Chapter 1
Secrets hidden in our food
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Chapter 2
Words born from ancient myths
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Chapter 3
Words created by accident
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Chapter 4
Global travelers in English
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YOUR GOAL
Master of The secret life of words
Ch 1 · Secrets hidden in our food
schopenhauer Origin of Cappuccino
Cappuccino, cappuccino, Named after a Capuchin monk!
schopenhauer The word 'companion' literally translates to someone you share bread with, reflecting ancient communal eating habits.
Fun Fact
Avocado trees: Avocado trees require cross-pollination and often grow in pairs, which further reinforced the Aztec name for the fruit.
schopenhauer Ketchup was originally a fermented fish sauce from southern China, containing absolutely no tomatoes.
Glossary
sycophant (noun)
A person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage. This term originally meant 'fig-shower,' referring to ancient Greeks who reported the illegal smuggling of sacred figs.
A person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage. This term originally meant 'fig-shower,' referring to ancient Greeks who reported the illegal smuggling of sacred figs.
Quiz
What animal's song is the word 'tragedy' literally named after in ancient Greek?
schopenhauer Match bizarre word origins to discover the surprising history of everyday language.
Quiz
Which of these popular food words is named after an 18th-century English aristocrat who did not want to leave his gambling table?
Quiz
What was the primary ingredient in the original Chinese sauce that became ketchup?