, but it was featured in a Pennsylvania newspaper in 1912. The full expression suggests that finding the truth makes the risk worthwhile.
But there’s more to this story: “Curiosity killed the cat” stems from an older expression, “Care killed the cat,” which dates to the mid-16th century. In this context, “care” refers to worry or sorrow for others. It first appeared in print inEvery Man in His Humour (1598), written by the English playwright Ben Jonson: “Helterskelter, hang sorrow, care’ll kill a cat, up-tails all, and a louse for the hangman.” One year later, it appeared in Shakespeare’sMuch Ado About Nothing: “What, courage, man! What though care killed a cat?” By the late 19th century, this version disappeared, and “curiosity” became the more popular form of the expression.
In an English translation of a poem by the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi, the speaker observes, “Inside each of us, there’s continual autumn. Our leaves fall and are blown out over the water.” The poem emphasizes cycles of transformation and growth, akin to the changing seasons. Here, “continual” refers to a recurring event: autumn. The adjective is often used this way, as a synonym for “recurring,” to describe something that happens frequently or cyclically, with pauses in between.
The term “continual” has two uses: first, as a reappearing action or event (as described above), and second, as something that continues indefinitely without interruption. The latter definition is quite old, dating to the 14th century. But can a similar word — “continuous” — take the place of “continual”? In certain contexts, yes.
“Continual” and “continuous” sometimes overlap in meaning, both deriving from the Latincontinuus, meaning “joining, connecting with something; following one after another.” “Continuous” also describes an action that continues indefinitely, though it emerged later, in the 17th century. By etymology standards, either word can describe uninterrupted action or events.
However, since the mid-19th century, many commentators have recommended distinguishing the two, favoring “continuous” for a nonstop action and “continual” for repeated actions with pauses. Consider this example: Rain might fall continuously (the adverb form) during a long storm, but continual showers occur again and again throughout the wet season.
So, when describing an action that recurs with interruptions or in cycles, as seen in Rumi’s poem, the preferred term is “continual.” For something nonstop, use “continuous.” While the two words share historical overlap, being mindful of this distinction can improve your writing.
There’s no shortage of words to describe a person’s physical appearance. But don’t settle for repeating the same old adjectives — here are some options to expand your vocabulary.
When describing someone’s appearance, you might refer to their build as athletic or their facial structure as handsome. And while these familiar adjectives are effective, they are also relatively generic and don’t paint a very detailed picture.
Instead of defaulting to the same old descriptors, it’s worth broadening your vocabulary by adding a few more expressive and interesting alternatives. Here’s a look at 10 appearance adjectives to give your verbal portraiture more color and specificity.
Sanguine
In relation to physical appearance, the word “sanguine” is defined by Merriam-Webster as “having a healthy red complexion.” It’s often associated with a cheerful temperament — think Santa and his rosy cheeks. “Sanguine” was coined in the 14th century from the Latin sanguis, meaning “blood.” It’s also related to a common belief from the Middle Ages that having well-balanced levels of blood resulted in being strong and confident and boasting a healthy reddish glow. While science has since disproved this, the idea gave us “sanguine,” which remains in use today.
Fastidious
English speakers have been using “fastidious” since the mid-15th century, though it now has a different meaning than the Latin from which it’s derived. It comes from the word fastidium, meaning “aversion or disgust.” In fact, “fastidious” once meant that something was disgusting. But over time the adjective shed that unsavory connotation, and we now use it to describe something “excessively careful or detailed.” As an example, you might refer to someone who takes great pride in their personal grooming routine as fastidious, especially if they carefully shape their beard or always wear perfectly pressed clothes.
Patrician
In a very literal sense, a patrician was a member of the original families of ancient Rome. But since 1533, the word has been used as a more figurative adjective to describe physical features that give the impression of nobility. For instance, prominent cheekbones and a furrowed brow are considered patrician, as they’re similar to the characteristics seen on ancient Roman statues depicting great statesmen and others of high rank.
