In A Midsumer Night's Dream, Titania describes her quarrel with Oberon as disrupting the natural world, causing mists to pull water from the sea and flood rivers, which she personifies as becoming "proud and arrogant." This video...

Before the advent of modern chemistry in the 19th century, one of the most unusual natural coloring agents was a red dye made by grinding up the bodies of insects living on cacti in Central America. This dye was known as "purple in...

In the Bible, anointing is a sacred ceremony marking someone or something as chosen by God, typically involving the pouring of oil. In A Midsummer Night's Dream, Robin humorously references this practice in his plan to apply a love...

Tthe word nymph derives from the latin verb "nubrey," to mary in ancient latin. The word, "nymph" referred to a woman who was ready to marry because she had reached sexual maturity. In medieval English, however, nymph was used to refer...

The word "adamant" originates from the Latin word "aramas," meaning a hard stone, and has evolved to denote anything unbreakable. In Shakespeare's era, "adamant" specifically referred to a lodestone or naturally occurring magnet,...

The term "vestal" originates from Vesta, an ancient Roman goddess, and was initially associated with the Vestal Virgins who served her temple in Rome, pledging thirty years of chastity. By Shakespeare's time, "vestal" had broadened to...

The term "henchman" originates from the German word "hangst," meaning a male horse, and initially described a servant who walked beside the king or noblemen while they rode their horses. By Shakespeare's time, it referred to boys and...

In Shakespeare's era, "pensioners" referred to a group of noblemen closely associated with the English monarch, forming an honor guard and receiving a pension for their service. These gentleman pensioners were known for their extravagant...

In Shakespeare's time, excessive rain posed as much risk to agriculture and livestock as drought did, leading to crop rot, washaways, and livestock drowning. This not only affected farmers negatively but also disrupted recreational...

Learn how the expression "hold or cut bowstrings" traces back to medieval warfare tactics. At that time, archers often had to quickly decide whether to stand their ground and continue shooting or retreat and cut their bowstrings to...

Explore the many ways Shakespeare creatively names his characters to reflect their respective trades. For example, "Quince the carpenter" refers to a carpentry tool, while "Snug the joiner" is a cabinet maker.

The word "mew" originates from the Latin word "mutate," which means to change, and is the root of the English word "mutate." However, "mew" is specifically used to describe the molting process of a bird. This term has been extended...

The term "triumph" originally comes from the Latin "triumpus," signifying the highest honor bestowed by the Roman Empire for a significant military victory. By Shakespeare's era, "triumph" had evolved to denote any public celebration, as...

In affirming her love for Lysander, Hermia swears by two symbols from ancient mythology. The doves represent lifelong marriage and fidelity due to their portrayal alongside Venus, the goddess of love. The fire that burned Dido, the...

This video explores the etymology and historical context of the use of the word "gaud," relating it to a Latin word "gaudere," meaning to rejoice, and its association with a special kind of bead on a Catholic Rosary. It also touches on...

When did we start defining sexual orientation and how did that result in "straight" becoming a synonym for "heterosexual"? Today Danielle follows the winding history of the word through medical terms, lavender linguistics, and community...

Language is constantly changing and ethnonyms are no exception. From "Negro" to "Colored" and "African American" to "Black," the people and cultures of African origin living in the United States have had many names. Today Danielle looks...

This video explores the linguistic phenomenon of egg corns, which are misheard versions of terms that have become popularized. The term "eggcorn" was coined by linguists to describe these quirky mishearings, which often make their own...

“Etymology” describes the way to research and determine the origins of words.

In this video, John Dunn from Cambridge University delves into the etymology of the word democracy, highlighting its evolution and historical significance. By tracing the word's origins and changes over time, Dunn emphasizes the contrast...

Historian David Armitage, University of Harvard, relates how examining the historical evolution of key terms and phrases can uncover the many sedimented meanings associated with them, thereby pointing the way to deeper historical...

Intellectual historian Darrin McMahon (Dartmouth) details how investigating the etymology of "genius" naturally led him to a deeper understanding of what he had previously thought was primarily an 18th-century phenomenon.

Historian David Armitage (Harvard) describes the importance of trying to unpack the various layers of meanings that have accrued to words and concepts over the course of history.

On this episode of Nature League, Brit investigates how the nurse shark and other species got their intriguing English names. Written, edited, and presented by: Brit Garner Graphics and illustrations by: Tamar Ziri Original concept art:...