Ok, so I went on this website http://www.freerice.com and they asked me what the word humbug meant. Now I thought that hum was short for humble and bug are really innocent and small so I thought it must’ve meant humble. I found out that humbug means hoax so can you please tell me why is that?
P.S. if you haven’t heard of it go to http://www.freerice.com it is there to check ur vocabulary level and the more you answer correct the more rice you donate. Since ur a philologist i know you will love that site.
imnotanerd replied on April 16th, 2008 12:24 am:
p.p.s my vocab level is 30 wts urs?
xl magnum on
April 15th, 2008 3:10 pm
….what’s the origin of the words “horny”?
celsofritzen on
April 14th, 2008 8:30 pm
My Dear Teacher,
I agree with tuxedo89 and want to konow the origin of the name for this kind of suit….
Kisses my gorgeous!!!!
celsofritzen on
April 14th, 2008 8:02 pm
Hi my dar teacher!!!!
I’m together with tuxedo89 wanting to know the origin of the name o’this vest….
Thanks sweetheart :))
warlock266 on
April 14th, 2008 5:27 pm
the great depression during the early 1900 hundreds
when the stock market crashed the whole world went to a small depression
artlover on
April 14th, 2008 2:21 pm
tulip bulb bubble…
“In 1623, a single bulb of a famous tulip variety could cost as much as a thousand Dutch florins (the average yearly income at the time was 150 florins). Tulips were also exchanged for land, valuable livestock, and houses. Allegedly, a good trader could earn six thousand florins a month.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip_mania
oojufink on
April 14th, 2008 8:01 am
Surely it must be tulip bulbs……
u675211 on
April 14th, 2008 7:32 am
tulip
swedehunter on
April 13th, 2008 10:21 pm
This one I really did know for sure!!
It´s the tulipflower, I read about these crazy times when people would kill for those!
By the way … was is it called a stockmarket, and a share in a company called a “stock” …??
still no stars at the bottom of the video but now I can rate you as a
********* (top of the nine..)
your dear student / Swedehunter
bad doggie on
April 13th, 2008 10:05 pm
I’d say the answer is tobacco. An ancestor of mine made it big back in 1635 in Jamestown, Virginia growing tobacco on 5 different plantations.
Another too-easy one Just google “Turkish word for turban” and the third entry has it. You should google-proof things, it makes it harder and for those of us who always come late it gives us a better chance of winning
greenbush on
April 13th, 2008 8:19 pm
Yes, tulip bulbs it is. Anyone that has Holland/Dutch grandparents might know that answer. And anyone that has studied price theory such as the stock market, or former gold and silver price charts, should know about that before doing serious trading. I give you the usual great five stars rating dear teacher Marina for this lesson, but there isn’t a link for it today. I heard the most recent 4/11/08 Maxim Siruis radio broadcast with you, and I don’t think it is something to devote more time to. http://www.hotforwords.com/wp-includes/images/smil ies/icon_sad.gif Regarding: Ship Hold In Transit, or manure. What shall I do with the informational value content of your message? With whom to share this with? It represents a dead end to me, not warranting further attention. But, if other people need this and there is a market demand for this kind of adult programing, so be it. I would like to end this on a positive note dear teacher. Since I never made a video, and you have had more than 42,000.000 views of your videos, you are the one with demonstrable proven cash flow talent. Keep up the good work!
icebreaker on
April 13th, 2008 7:34 pm
TULIP.
The answer is tulip and what you were idcussingwas “Tulip Mania” that occurred in the Netherlands and caused a major economic “bubble” and a depression in the Hetherlands that lasted fo for several years.
The following is a link to the Wikipedia webpage for “Tulip Mania”
What is the origin of the word fuck. When did it become a word for sexual intercourse and why is it considered derogatory?
mattgoffriller on
April 13th, 2008 6:53 pm
my dear teacher,
tulip bulbs it has to be.
the word tulip is of Turkish and there was a big craze for them with high prices until the Dutch began farming them on a large scale and the price fell.
i have another guess the word game….
it is not a tulip, but its name also comes from Turkish.
it was very popular as a drink until tea and coffee came into use.
then its value also fell but it wasn’t as big a boom and bust as with tulips.
;D …BTW, it occurred to me maybe you could contact that stupid website about the PS thing and get them to take it down. You could even threaten to sue if you need to, I think… as you say, who wants to be portrayed in such a way? It’s libelous!
I didn’t get TULIP. I am sooooo dumb
prospero811 replied on April 14th, 2008 1:16 pm:
In my opinion it is a weak claim of libel.