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Pulchritudinous
If someone is drop-dead gorgeous, they could aptly be described as pulchritudinous. While the sound of it doesn’t quite match the meaning, this adjective is derived from the Latin pulcher, meaning “beautiful.” The noun version, “pulchritude,” dates to around 1400, but according to the Online Etymology Dictionary, it was made into an adjective more recently. “Pulchritudinous” was coined in 1840 in a humorous piece found in a Boston-area newspaper.
Voluminous
“Voluminous,” from the Latin volumen, dates to the early 17th century. The Latin wordreferred to a rolled-up wreath with writing on it and later came to describe works that contained many written volumes — nothing to do with appearance. Today it’s defined as anything “marked by great volume or bulk,” including the luscious locks found on a thick head of hair, or the impressive muscles of a bodybuilder.
Aquiline
In Latin, the word aquila means “eagle” — a bird defined, in part, by its lengthy, hooked beak. By the late 16th century, this gave rise to the term “aquiline,” used to describe any human with a nose possessing a broad curve and slight hook, much like an eagle’s beak.
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Glabrous
If someone is bald or just returned from the spa after getting a fresh wax, they could be described as glabrous. This term, meaning “having a surface without hairs,” has been used in that context since 1640. It comes from the Latin glaber, which translates to “bald.” The word is also frequently used in more clinical scientific contexts, in reference to skin that was never covered with hair to begin with.
Alabaster
The word “alabaster” means “usually white and translucent gypsum often carved into vases and ornaments.” While that usage has been around since the 14th century, a more figurative definition came about in the 1570s, according to the Online Etymology Dictionary. People began using “alabaster” in reference to pale, smooth skin with a similar texture and tone to those alabaster vases and ornaments.
“Euryprosopic” describes a short, broad face, derived from the Greek words eury (meaning “wide”) and prosōpon (“face”). It’s the opposite of “leptoprosopic” — a term for a person with a long, narrow face (lepto is Greek for “thin” or “slender”).
The terms “white-collar” and “blue-collar” describe more than a type of shirt. Let’s examine how these similar terms originated in the early 20th century.
An office dress code might include guidelines for the formality of dress, along with any restrictions on attire, such as “no shorts” or “no open-toed shoes.” Some jobs even require uniforms — for example, you’re likely to see matching coveralls in a mechanic’s shop or the same polo shirts worn by salespeople in a big-box store.
The terms “white-collar” and “blue-collar” pertain to occupations but don’t refer to the required clothing for a job. Instead, they indicate the type of job by referring to traditional clothing, even if that’s not what today’s workers wear.
Calling someone a white-collar worker implies their duties are conducted in an office setting. A blue-collar worker, on the other hand, is found in the trades and doing manual labor. These opposing terms are often used in connection with each other, but one’s origins predate the other’s by nearly two decades.
Merriam-Webster traces the first known use of “white-collar” to 1911 and defines it as “constituting the class of salaried employees whose duties do not call for the wearing of work clothes” — in other words, workers who don’t perform manual labor and don’t require durable work uniforms. Historically, these workers usually wore clothes that were better suited for an office environment. When the term originated, most white-collar workers were men, wearing traditional button-up shirts with collars.
The term “blue-collar” originated in 1929, though the reason for the 18-year gap isn’t entirely clear. It refers to “the class of wage earners whose duties call for the wearing of work clothes.” At the time it was coined, farm or factory workers required durable uniforms that could withstand the rigors of their jobs. These uniforms were often made from materials such as denim or chambray, which were traditionally colored blue (though also came in other dark shades). Such outfits gave rise to “blue-collar,” posing a stark contrast to the extant “white-collar.” Today’s blue-collar workers include plumbers, electricians, mechanics, construction workers, and anyone else in a trade or factory setting.
