9 Myths About English DEBUNKED
Language 'Facts' That Are Actually Total Fiction
We've all heard and probably believed false facts about the etymology of language, such as fake word origins and grammar rules. After all, there are very few things English teachers love more than explaining how the word “dork” comes originally from Sir Edmund Dork, who died searching for his glasses.
Sadly, many of these tales are untrue. Like the famed story of Sir Dork, here are more fake “facts” about language that you can discard immediately upon reading.
The word “snot” is an acronym standing for Special Note of Thanks.
The phrase “yo, what up dawg?” was originally used in the book of Ecclesiastes.
You should never end a sentence with an exclamation point!
Eskimos have over a dozen words for “unsubstantiated myth spread by linguists.”
“Enchilada” is a loanword from High German, and originally referred to the space just above a church tabernacle.
Shakespeare coined the words “gorp,” “spooktacular,” and “Sousaphone.”
The word “perspicacity” is an example of onomatopoeia, imitating the sound of a horse sneeze.
Chicago is called “The Windy City” for no particular reason. Residents just thought it sounded cool.
Lewis Carroll not only invented several portmanteau words, including the name of this site, but he also coined several risque compound words (clusterfuck, shitstorm) that his publishers removed from the original draft of Alice in Wonderland.
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