Libel/slander requires a false clam, expressly stated or implied to be true, that is also defamatory (harmful to reputation). So, we have to first look at what was actually said. If it’s the TMZ article, all they said was:
“Hey Buuuuddy! Pauly Shore was seen leaving Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills with YouTube’s “Hot for Words” philologist gal,”
Technically, that is a true statement. They were seen leaving Mr. Chow. TMZ did not allege that they were on a date, ate dinner together or even knew each other beforehand. That conclusion is left up to the reader. So, it would be hard to even get passed the “truth” element of the libel claim. Truth is an absolute defense.
Another defense is “good faith.” Even a false statement made under the honest and reasonable belief that it was true is not libelous. TMZ would argue they were acting in good faith.
Then there’s the “damage to reputation” element. Now, I would certainly think that the lovely Marina being seen with Pauly Shore is damaging to her reputation. However, Pauly Shore is an accomplished actor and comedian, so TMZ would plausibly argue that there’s no damage and that Marina, a relative unknown compared to Shore, would actually have her reputation enhanced by being alleged to be with Shore.
Lastly, Marina is fast turning into a “public figure” like any other actor or actress or celebrity. Libel claims are far harder to press against public figures because even a false and defamatory/damaging statement is not actionable unless they show malice - which means that TMZ would have had to have known the statement to be false, or issued the statement with reckless disregard as to its truth. That makes it difficult indeed because Marina would have to prove not only that they were wrong, but that TMZ had actual knowledge that they were lying or that they went forward in complete and utter disregard of whether they were telling the truth.
I just watched the TMZ video shot of Marina and Pauly leaving the restaurant. To me it doesn’t seem like they were together. It seems like they were just walking out, and Pauly - who generally seems (despite my slamming him, which is just my way of joking around) like good, laid-back, congenial guy - kind of starts interacting with her because she’s hot. He was just having fun.
presumined replied on April 14th, 2008 3:50 pm:
OK. I’m a journalist, trained in media law (hence my interest in words). I am aware of the definition and legal tests for libel (and slander). I am also aware that the website “cleverly” protected itself against these tests. As we are not in a court of law (as far as I am aware), I felt I might just get away with an IRONICALLY HUMOUROUS statement.
This is the amusing joke: it’s libelous because Pauly Shore is a putz and no hot chick like Marina should be seen with him, whatever the circumstances. Tee hee. This is analogous to your stated “joking around” although the evidence suggests you have a possibly unorthodox take on “joking around”.
Meanwhile, you may have noticed my somewhat circumspect approach to the facts in my posting, above. I did this because Marina has stated, or, if you insist, Judge, implied strongly (as I’m sure, as an habitué of this site, you are aware) that she would rather people did not look at the aforementioned video article about her.
What you have done is given enough detail for anyone over the age of eight to find the article in less than a New York minute. But you made your point, and that’s the main thing.
I’m sure you are super-brainy, but it is often an error to assume those around you are, by default, stupid, or, at least, less intelligent. It can make you look foolish. As can writing “false clam” instead of “false claim”.
prospero811 replied on April 15th, 2008 6:13 am:
Huh - presumined - you seem somewhat hypersensitive. I didn’t attack you. Nor did I imply you weren’t intelligent or educated. Because my post explained what libel and slander meant and applied it to the Pauly Shore thing doesn’t say anything about you at all. If you took it that way, please note that it was not intended that way.
Thanks for the spelling correction. It’s much appreciated. I like to be accurate with spelling and grammar (or at least close), but I don’t have time to proofread. Occasionally, I slip up.
I’m not sure what you mean when you say my “joking around” is unorthodox. I made some derogatory comments about Pauly Shore - but I was kidding, really, because I don’t know him. Although you used a different word (”putz”) to describe Shore, I basically said the same things about him as you did.
As for blaming me for ready access to the video clip - I think I may have been among the last to see that video. Others here had already mentioned it. And “any 8 year old” can find it in less than 1/2 of that New York minute anyway (without my post). All one has to do is google it.
presumined replied on April 15th, 2008 2:16 pm:
You have see this in terms of REAL LIFE. I write something, you respond. Your response is perceived by me to be pompous and patronising. Ergo, I am offended.
(The above is a fact you can in no way dispute. You have to accept that you have no control over my perception. You display a distinct, almost worrying, lack of empathy.)
My suggestion as to your possibly unorthodox take on “joking around” was part of my theory that you are apparently unaware of the use of irony in humour. In fact, I see you as humourless.