As office dress codes changed, these terms took on a less literal meaning. They’re mainly used today to describe whether jobs take place in an office setting or require manual labor, irrespective of the actual clothes being worn. The terms can also describe socioeconomic conditions, as there’s a (flawed) stereotype of white-collar workers earning higher wages and having better educations than those working blue-collar professions. On the other hand, blue-collar workers have acquired the reputation of being “dependable and hard-working rather than showy or spectacular” (according to a secondary definition from Merriam-Webster), and we hear about white-collar crimes in the news, so both terms can be used in positive and negative contexts.
The phrase “bald-faced lie” is widely used, but some people say “bold-faced” instead. A look at the expression’s history shows how both forms entered the language.
When someone tells a blatant, shameless lie, we sometimes call it out as being a “bald-faced lie.” But hang on: Should it be “bold-faced” instead? As it happens, both are acceptable in modern English, although linguistic purists might argue that “bald-faced” is more appropriate, simply because it’s closer to the expression’s etymological origin.
The original expression was actually “barefaced lie.” The word “barefaced,” initially meaning “beardless” or “unmasked” — literally having the face uncovered — has been around since at least 1600. The word then evolved to mean, metaphorically, “open” or “unconcealed.” A barefaced lie, therefore, was one told without disguise or shame — as brazen as showing your naked face.
Early uses of “bald-faced” appear in the mid-18th century, with exactly the same meaning as “barefaced” — understandably, as they carry a similar usage. “Bald-faced” became common in the U.S. during the 1800s and onward. By the late 20th century, the alternative “bold-faced lie” popped up. While some dismiss it as a mistake, “bold-faced” has its own legitimate history. Since Shakespeare’s time (it appears in Henry VI, Part 1), “bold-faced” has meant “shameless” or “impudent” — as in someone with a confident face or look — which perfectly describes a person brazen enough to tell an obvious lie. (Remove the hyphen and “boldface” becomes a noun for text printed in a bold typeface.)
But Shakespeare’s usage might not tell the full story. Merriam-Webster suggests that the “bold” phrase may have gained popularity in the late-1900s partly due to confusion with boldface type in newspapers, where “boldface” literally referred to text printed in thick, attention-grabbing letters. The evidence is inconclusive, but the similarities do make a connection seem probable.
Today, editors prefer “bald-faced lie,” but “bold-faced lie” is widely used and understood. “Barefaced lie” is not as common, although you may hear it more often in Britain. So, whether you use “bald,” “bold,” or “bare,” you’re technically correct. All three convey the same meaning: a shameless, obvious falsehood. But if you want to play it safe, stick with “bald-faced.”
If English spelling feels inconsistent, you’re not imagining it. The quirks of the language trace back through centuries of history that still shape the words we write today.
When we’re in kindergarten, or perhaps even preschool, we start learning about the sounds the letters of the alphabet make. Vowels are big and open, “S” has a hissing sound, and “D,” “B,” “T,” and other consonants have firm, confident sounds. Then we start to put those letters together to make words, using the principles of phonetics. But as we learn to read, we inevitably come across words that don’t fit standard phonetic rules. For example, the “B” is silent in “doubt,” and “through,” “though,” “tough,” and “thought” don’t rhyme, despite their similar spellings.
Why do some English words have spellings and pronunciations that seem at odds? Answering that linguistic question requires a history lesson, or several history lessons: on the impacts of the Norman Conquest, the invention of the printing press, the Great Vowel Shift, a spelling fad to Latinize English words, and the multitude of loanwords English adopted from other languages.
The Norman Conquest
In 1066, forces of Normandy, a province of northern France, overthrew the government of England, led by William the Conqueror. As a result of the Norman Conquest, thousands of French words entered the English lexicon, mainly focused on law, government, nobility, and culture.
French spelling is inconsistent with English spelling, and so many of the words from that time period are spelled in ways that don’t match the phonetic rules we’re used to.
Here are some examples of English words with French influence: court, parliament, castle, servant, fashion, attorney, council, bailiff, chancellor, soldier, dungeon, siege, sergeant, guard, poultry, veal, biscuit, fashion, mirror, castle, clothes, and cuisine.
