I’m fascinated by etymology. Even more so when it’s weird, nonsensical etymology.
What have sports pavilions to do with butterflies? What’s the connection between fairies and foxgloves?
And what links text messages to an ancient Roman writer?
A fascinating book on the weird and wonderful origins of English words has just hit the top of the bestseller list. Here, Mark Forsyth reveals a few of the best definitions.
Roman rules: Orator Quintilian was the mastermind behind today’s mobile phenomenon
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