Your thanks for the typo correction, I perceive to be disingenuous.
Your point about being able to Google the article is moot. People tend only to look at the most recent message thread (especially casual visitors). There was no reference to the article in this thread. So I was circumspect. You, however, gave full details in the part of the site most viewed. Hence, you stirred up renewed interest.
Think laterally. It’s kinda fun.
prospero811 replied on April 15th, 2008 2:36 pm:
Whoa….I didn’t really “respond” - I threw my two cents in. I wasn’t arguing with you, or at least I did not intend to argue. I realize you perceived my response in a certain way, and in now way at all do I pretend to control your perceptions. I merely explained that your complaint (that I implied that you were not smart or educated, or something like that) was not something I at all intended. I have no idea how much you know about anything - I expect there are many things you know that I don’t, and for all I know your IQ is double mine. Even if it isn’t I think you’re posts are fun to read and pithy, so I’m not sure why it matters.
You are free to believe what you want, but if I truly lacked empathy I would not have gone to the time and trouble to explain myself and attempt to assuage your offense. Again, I meant none. I intended none.
I thought your post was funny, and I responded in a partly serious (because I thought Marina might have been interested) and partly joking manner (my treatment of Pauly Shore, etc.). I really am at a loss for why you think I attacked you, which is plainly what you do think.
Several other people here have said they enjoyed my posts and contributions and thought them funny. I think if you read some other ones you would find them to be at least as good attempts at humor as your post was - some plays on words, dirty spoonerisms, etc.
Now, having said all that, and once again, tried to be polite and assure you of my good intentions, you make direct personal attacks on me. You claim I am disingenuous when I am not (you, however, clearly were when you pointed out such a small thing with the obvious intent to belittle me). I, however, do not get offended when someone corrects me like that. I think it’s just fine with me, and I’m not being disingenuous at all.
You think nobody knew the site that showed Marina and Pauly, or that they’re just not going to be concerned about it until they see my post? I think you credit me too much there. I am sure people are able to come to their own decisions as to what they’re interested in. Plus if you’ve seen the video, Marina has nothing to be embarrassed about and it actually shows clearly that they’re not dating. If more people saw it, they’d know the rumor wasn’t true.
So, in closing, I’ll be more mindful of lateral thinking, if you’ll give parallel thinking a try.
A psychologist may argue that you are, in fact, not displaying empathy by writing these posts but demonstrating your relentless need to feel powerful by being proved right.
Meanwhile, you are falling into traps of your own making. You state: “I really am at a loss for why you think I attacked you, which is plainly what you do think.” How can you possibly know what I think? This suggests maybe you do subconsiously believe you control, or can read, people’s perceptions and thoughts.
If, instead, you read what I have written you may see that I do not speak of an attack. I speak of my view that you are pompous and patronising. I dislike pompous people and I loathe being patronised.
You further state: “You claim I am disingenuous when I am not (you, however, clearly were when you pointed out such a small thing with the obvious intent to belittle me).” Again you appear to be telling me what I am thinking. Maybe I should have been more blunt: yes, I dislike you and, yes, I intend to belittle you by pointing out that you referred to a “false clam”. I should have thought that was fairly obvious. How disingenuous is that?
I believe your suggestion that I “think nobody knew the site that showed… or that they’re just not going to be concerned about it until they see my post?” is infantile. My point again, for the third time: if you don’t keep repeating the details, it is less likely renewed interest shall be generated…
Your apparent lack of empathy and pronounced linear thought process suggests a diagnosis within the autism spectrum. If this is the case then I sincerly apologise for my own posts and suggest you seek the help of a specialist.
I’m finding this tedious. This site seems less fun now.
I shall not respond to you again.
prospero811 replied on April 16th, 2008 6:19 am:
Presumined - give me a break. Whatever tediousness you find is your own doing. I’ve never claimed to be right, and if it makes you feel better I’ll admit that I’m wrong. I’ve never actually “claimed” anything at all, though.
“How can you possibly know what I think?” I’m just going by your post - in which you said that you felt that I had assumed you to be “by default, stupid, or, at least, less intelligent. It can make you look foolish.” And you also said, that I was “pompous and patronising. Ergo, I [you] am [were] offended.” And the general character of your posts were clear to me that you had taken offense to me. If you haven’t taken offense, then that’s good. If you have, then I regret that.
