And now for our second instalment of unusual etymologies…
- Namby-pamby
Image Source: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/375487687655516245/
Some of you may have seen that episode of Boston Legal in which Denny Crane wins a case by insinuating that Judge Clark Brown is a “namby-pamby” (if you haven’t but are partial to satires infused with a spot of legal drama and a sh*t-ton of William Shatner, we suggest you check it out immediately). The term namby-pamby, being a pejorative term for someone who is about as stoic as a flaccid rag, was earned by the poet Ambrose Philips after he penned the following:
“Timely blossom, Infant fair, Fondling of a happy pair.”
Apparently his contemporaries also demanded the passing of the bucket, for it was this syrupy attempt at poetry that earned him the unfortunate moniker. Namby-pamby is supposedly a play on his first name, Ambrose, as if it were to be said in the equally vomit-inducing ‘baby talk’.
- Vodka
Last entry we brought you whiskey; this time we bring you a tipple of vodka. Vodka stems from the Russian word for water, voda. The ‘k’ lends it a creepily affectionate tone, sort of like “my little water”. This makes sense (not the creepy part), as is if you’ve ever seen a Russian drink vodka, it might as well be water anyway.
- Mortgage
Image Source: http://monster.wikia.com/wiki/Grim_Reaper
Mortgage stems from the French mort (dead) + gage (pledge). So it is a death pledge. Who knew language could double as financial advice?
- Addict
Addict originally referred to slaves gifted to Roman soldiers as spoils of war. The word has been appropriated over time to denote someone who is a slave to a habit. It is a chillingly encompassing depiction of what it describes.
- Sleazy
This oft-used word originates from the Eastern European region of Silesia. Silesia was renowned for its fine cloth. When imitations of poor quality began surfacing on the Silesian market, however, its reputation dovetailed from Silesia to sleazy.
Bring Back the Words 