By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University) What is a ‘banana republic’, and where does the phrase come from? The origins of this phrase can be found in the work of a popular American writer, although his role in coining this phrase and giving it to the world is not as […]
Tag: Word Origins
The Curious Meaning and Origin of the Word ‘Gaslighting’
By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University) The word ‘gaslighting’ has become an everyday term in the last few years, so a few words about its curious origins – and the precise meaning of the word – may be helpful (or, indeed, illuminating). The story of the word ‘gaslighting’ takes us […]
A Summary and Analysis of the Biblical Scapegoat Story
By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University) The term ‘scapegoat’ is well-known: it refers to an innocent person who has to carry the blame for something on behalf of other people. But where does the term ‘scapegoat’ originate? ‘Scapegoating’ originates in the Bible, in the Old Testament book of Leviticus, which […]
The Mysterious Origins of the Word ‘Posh’
In this week’s Dispatches from The Secret Library, Dr Oliver Tearle explores the obscure and mysterious history of a now ubiquitous word If you’re sitting comfortably, how about a quick round of the Interesting Literature Friday Night Quiz of Doom? Well, all right, just a single quiz question. Ready?
The Curious Origins of the Word ‘Wuthering’
In this week’s Dispatches from The Secret Library, Dr Oliver Tearle explores the literary history of a distinctive word During the eight years I’ve been running this blog and combing every book, website, and trivia list I can find for eye-catching literature-related facts, one of the most satisfying I’ve discovered […]