Oscar
Why are the Oscars named Oscars?
Who was this Oscar guy? You’ll be surprised 
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Speaking of Oscars, did you watch Batman yet? I heard it was good.
Marina,
Great hair in this one, Marina. Cool shape and color–je l’adore mais je t’adore plus.
lostforwords
You are radiant here–one of the classics.
Hi Marina - I knew this one. I’m into origins of words so your site is my cup of tea.
Luv it
Cy Young award
Emmy, Grammy, Cleo come to mind as well as Golden Globes when viewing your vids,,,, Oh, in Korea they have this sparkling burgundy that is named Oscars. Good Stuff Maynard
How many languages do you speak?
Dear Marina,
For the Oscars homework I chose the Nobel Price named after a Norvegian man called: Alfred Nobel.
Even if it’s a price does it still count as an award too.
Yours Truly.
As you probably know, it’s curently Lent, which ends on Easter Sunday. Traditionally, (and for a reason unknown to me) we celebrate a giant rabbit that hides eggs and goodies for little children. I was wondering if you could find the origin of the Easter Bunny in honor of the upcoming holiday. Also, could you find the link that ties this massive egg hiding rabbit to the resurection of Jesus Christ? I’m really curious to find out where we got this odd tradition.
Your newly devoted fan,
Chrisby280
Lindy Hop:
The first form of swing dancing that developed in this country around the 1920s is called the “Lindy Hop” and was named after the famous aviator Charles Lindburg and his flight (or hop) across the Atlantic.
Subsequent forms of swing dance are known as jitterbug (also called east coast swing) and west coast swing. Today you can ask a dancer if he or she knows how to do the original form of swing by asking them if they know how to Lindy.
Hola Marina,
Te ves hermosa vestida de negro.
Besos,
Tu alumno No. 1
Hi Marina,
Really enjoy the show.
A word I’ve always liked the sound of is contiguous
Hi Marina,
I’m a apatheist and was wondering the orgin of the words catholic and jewish?
Also, I loved you video and find your lessons very informative, captivating and entertaining. Yes, i’m an addict
Anyway, thank you for your hard work and dedication. 
Graffiti…it will be very interesting lesson…
Hi Marina:
I know that many of the planets in our solar system are named after gods in mythology, ie (Mars, Neptune). But where does the word Earth come from?
Hugo Award - for Hugo Gernsback - Awarded to the year’s best Science Fiction works.
Marina,
I was wondering about the evolution of the word grotesque.
I think that it is derived from a french or italian phrase meaning ‘in the grotto style’ or grotto esque. I think this has something to do with a work of art containing things like animals, etc.
So how did this word evolve in english to mean something disgusting?
Thank you!
Shane
I love you Marina!!!
one more thing marina if you can. can you do one about kareoki
bye for now “mmmmmmuuuuuaaaaaaahhhhh”
and were did it first come from lol!
hey marina!
just wanted to let you know that there’s another award called the tony
award, and i think its named after a person!
I have an interesting word for you, helicopter. I think you will like this one
Don’t know if this is necessarily an object named after someone, but it is a term often used to describe some kind of scam or dicey business transaction: “Ponzi Scheme.”
love
salem
Off topic but curious nonetheless;;Why aren’t You in the movies yet Marina? Are the talent scouts sitting around waiting for the pop? You know,,,the ‘pop’ sound their thumb makes when it comes out their butt!! Sorry,that’s kind of vulgar I suppose..
I do think You would make a really kickass action hero though! Maybe team-up with Angelina Jolie and do a Tomb Raider Two-fer-one thriller killer flick!!
I’ve found that most people think that the Nobel Prize used to eb the Noble Prize, but someone made a typo and it stuck. Of course the really origin of the name was Alfred Nobel. He created one of the most devastating weapons in the world, and he believed that he needed to create an honor to those that made peace rather than war to start to repent his ’sin’.
we should not forget the Tony (Toni?) awards…are they named after someone?
A word request…Torus, and any of its offshoots like torpedo, tornado and torso to quickly name a scant few.
Thanks and PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE keep it going this is my latest drug haha!
Thanks for the report card Marina and I promise to give you a apple with no worms in it
Where does the term ‘The full enchilada’ come from?
I have accumulated all words from Pink onwards through iTunes. Will you be able to publish the prior words as a catch up?
Hey Marina,
How are you? Could you help my God Children and I find the origin of the word, ‘Cockroach’ please? Isn’t ”Cock’ from maybe Spain and means for Bird - Isn’t Roach’ named after a fish! The last cockroach I saw was neither a Bird nor a Fish, just some big bug in a hurry! Quite tasty too, full of protien, a bit like Chicken! Try deap fried, dipped in some sweet chilli sauce. Absolutly delicious )
Anyhoo, I can only assume ‘cockroach’ is put together for linguistic convenience. The Pupils couldn’t grasp the concept of Birds and Fishes hanging out together!…..flying fishes, maybe?? But not Bugs!
….and just a thought, how about ”Ladybird’? -again, no lady or bird!!!!! Just another bug!