You now say this, “This suggests maybe you do subconsiously believe you control, or can read, people’s perceptions and thoughts.” Sir, you accused me of “assuming’ you were stupid. Therefore, is it not you who asserted knowledge of my thoughts, not vice versa? You PLAINLY STATED you were “offended” - your words, not mine. I was trying to correct your misapprehension that I claimed you were stupid, which appeared to me to be the source of your “offense.” I don’t claim to know what you think - I only read your posts.
You loathe being patronized, you say - however, you are quite good at it - it’s all you’ve done. You say you don’t speak of an “attack”, which is the sense I got from your post, but as I said - you did speak directly about being “offended” by me. For me to offend you I must have written something that you perceived as offensive to you. If you’re saying that’s not an “attack” then that’s settled then.
You said, “Again you appear to be telling me what I am thinking. Maybe I should have been more blunt: yes, I dislike you and, yes, I intend to belittle you by pointing out that you referred to a “false clam”. I should have thought that was fairly obvious.” You’re right, I interpreted the tenor of your post and pointing out my spelling error as a disingenuous attempt to belittle me. And then you tell me that my interpretation was dead-on correct! Think about it - I’m not telling you what you are thinking, your posts are very clear on that.
You then make the absurd claim that I “keep” repeating the details. I never STATED the details in the first place, other than to say one can google it, and in my first post I said three letter name of the source. If I wanted to state the details, I’d have copy and pasted the link.
You close your post, again, with direct attacks against me, which were completely unprovoked. I have displayed no lack of empathy - just the opposite actually, along with the patience of Job. My thought process is far from linear, and linear thinking, by the way, is not a symptom of autism. If I had autism, it wouldn’t be anything to be ashamed of. It’s serious health condition, and not one that can be diagnosed by you based on a few posts on a website.
You accused me several times of telling you what you think, etc. Yet, isn’t that what you’ve claimed to know about me? You ascribed to me disingenuous-ness and made assumptions about what I think, accused me of lacking empathy. You even went so far as to evaluate my thinking process! You seemed to take extreme umbrage when you said that you thought I had made assumptions about what you think, yet you wasted no time at all doing exactly what you accused me of doing (and worse).
I’ll leave this on a positive note. You seem like a nice person who misinterpreted what I intended as a very benign contribution. I have tried in every one of my responses to you to make it clear that I don’t dislike you (I can’t like or dislike you, since I don’t know you, and don’t judge you personally based on your posts here), don’t think you are stupid, and don’t think you have a mental disability.
I NEVER MEANT TO OFFEND YOU. For my part, I’ll forgive you the vile statements you’ve made to me, and wish you all the best in life. Cheers!
prospero811 replied on April 14th, 2008 6:28 am:
Right now I have deja vu and amnesia at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this before.
WORD REQUEST!
cootie
pink elephant
berserk
limelight
iamthecheetah on
April 13th, 2008 5:05 pm
Lucky rabbits foot, where did that come from???
19comet79 on
April 13th, 2008 4:27 pm
the homework is simple; the word is tulip. A new request is the word is the word ‘cookie’.
xl magnum on
April 13th, 2008 4:22 pm
What is the origin of the word “noob”
canadianeh24 on
April 13th, 2008 3:53 pm
Hi Marina,
i would like to know where the term “cold-turkey” came from. like when someone quits drinking they say “i went cold-turkey”
nachmannak on
April 13th, 2008 3:19 pm
Hi Marina,
I know you usually investigate words, but would you be willing to a phrase? I’ve always been curious as to the origin of the phrase ‘to jump on the bandwagon’. Thanks! Happy philologizing :D!
Hey its vanfan11 again and I wanted to tell you to please please please do striptease. Define it and then do a striptease your self. Start with a bunch of clothing on and then go all the way down into a thong and bra. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE. Its not that bad. You can do it. And it would be great for you to do both. Define striptease not to strip or stripping make sure you define striptease. Then say this is for you VanFan11 and do your striptease all the way down to your thong and bra. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dude, chill. If you want to see a woman strip, I’m sure you could find something on the net (it’s a big place). I think Marina is just trying to take a more fun approach to the whole learning and education format.
Plus is the etymology for “Striptease” not just the action of striping, acts to tease an observer.
I think that the word for the game has to be either turnips or tulips, and since I cannot imagine such a high demand for turnips I’m going with the beautiful flower, tulips.
The word I was thinking of is striptease. Striping is easy but where do they get striptease? Also if you demonstrate a striptease, that would be great. My youtube account name is Parodiy218. Subscribe to us and accept us as your friend. And don’t forget define striptease show us a striptease all the way down untill you get to a bra and a thong.. Please do this
pennsyltucky9 replied on April 13th, 2008 4:48 pm:
Sure it’s ridiculous. Imagine how quickly the discussions we get into on this blog would degenerate into a pool of poodlepoop if she did stuff like that! It would be all over.