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Invention of the Printing Press and the Great Vowel Shift
In the mid-15th century, Johannes Gutenberg invented the mechanical movable type printing press, enabling the mass production of books, increasing literacy, and revolutionizing information sharing in Europe. William Caxton then introduced the printing press to England in 1476.
As a result of the invention of the printing press, printers, rather than scribes, determined the spelling of words, and they sought to standardize these spellings.
Around this same time and for two centuries thereafter, the pronunciation of English words changed in what is known as the Great Vowel Shift.
That shift, with vowels pronounced higher in the mouth, likely occurred as a result of a mixing of regional dialects, the rising middle class in London, and increased contact with French and Latin. Even though spoken English evolved, the spelling of words after the invention of the printing press did not.
As a consequence, the pronunciation of English words became unmoored from their spelling. That’s why, for example, reading aloud Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales (published from 1387 to 1400) sounds so foreign to our ears. The main difference between Chaucer’s language (Middle English) and our modern English is the pronunciation of the “long” vowels. For example, in Middle English, “sheep” sounded like our word “shape,” “read” sounded like “raid,” and “loaf” sounded like “lawf.”
By the end of the Great Vowel Shift, those words were pronounced the way we pronounce them now, yet the spelling of the words remained frozen in time. The Great Vowel Shift is a primary reason for the mismatch between modern English spelling and pronunciation.
There were so many disjunctions between English spelling and pronunciation that in the 16th century attempts were made to reform English spellings. For example, in 1569, linguist John Hart devised a new phonetic alphabet to remedy what he considered a fatal flaw in our language system. His philosophy was that “we write as we speak” and “the writing shuld have so mani Letters, as the pronunciation neadeth of voices, and no more, or lesse.” (It didn’t catch on.)
In a more successful spelling revolution, American lexicographer Noah Webster published The American Spelling Book in 1783, followed by the American Dictionary of the English Language in 1828, which established notable differences between British and American English spelling. Webster’s primary aim was to standardize spelling in accordance with pronunciation, and as a result, he created a uniquely American set of vocabulary. Changes include omitting the “u” in “ou” words such as “colour/color” and “honour/honor,” and turning words such as “travelled” and “defence” into “traveled” and “defense.”
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Latinization Fad
In the 15th century, some printers added letters to words to reflect their Latin roots. To this day, those letters remain silent. Here’s a sampling, capitalizing the added letter and referencing the Latin root (in which the added letter would have been pronounced): deBt (debitum), douBt (dubitare), musCle (musculus), iSland (insula), receiPt (receptus), saLmon (salmo), reiGn (regnum), columN (columna), solemN (sollemnis), autumN (autumnus), soLder (solidare), and indiCt (indictare).
Printers did the same with Greek-based words. Some examples: asthma (in English originally asma) from the Greek asthma;diarrhea (in English originally diaria) from the Greek diarrhoia; and phlegm (in English originally fleme) from the Greek phlegma.
About 80% of the English lexicon consists of loanwords from over 350 other languages. As a result, the spellings of many of those words don’t match their pronunciation. For maximum effect, read these words aloud, contrasting the phonetics with the spelling:
From French: bouillon, vinaigrette, protégé, ballet, bouquet, boutique, silhouette, etiquette, faux pas, hors d’oeuvres, and rendezvous.
From German: dachshund, pinochle, kindergarten, doppelganger, zeitgeist, kitsch, poltergeist, sauerkraut, Rottweiler, wiener, leitmotif, and schadenfreude.
From Spanish: burrito, mosquito, guerrilla, vigilante, coyote, daiquiri, guacamole, marijuana, merengue, mojito, peccadillo, piñata, quesadilla, tequila, and tortilla.
From Native American languages: caribou, moccasin, raccoon, succotash, toboggan, papoose, jicama, llama, quinoa, buccaneer, canoe, and piranha.
From Asian languages: emoji, tycoon, kudzu, bonsai, karate, shiitake, chow mein, ketchup, and kumquat.