Thanx again, great vid as ever, 5*
Mat
Teacher! Teacher! Please contrast the meaning of Freedom with the meaning of Democracy! They are often used interchangeably by politicians and the press, yet they are very different! I’m so confused…
When are you going to offer degrees? I desire a Masters in Debating!I’d bring you an apple…and be your pet! When it comes to communicating…I talk softly…and carry a big stick…
You have the BIGGEST WQRDS! I have a very long…word! Oh teacher! I was very bad during class! I guess I’ll have to stay after for detention! Then I can show you how bad I am…:twisted:
Try contrasting Freedom and Liberty
try contrasting compare and juxtapose or juxtaposing contrast and compare or comparing juxtapose and contrast. Pardon me I’m taking liberties with this freedom.
Hi, you are great Marina.
Educating the world is such a good cause.
Keep up the good work.
And I would like your research on the word: dagnabbit. Just while it is such a funny word.
Greetings from the Netherlands.
Sesketh.
Hi Marina…..what about the other awards….GRAMMY….AND TONY…….
Really enjoy your site…..you make my heart sing……
What is the origin of the word: GOLF
How about the term derivative? As a math major, I always wondered how that word came about. Integrals I think I know, but derivative besides the term derive…thanks
Dear Hot for Words,
As a lawyer, I’ve noticed the dual meaning associated with the word
” sanction “. E.G. :
-The judge sanctioned the attorney for submitting his papers late, meaning he issued a fine because of the disapproval of the tardiness.
or
- The judge sanctioned the agreement among the parties, meaning he approved of it.
Believe it or not, some lawyers have taken opposite meanins from decisions in which a judge has inartfully used the word “sanction” in a context where it could be interperted as having either meaning !
I would be interested in your comments.
Best regards,
38Special
I was wondering if you could research the word “Crutches”.
Hi Marina!
I’m quiet curious why passion fruit names like that? I was looking for origin of this word in internet, but still don’t have clue where is the name came from. Is it kind of love-drug? Maybe it’s linked with some christian holiday or just it’s so good that you tase it with passion? If you could help me, i would be very appreciative.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++
In other case, i just watched your video about polka dots, it was very funny to hear how you pronauce word “polka”. My mother language is Polish and i’m almost sure that you are from Czech, Slovakia or Ukraine or atleast ahve some roots from this region countries, aren’t you? ;]
THX & BB
u kno i always wondered why it was called passion fruit…
Marina,
What is the origin of “EAT YOUR HEART OUT”??
Thank you,
DrJCL
Where did the holidays St Patricks’s Day and Good Friday come from
Thank you for my report card xoxo
Hi Marina,
Great lesson and you looked stunning, as always.
The homework assignment was to list other words that are named after people. Here are some:
The word “dunce” is named after John Duns Scotus. His opinions were on religion and philosophy were scorned and those who followed his opinions were given various iterations of the label “dunce.”
A “spoonerism” (like “a well boiled icicle/well oiled bicycle” or “a blushing crow/a crushing blow” or “flutter by/butterfly”) is named after William Spooner.
A recent one is a “Lewinsky.” I’ve heard that used on television to describe a certain act famously, though certainly not originally, performed by a woman of the same name upon a recent President.
“Bloomers” were named after Amelia Bloomer.
A “Mickey” is named after a bar owner named “Mickey Finn.”
“Lynch” is named after Charles Lynch, in the 18th century who headed vigilantes against the British.
“Shrapnel” in bombs and grenades is named after a General Shrapnel, who invented the nasty stuff.
“Bloody Mary” was named after Queen Mary.
“Draconian” is named after an ancient Greek named “Draco” who was famous for his draconianism.
“Boycotts” originated with Charles Boycott.
“Chauvinism” began with Nicolas Chauvin.
A literary one is “bowdlerize” which means to delete dirty or offensive words from writing (Thomas Bowdler).
“Guillotine” was for John Guillotine who supposedly invented the head-chopping device.
I found an extensive list of eponyms here: http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/eponyms/in dex.html. I had no idea that there were so many, and some words are really surprising: ammonia…axel…zany…tarmac…tsar…
Marina
In the weight lifting field there are severl awards dealing with pioneers in that field such as Mr. atlas Mr. schwarzenegger and many more.
Thanks Red
Nice lesson, Oscar is not what i thought it was
Just wanted to get this out of the way and say I’m a big fan of your videos, they’re always informative and pleasantly cheeky at times. That being said, I was hoping you might consider the word symbiotic. I know the meaning (I think) but I’d be interested in its origin. Hope you’ve had a great day, keep the vids coming!!!
Well, there is the Nobel prize, named after Alfred Nobel.
Now, for a request: I recently noticed that there is only one letter difference between aesthetic and anesthetic. So I wonder, what does beauty have to do with knocking people unconscious?
Marina knocks ME out.