The idea is still entertaining though, I have to admit.
ragabashmoon replied on April 13th, 2008 7:54 pm:
Yeah, about the only thing I think she’d do in that respect is if she learned the Zapaderin belly dance. It’s like a striptease belly dance, but you never actually get to see anything, it’s all one big tease… like OMG We’re about to see nip… oh nevermind… oh she’s gonna show her… oh rats…
I’ve asked belly dancers if they know it, one knew OF it but couldn’t do it, she was pretty sure she’d not be able to do it perfectly which is necessary to be perfect.
greenbush replied on April 13th, 2008 9:49 pm:
I can’t speak for our dear teacher Marina, but maybe what you are looking for is at youtube.com/, hotforwords, view all prior 140 videos, and check out her June 15, 2007 posting of Abracadabra: Magic Trick. As you might find out some day vanfan11, you are close to the center of your universe, but not necessarily everyone else’s. Miss Marina may not find it in her own personal interest to do a striptease for you. She might have other career objectives, or a boyfriend. jambo 87, got it correct below.
modularorigami on
April 13th, 2008 1:30 pm
What about the word …..
ORIGAMI
:D:D:D:D
d3brown on
April 13th, 2008 12:51 pm
Great stuff Hotforwords.
I love the lessons.
I was wondering from where the words concerning money come.
For instance: money, cash, buck, dollar…
pennsyltucky9 on
April 13th, 2008 12:38 pm
Dear Marina,
I figure if it started in Turkey and it’s a form of headwear, felt fezzes might figure prominently. Perhaps these even morphed gradually into tall, brimmed hats in other areas, giving rise to other styles like the classic Puritan hat design, who knows. But tulips? Hmmmm. Did I miss something?
Time will tell, or you will eventually. I’m holding my breath until the next posting. You certainly are prolific, dear teacher.
fleetwood on
April 13th, 2008 12:31 pm
Hi marina my gess wouldbe the top hat. hug and kisses to teacher.
edanrogo on
April 13th, 2008 12:28 pm
Hi Marina,
The thing that you’re talking about is a tulip.
And here’s an interesting anecdote I found about this insane crave for tulips in the 1600s:
A wealthy merchant had paid 3,000 florins (280 pounds sterling) for a rare Semper Augustus tulip bulb, and it disappeared from his warehouse. After thoroughly searching his warehouse, he saw a sailor (who had mistaken the tulip bulb for an onion) eating it. The sailor was promptly arrested and spent months in jail.
You’re amazing! So keep up the good work!
E
ragabashmoon replied on April 13th, 2008 7:50 pm:
Eww wonder if it tasted good? Guess it had to taste better than a RAW onion, yuck.
evilleramsfan replied on April 13th, 2008 8:32 pm:
I read that this merchant also had a collection of church organs. He was always said to preferred tulips on his organ instead of roses…….
matty.s on
April 13th, 2008 12:22 pm
Im going to guess tulip because a turban i quess kinda looks like the bud of tulips.
And the turkish word is tülbent, and the 1st three letters are the same as tulip.
Also i read a article on tulips at the doctors office and it said people used to spend 1500 US on them.
newt56 on
April 13th, 2008 12:11 pm
Hello, My Dear Teacher,
The GTW X would be “Tulip”
I have a word request fro you. Actually 2 words just because they go together.
“Driveway and Parkway”
We park in our “driveway” and drive on our “parkway”
Weird huh?
thesorrow on
April 13th, 2008 11:43 am
The word Passion…where did it come for _
jerryong on
April 13th, 2008 11:38 am
Hi Marina,
Need you help to share the origin of the word “Jerry” and better if you find who is the one who start to use the word “Jerry” as name
Dear Teacher!
I would like you to investigate for the Orign of the Phrase:
“I’m feeling blue!”
greetings from germany
peachy
mezalong on
April 13th, 2008 11:26 am
hello gorgeous marina
can you tell me why people say “can i be frank” or “can i be frank with you”
who is this frank guy and where did he come from??
bye
pennsyltucky9 replied on April 13th, 2008 1:26 pm:
I’ll be frank if you’ll be earnest.
chaosfury93 on
April 13th, 2008 11:23 am
Hi, Marina I have watched almost al your videos just never posted a comment i was wondering if you could do the word Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakit anatahu
I think its the longest word in the english language.
