Origin Stories

Why do we call things what we do? The Straight Dope explains the origins and etymology of words and phrases we often take for granted.

A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD