Even More Useless Etymologies

Because you thought you were done learning about the completely unnecessary origins of words, concepts, and ideas.

1. The etymology of "Underwhelmed"

Apparently, this word has nothing to do with being under a wheel or being overwhelmed by a whale. Nope, it's actually derived from the Old English word "unwhelm", meaning "to be disappointed by the lack of excitement in a situation that should be exciting".

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2. The prophets of the etymology of "Prophet"

In ancient times, a prophet was someone who would tell you exactly the opposite of what was happening. Like, "Don't worry, this bridge will hold, I swear!"

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3. The etymology of "Etymology"

This is the prophets of this guide, the etymology of the word 'Etymology'. It's a bit of a meta-concept, isn't it?

Unravel the tangled web of prophets »