Thanks !
toysjoe replied on April 13th, 2008 2:06 pm:
It’s a Maori name for a hill in New Zealand.
It means “The Summit where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, the climber of mountains, the land-swallower who traveled about, played his nose flute to his loved ones.”
What happened to Marina’s podcasts? I can’t get the new one and the old ones are gone.
ragabashmoon replied on April 13th, 2008 7:48 pm:
1. That’s not English.
2. Guess since it’s not English it’s ok for you to answer it, but when it really is English, try not to answer them, or else Marina will not be able to make videos for us!
prospero811 replied on April 15th, 2008 5:58 am:
I’m still waiting for my spanking from Marina for the time I answered one…..
hugh g rexshun on
April 13th, 2008 11:05 am
Hi super smart and sexy Marina,
I have a couple of requests for you.
Firstly I would like to know the origins and the meaning of the phrase “The living daylights”.
Secondly how about the word offspring as in the young of a species, what is its origin?
Keep up all the good work you sweet lexicon of love. ;D
Hugh G Rexshun
toysjoe replied on April 13th, 2008 2:01 pm:
….very funny. Huge Erection.
pennsyltucky9 replied on April 13th, 2008 4:38 pm:
Reminds me of my old pal, Pat McGroin.
prospero811 replied on April 15th, 2008 5:57 am:
He’s friends with Phil McCracken and Dick Hertz.
runawayscott on
April 13th, 2008 10:20 am
Well as far as I can tell, I guess it’s tulip or for some reason I think it might be turtle. it’s spelled kind of like turban
toysjoe on
April 13th, 2008 9:20 am
Is it just me, or is this lesson NOT available on Podcast?
ragabashmoon replied on April 13th, 2008 7:46 pm:
Yeah seems all of Marina’s podcasts got deleted. Maybe iTunes is having issues or something, I don’t know.
robin643 on
April 13th, 2008 8:11 am
How about investigating the origins of the phrases “hunky dory” (as in everything being just fine); “spitting image” (as in two people who look very much alike), and “up my alley” (as in something or particular interest)?
stokesjrj1 replied on April 13th, 2008 8:31 am:
She’s already done that one i think.
robin643 replied on April 13th, 2008 8:46 am:
Yes, you’re right ; I saw “spitting image” later, but not “up my alley” or “hunky dory.”
Hello Marina,
I love your show and have watched all and think I am up to date now
I would love if you would do the origin of the word “Zodiac”. For your first Z word. lol need to fill up the letters on the request list
need a couple other letters too but I didnt want to be greedy and just hoping you pick Zodiac heh
Thanks for the great vids!
Later,
Zodiac
ragabashmoon replied on April 13th, 2008 7:45 pm:
Heh, yeah Zodiac would be cool, also Xylophone for an X word!
harveycasual on
April 13th, 2008 6:39 am
Hi Marina,
I do believe that it was a form of Scottish “head cheese” shaped like a Turkish turban. My Great great great uncle told me over the phone that he had one on his head while riding his camel in Vietnam!
At least that’s what I thought he said. The phone connection was quite fuzzy. Hmmm?
Cheers!
Harvey Casual
Bryson55 on
April 13th, 2008 5:50 am
Hi Marina!
There are some words that sound the same yet have opposite meanings…..reckless vrs wreckless raise vrs raze
resign vrs re-sign
love you!
Tim
eh11211 on
April 13th, 2008 5:26 am
Not sure if it’s just me, but your videos seem to have vanished from iTunes Marina… is HotForWords no longer available in iTunes?
ragabashmoon replied on April 13th, 2008 7:42 pm:
Yeah, still there for me… if you are able to click links in your web browser and have them open up in iTunes (should be able to, unless you have it disabled)…
should take you direct to the page in the ITunes Store
ragabashmoon replied on April 13th, 2008 7:43 pm:
Oh whoa you are right… just clicked and the PAGE is there, but there is no podcasts for download!!!! Whoa!!! Marina! What is going on?
dzimmy on
April 13th, 2008 5:13 am
And yea, can you tell me the origin of word POLICE? I’m wondering because it’s very similar in lot of languages. Hope you’ll investigate for me.
maronark on
April 13th, 2008 5:11 am
Dear HotForWords,
I fall in with those voting for two lips, oh, I mean tulips.
