Digest

This episode features a bonus conversation with Jess Zafaris, co-host of "Words Unraveled" and author of "Useless Etymology." The discussion delves into the surprising origins of words like "mini," which stems from medieval manuscript illumination rather than size, and "factoid," coined by Norman Mailer to describe fabricated, manipulative information akin to "fake news." The etymology of "gasoline" is traced from John Cassell's "Casoline" through disputes and refinery adaptations. The popularity of "hello" as a greeting is linked to the invention of the telephone. Zafaris shares her research methods, emphasizing the Oxford English Dictionary, primary sources, and digital archives like Google Books. The utility of Google's Engrams tool for tracking word usage over time is also highlighted. The episode concludes with book recommendations.

Outlines

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Word Origins and Etymological Research

This episode explores the surprising etymologies of words like "mini" (from manuscript illumination), "factoid" (fabricated information), "gasoline" (evolving from "Casoline"), and "hello" (popularized by the telephone). Guest Jess Zafaris shares her research methods, recommending resources like the Oxford English Dictionary, Google Books, and Google's Engrams tool for linguistic analysis. The discussion also includes book recommendations.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the surprising origin of the word "mini"?

  The word "mini" is a shortening of "miniature." Originally, "miniature" didn't refer to size but to the act of painting with red lead-based paint (minium) used in medieval manuscripts. The meaning shifted over time.

• What did Norman Mailer mean by "factoid"?

  Norman Mailer coined "factoid" to describe information that appears factual but is fabricated and used to manipulate readers, similar to "fake news." The "-oid" suffix signifies something that resembles a fact but isn't one.

• How did the word "gasoline" get its name?

  "Gasoline" evolved from John Cassell's "Casoline." After a dispute, the spelling changed, and American refineries adapted it, incorporating chemical terms related to gas and oil, leading to the modern word.

• When did "hello" become a common greeting?

  "Hello" only became a standard greeting after the telephone's invention in 1876. Before that, people used phrases like "Good day." Alexander Graham Bell favored "Ahoy," but "Hello" was popularized by Thomas Edison.

• What are good resources for researching word etymology?

  Key resources include the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) for comprehensive definitions and historical usage. Primary sources, public domain works found in the Google Books Archive, and tools like Google's Engrams are also valuable for in-depth research.

Show Notes