The English language is a melting pot of influences, seen clearly through spelling. It can be tricky to remember all the rules and exceptions, but when you dig into the etymology of every outlier word, you uncover a piece of history.
When you’re exploring new movements in the gym, you come across words that represent a lot of different cultures. Why are certain exercises named after nationalities, and how do exercises get their names?
Starting a regular gym routine means learning both new skills and new lingo. While it’s easy to understand “run,” “squat,” and “lift,” certain other activities have bewilderingly specific nicknames.
Some exercises use creative names to describe the movement. A donkey kick involves kicking out the leg as a donkey kicks their hind legs, for example. A farmer’s carry mimics the action of a farmer carrying heavy buckets at their side. But there’s another category of exercise: those named after countries or other locations. It’s hard to tell exactly what these exercises are from their names alone, so let’s take a trip to the gym.
When you’re working with weights, you might encounter a Romanian deadlift. A regular deadlift is a classic weight-lifting move that involves bending over and lifting a heavy weight from the ground before setting it back down. Romanian Olympian Nicu Vlad (the 1984 to 1996 games) invented his own training exercise that looks similar to the deadlift, but it starts from the standing position. The weight lifter bends over with the weight and then straightens up again. The main difference from the deadlift is that the weight is not put on the ground between reps with the Romanian deadlift. The exercise isn’t limited to Romanians, but other weight lifters copied the Romanian strongman’s style and started calling the movement the Romanian deadlift.
In the same sort of attribution, the Bulgarian split squat is named for Bulgarian fitness coach Angel Spassov. The exact origin of the exercise is unknown, but the coach introduced it to the United States in the 1980s. It’s a difficult movement: Keep the front foot flat on the ground and elevate the back foot on a block. Then lunge as usual and feel the burn. The difficulty of this exercise can be amped up by holding a weight in each hand.
Russian twists, meanwhile, are a seated core exercise that involves twisting from side to side and touching the ground next to the hips. Holding a weighted medicine ball will make this one more difficult. The exercise came to be associated with the country because of public displays of exercise by Russian athletes during the Cold War — the exercise is also called “Russian twist” in the Russian language.
The next time you’re at the gym, take a moment to appreciate the melting pot of influences. The fitness journey takes us around the world because so many athletes have innovated how to build strength.
Gobbledegook, nonsense, babble — we have a lot of ways to explain unintelligible chatter. But when did we start telling people they were talking gibberish?
In 1799 a French military officer made a discovery in Egypt that would become a powerful tool for unlocking previously indecipherable language. He uncovered a large slab of black granite, inscribed in Egyptian and Greek, using three different writing systems: hieroglyphics, the Greek alphabet, and a cursive form of hieroglyphics.
The Rosetta Stone (named for the town near where it was discovered) was a major moment in archaeology because it provided a key for hieroglyphics, a language that was previously gibberish to Europeans.
The word “gibberish” refers to a few different types of miscommunication. It can be unintelligible speech, an unknown dialect, a highly technical way of speaking, or needlessly pretentious language. In its root verb form, “gibber” (or “jibber”) means “to speak rapidly, inarticulately, and often foolishly.” It’s imitative, meaning it comes from the sound it denotes. Essentially, calling someone’s speech “gibberish” means there’s a disconnect. A synonym, “jabber,” derives from Middle English. Morphologists think it could be an onomatopoeia, reflecting the sound of garbled speech.
We can trace the first use of “gibberish” back to the 16th-century English morality play Interlude of Youth, which followed an unnamed youth’s growth from irresponsible behavior to becoming a serious adult. “Gibberish” would have been an apt word to describe the foolish speech of youth.
Nowadays, “gibberish” is used more often in the context of nonsensical communication, both in speech and in evolving digital media. Someone might share a file that gets corrupted in the exchange, and the result is gibberish. Or try talking to a toddler — good luck understanding their gibberish. Communication has evolved since the days of the Rosetta Stone translations, but gibberish can still prevent messages from getting across.
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