Word Request:
I find your site titillating. “Hmmm,” to borrow your phrase, what is that about? Following your example I did some home work on my own. I tried to break the word up into its parts. So starting with tit, I learned the OED lists 1 adverbial form, two verb forms and 7 noun forms for tit. I also learned the current common usage is rather recent, and that while Americans might say “my little chickadee,” to an object of their affection, a British subject might say “my little tit.” (Well, perhaps not.) But if a little tit is a small, roundish bird with a long TAIL how did “tits” association with breasts come about? Wow, its all so titillating!
Casting tits aside, I noted titular was also amongst words near titillating, and began to think about beauty and contests. Could it be that the title goes to contestant that has the most titillating tits?
Oh, i’m confused can you help? Would you be so kind as to expound on the etymology of titillating?
I found this very interesting and learned a lot. Hope you do too.
The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn’t just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the 1500s:
In the Spring they;
the towns people would get their berries sprouting, sometimes to early. the Winter, as we all know in the early months of April, especially in England, are very unstable, it could all of a sudden ice out of nowhere. So, People would have to throw straw over the tops of the berries to insulate them, and keep them from spoiling from over exposure to the weather. Hence the name (Strawberries)
Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married
.
Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, Don’t throw the baby out with the Bath water.
Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying It’s raining cats and dogs.
There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That’s how canopy beds came into existence.
The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, Dirt poor. The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on the floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway. Hence the saying a thresh hold.
(Getting quite an education, aren’t you?)
In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while Hence the rhyme, Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old.
Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, bring home the bacon. They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat.
Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous..
Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust.
Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a wake.
England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift) to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, saved by the bell or was considered a dead ringer.
And that’s the truth. Now, whoever said History was boring ! ! !, I Did?
In these days, before
the formulation of baby powders & salves,
there was no cure for the common bottom rash.
In which case, the only proven remedy for this affliction was saliva. People would then, be relegated to letting their Dogs lick the afflicted areas.
Usually the dogs would lick feverishly.
Hence the term,
(lickity split)
Long before the invention of dryers, people would have to hand wring out there laundry.
They would proceed to to front of the houses to hang dry their wears.
There wasn’t any such thing as backyards, these were only for the rich. laundry would all be put out for everyone to see,and if you didn’t have the cleanest of water this washing was sometimes considered futile.
(Dirty laundry),( lawn-dry)
stokesjrj1 on
April 13th, 2008 4:24 am
Oh yes i forget and take care of that voice we students couldn’t get bye for long without your wonderful lessons
stokesjrj1 on
April 13th, 2008 4:13 am
Hi Marina
I believe the object you are speaking of is a tulip. As in tulip mania.
I’ve only known about your website for two weeks. It’ great and your are absolutely Fantaselicious! What do you think of my new portmanteau.
Well, I have a word request for a friend that didn’t know the meaning of the word smitten. As in i am quiet smitten with your charm, beauty, and intelligence.
Also some day i would love too play among your hollow , dell and dingle. ha if only.
Моё судно на воздушной подушке полно угрей
Bob on
April 13th, 2008 4:10 am
It’s definitely a tulip, but it was the bulbs and not the flowers that commanded the dot.com prices. The flowers would, indeed, die but the bulbs would be capable of being reproduced; they were the golden eggs of their time and a good dealer could, allegedly, make up to 5-6000 florins a month at a time when the average ANNUAL income in Holland was only 150 florins.
tuxedo89 on
April 13th, 2008 4:04 am
Hey marina
i would love to go out for a candle light dinner with you… or your sister … and of course i would wear a tuxedo. wait a minute, tuxedo?
where does this word come from? would you please tell me the origin of that word? that’d be perfect…
anyways… is your sister single?
thank you and please keep up educating us
geronimo replied on April 14th, 2008 8:19 pm:
I don’t know what the word tuxedo means, but I used to live right next to Tuxedo N.Y. where the tuxedo was invented and thus the name.
xmorpheus3000 on
April 13th, 2008 3:43 am
If it really is tulips I feel kind of stupid, lol
Though, that’s pretty crazy, wouldn’t people realize that the tulips would die?
matalexwolf on
April 13th, 2008 2:47 am
That will be Tulip…… :
bigpine on
April 13th, 2008 2:36 am
Is ti tulip?
xmorpheus3000 on
April 13th, 2008 2:04 am
Ok, my guess is it’s a wig. At first I thought fez but I’m going to say wig (or rather, periwig is the proper word for them). I think wig because people wore them on their head, they’re turban kinda shaped, and 1600’s was about the right time for when they were really “big”.
I hope I’m right :-p.
