In the past couple of days (perhaps a bit longer), I have come across two interesting words that I want to delve into a bit more here in the blog. They are:

Brooches (commonly misspelled as ‘broaches’)
Lavalier

Both of these words are used in the jewelry industry. However, lavalier is mostly associated with microphones these days.

Anyhow, for some reason they are of interest to me at the moment. So, I’m going to do a little research in the coming days and hopefully post the etymologies for these two words.

If you have any cool information about either word, please feel free to share it and I’ll include it in the follow up article. It should be interesting (I hope).

Since recently joining a gym and jumping back into the healthy routine of working out, I thought looking up and sharing the etymology of the phrase “Charlie Horse” would be interesting.

A charlie horse is usually a reference for a cramp or pulled muscle. Its origins have been traced to being a baseball term, or at least it seems to have gained widespread use in baseball initially. The reference is really a mystery.

The earliest documented use in print for the term is found in the Boston Globe on July 17th 1886:

Several years ago, says the Chicago Tribune, Joe Quest, now of the Athletics, gave the name of “Charlie horse” to a peculiar contraction and hardening of the muscles and tendons of the thigh, to which base ball players are especially liable from the sudden starting and stopping in chasing balls, as well as the frequent slides in base running. Pfetlor, Anson and Kelly are so badly troubled with “Charley horse” there are times they can scarcely walk. Gore had it so bad he had to lay off a few days, and is not entirely free from it now. Williamson, too, has had a touch of it.

So, it’s completely unknown as to who “Charlie” may have been and why his “horse” may have been involved in creating cramped muscles. I suppose you should let your imagination run wild as to how Charlie’s horse came to be the instigator of this fine and interesting phrase.

As for me, I’m hoping that my cramped muscles will shape up soon…it’s been a long time since I went to the gym regularly!

I hated this word when I was a sophomore in high school and then again in college. However, when I was a junior and a senior…I thoroughly enjoyed using this word when the need arose.

Sophomoric: immature, bombastic, shallow, and superficial.

“The junior scolded the tenth graders, calling their immature behavior sophomoric.”

This word is derived from Greek, “sophos” meaning wise and “moros” meaning moronic.

So, for all of you high school or college juniors and seniors, there you go. Consider yourself well armed for those moments when younger classmates are driving you nuts!

Gauche: awkward or clumsy, lacking social graces

“His attempts at humor weren’t funny; they were gauche.”

In modern French, the word gauche means “left” which derived indirectly from the Latin word “sinistra” meaning left-handed.

This is an intriguing word to me for several reasons:

1. I’m left handed. I don’t think I’m awkward, clumsy, or lacking in social graces though.
2. The negative historical implications of being left handed are very obvious by looking at the root words. Evidently the French didn’t (don’t?) appreciate those folks who are left handed.
3. The Latin root “sinistra” is also the root for sinister. There is a clear association between being left handed and being looked upon as a sinister person.

Anyhow, it’s an interesting word with an interesting history! (He says with a sinister look in his eye while his left hand firmly grips a pencil.) Hehehe…

English is a quirky language. However, it often lends itself to interesting discoveries because of the diversity it contains. While I was in college, I took a course entitled, “The History of the English Language.” Yes, on the surface it may sound dull and boring but it was really quite the opposite. I enjoyed learning about our words. Etymology (the study of words and their origins) is really interesting at times. Plus, it gives you lots of good conversation material when you’re with your friends!

Have you ever wondered why we say some of the words and phrases used in modern English? Occasionally I want to feature a word or words that, at times, make us stop and wonder why we say them. I have a lengthy list of words that I can pull from over time and post here. However, I’d like to see if anyone has a certain word or phrase that they would like to offer up for consideration. Let me know!