Chapter 1
Secrets hidden in our food
Chapter 2
Words born from ancient myths
Chapter 3
Words created by accident
Chapter 4
Global travelers in English
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.
schopenhauer Ketchup was originally a fermented fish sauce from southern China, containing absolutely no tomatoes.
BETA
schopenhauer Match bizarre word origins to discover the surprising history of everyday language.
Fun Fact
Avocado trees: Avocado trees require cross-pollination and often grow in pairs, which further reinforced the Aztec name for the fruit.
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?
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?