César du cinéma are the “oscars” of France and are named like that because of César Baldaccini and important French sculptor who created the trophy for that event
Gardel Prizes from Argentina were named after Carlos Gardel a famous tango singer. The Gardel Prizes are from the best singers and dancers of Tango.
actually i hate tango is soooo boring, what about you?
hitman,
have you listened to rage against the machine?
Yes, I have. I like them , especially their lyrics but I prefer Linkin Park , Nightwish and Tarja Turunen
Request:
In Spain, the Spanish Academy Awards are called “Goya”.
It’s because of Francisco de Goya, a really famous spanish painter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_Goya
Well, greetings for the show.
Tiasson.
Word Request: Smithereens
I was just wondering if you, by chance, know how the word “smithereens,” meaning “small pieces,” came about?
As in, “the building was blown to smithereens,” or, “the plate was shattered into smithereens,” etc.
So Uncle Oscar lives in perpetuity because he stood naked with a big sword.
If I had a big sword, I’d give it a shot. 
Homework.
We’ve all eaten (at least your American students) a “sloppy joe”. Who’s Joe? Is he always sloppy? If he shows up at a tonier party is he an “Untidy Joeseph”? And does he taste better?
all you have to do is visit Australia and go to Homebush, like every street or avenue is named after a famous athlete…or something like that!
anyway awesome video, I just discovered your youtube channel a week ago and I’m hooked!!!
WORD REQUEST!!!
can you find out about ‘rock’ as in the genre of music, because its my fave. genre and I’ve never thought about where words came from til now, so that’d be awesome!!!
Thanks
I would like for you to research amourous did it come from the french amore for love or does it have other origens and I just watched oxymoron is that the same origen as morose (Very sad) having a dull outlook? also how did vampire go from a green spectre/ghost on the battlefeild to a humanoid monster like dracula and lestat also anotheer one because of your accent why did prussia drop the p and become just simply russia and why do the locals call germany deucthland which is perefctly pronounceable by englishspeaking people and does holland have roots in germany(The people from holland are called dutch are people from germany also called dutch? and on youtube there is a responce to your video about america/amerigo also where did lesbian come from and why did bitch go from female dog to its current conotation of bad woman and also where did the word connotation come from and why did the spelling of demon go from deamon to demon and why did vampyr become vampire.Also just out of curiosity do you ever go to yahoo answers and another out of curiosity where did yahoo (the word) come from does it have anything to do with yayhoo the word for simpleton. or yoohoo (the fake chocolate milk)Also where did digital come from and why is conquer not spelled concer or conker and why is is pronounced damn near the same as concur which means agree when it means destroy for lack of agreement.And are quit and quite and quiet related?And also could you notate in the title if you show cleavage so I will know weither to scrool down so that my parents wont think I’m just watching you for the boobs(Which are nice by the way)(Look up that word too why is breast synonimous with simpleton)And why does totaled mean destroyed if talking about a car?And where does exclamation come from and why did it replace ejaculation and why did ejaculation come to mean an expultion of semen.And where di the word vagina come from and why did people stop using the word phallus and start using penis and when did the word cunt become offencive?Because it is just another word for vagina in england and why is it england and not angland when supposedly the word enland came from “the land of anglo saxxons”?And why is it england and not brittania anymore?And where did the phrase green with envy come from di some people actually think that you turned green if you were envious.
http://www.amazon.com/Eats-Shoots-Leaves-Tolerance -Punctuation/dp/1592400876
Can you tell me where the word “lingerie” comes from. Or, if possible, what about “french maid”?
I would like to know the Origin of the middle finger….
From what i’ve researched it came from archers from french brit war , showed off their middle finger to taunt because the french use to cut off the middle finger of the brit archers because thats what they use to shoot arrows their pointing and middle finger…
can you tell me if thats true?
That’s thought to be an urban legend
http://www.icons.org.uk/theicons/collection/the-v- sign/biography/the-anti-french-gesture
and
http://www.icons.org.uk/theicons/collection/the-v- sign/biography/v-for-get-stuffed
beer
I Like the Darwin Awards, interesting take on culling the herd. Being a Canadian I grew up watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs, for us the ultimate prize, although there was some satisfaction when Team Canada beat the Russian team 1972, yeah Paul Henderson.What no Henderson Trophy?
How about a “Marina”, Statuette for your best Philogy student, (with optional outfits & assesories).
Thanx for making another captivating video and again you didn’t disappoint
Forgot to mention I think your twin sister, who doesn’t look evil by the way, replaced your pictures in the popups or previews or what ever you call em with her own
Is she trying to take over?
guys
peeping tom
berserk
Hi Marina,
I heard this word on GeekBrief the other day….
“RIGAMAROLE”
I bet that HotForWords knows about this word?
Very best regards,
Hank
well, The goverment in Mexico some time a go launch a campaing ( i¨m not sure this write like i did it) promoving the pay of Tax, and call the tresure managemet as Lolita, so when some one in Mexico said: “Lolita is watching over you” you have a taxes problem. As well, the teddy bear, i think cames from the USA president Roossevelt. I hope you understand me, i’m still learning english.