After Thanksgiving feasts come Black Friday sales. But, where did Black Friday come from? Black Friday myths While many people believe the term Black Friday finds its roots in the sense of black meaning “showing a profit; not showing any losses,” this isn’t actually the case. Historically, black has been associated with days of economic stress as opposed to days of booming commercial success. The first Black …
The republic of Turkey (look north of Egypt, east of Greece) isn’t exactly a breeding ground for the bird that Americans associate with Thanksgiving. In fact, the turkey is native to North America … so, why do they share the same name? Let’s get the word facts The word turkey has been used to refer to “land occupied by the Turks” since the 1300s and …
What is the difference between socialism and communism? Socialism has three main meanings: 1. a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole. 2. procedure or practice in accordance with this theory. 3. (in Marxist theory) the stage following capitalism in the transition of a …
A new November has arrived, and whether it means pulling out your winter coat, adding another blanket to your bed, or searching for the perfect pumpkin pie recipe, it’s time to begin preparation for the winter months. The etymology of our 11th month, however, speaks little to its role in the course of the year. November follows the same pattern as the months before it, …
Nicknames are usually cute endearments we give to friends or loved ones. But sometimes, we attribute nicknames to infamous figures of notoriety. Think "Ivan the Terrible" or "The Butcher of Bosnia" or Vlad the Impaler." Here are the most notorious nicknames in history.
It’s many kids’ favorite part of Halloween. There’s no feeling quite like waiting for a stranger to open their door so you can scream the words “Trick or treat”! But, why do we say it? What does it actually mean? The practice of donning a costume and asking for treats from your neighbors actually dates back to the Middle Ages … but back then it wasn’t a …
Halloween is primarily marked by putting on a disguise and asking for candy, but Halloween has its roots in at least two Medieval celebrations: the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holiday All Saints’ Day. The spooky festival’s name, however, comes from only one. Why is it called Halloween? Samhain is Gaelic for “summer’s end,” and it marks what has loosely been labeled the “Celtic New Year.” …
This month thousands of Americans will scoop out the flesh of a gourd, carefully carve a haunting face into its rind, and stick a candle inside. The creations are called jack-o’-lanterns, and they will be proudly displayed on porches and stoops across the country. But who, or what, is the namesake of this autumn tradition? Who are jack-o’-lanterns named for? Jack has been a general term for a …
