10 Shocking Origins of Some Common Words
You may never use the word “fascinating” the same way again
If you love language as I do, you will find the etymology of the following words fascinating. And you also might feel naughty next time you use that word.
Fascinating is a hard, beautifully erect word to describe that which enchants us. Kind of like penises. Maybe that is why it originated from “phallus.”
The Latin verb form “fascinare” means “charm, hex, or put under a spell.” In ancient Rome, the “fascinum” was an amulet that represented the divine phallus. These fascinums were used to ward off disease and evil spirits.
And this makes perfect sense when you consider that the male phallus continues to fascinate. (Sorry ladies, I couldn’t find a single picture of “vagina amulets.”)
But women like Kate Middleton do wear fascinators on their heads. So next time you see a woman following this trend, you can inform her that she is wearing the original penis hat.
Fascinating is not the only example of bizarre origins. Although English is a Germanic language, it has borrowed many words from…