Can anyone tell me where I can get a download of the Maxim radio shows that Marina has done? (Or Marina, can you tell me where I can find them?)
aethenoth replied on April 13th, 2008 4:34 am:
I don’t know if you can download them but you can listen to them under the interviews tab up above.
I would love for you to investigate the origin of the word/name “Marina.” I am just guessing but I think it comes from the Greek word meaning: the most beautiful and intelligent female known to mankind…or something like that. I enjoy the lessons. Thanks.
Bill
fostera350 on
April 13th, 2008 1:56 am
here you are hotforwords i know you are the best when it comes to word origons and stuff so here is an oxymoron i have compossed for you
“Ever noticed that it’s simply impossible to find seriously funny oxymorons online? The only choice is to ask one of those paid volunteers at the library – the ones in the long-sleeved T-shirts – for an original copy of some obviously obscure documents that were found missing amongst some paperwork almost exactly one hundred years ago”.
what do you think XXX
pennsyltucky9 replied on April 13th, 2008 4:34 pm:
How can something be “found missing amongst some paperwork?”
fostera350 on
April 13th, 2008 1:50 am
hey hotforwords babe
intellegance is sexy bbut, i think if you can find the origon and why and how people would have come up with this word, this would really impress me
here is the word
PNEUMONOULTRAMICROSCOPICSILICOVOLCANOC ONIOSIS
PS have u checked ur inbox messages in youtube from FosterA350
ragabashmoon replied on April 13th, 2008 7:37 pm:
Yeah not gonna happen. Watch her video on Flaliswhatever and she says this word isn’t gonna happen lol
Guest the word game X. Is it Tulip?
Ok, so I went on this website http://www.freerice.com and they asked me what the word humbug meant. Now I thought that hum was short for humble and bug are really innocent and small so I thought it must’ve meant humble. I found out that humbug means hoax so can you please tell me why is that?
P.S. if you haven’t heard of it go to http://www.freerice.com it is there to check ur vocabulary level and the more you answer correct the more rice you donate. Since ur a philologist i know you will love that site.
p.p.s my vocab level is 30 wts urs?
….what’s the origin of the words “horny”?
My Dear Teacher,
I agree with tuxedo89 and want to konow the origin of the name for this kind of suit….
Kisses my gorgeous!!!!
Hi my dar teacher!!!!
I’m together with tuxedo89 wanting to know the origin of the name o’this vest….
Thanks sweetheart :))
the great depression during the early 1900 hundreds
when the stock market crashed the whole world went to a small depression
tulip bulb bubble…
“In 1623, a single bulb of a famous tulip variety could cost as much as a thousand Dutch florins (the average yearly income at the time was 150 florins). Tulips were also exchanged for land, valuable livestock, and houses. Allegedly, a good trader could earn six thousand florins a month.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip_mania
Surely it must be tulip bulbs……
tulip
This one I really did know for sure!!
It´s the tulipflower, I read about these crazy times when people would kill for those!
By the way … was is it called a stockmarket, and a share in a company called a “stock” …??
still no stars at the bottom of the video but now I can rate you as a
********* (top of the nine..)
your dear student / Swedehunter
I’d say the answer is tobacco. An ancestor of mine made it big back in 1635 in Jamestown, Virginia growing tobacco on 5 different plantations.
I believe the word is tulip
Dutch tulips are what you’re descibing. Didn’t look, didn’t need to.
Again, the rating stars were missing. 5 Stars!
for guess the word game X in u tube i have posted .. toga ..
Another too-easy one
Just google “Turkish word for turban” and the third entry has it. You should google-proof things, it makes it harder and for those of us who always come late it gives us a better chance of winning 
Yes, tulip bulbs it is. Anyone that has Holland/Dutch grandparents might know that answer. And anyone that has studied price theory such as the stock market, or former gold and silver price charts, should know about that before doing serious trading. I give you the usual great five stars rating dear teacher Marina for this lesson, but there isn’t a link for it today. I heard the most recent 4/11/08 Maxim Siruis radio broadcast with you, and I don’t think it is something to devote more time to. http://www.hotforwords.com/wp-includes/images/smil ies/icon_sad.gif
Regarding: Ship Hold In Transit, or manure. What shall I do with the informational value content of your message? With whom to share this with? It represents a dead end to me, not warranting further attention. But, if other people need this and there is a market demand for this kind of adult programing, so be it. I would like to end this on a positive note dear teacher. Since I never made a video, and you have had more than 42,000.000 views of your videos, you are the one with demonstrable proven cash flow talent. Keep up the good work!
TULIP.
The answer is tulip and what you were idcussingwas “Tulip Mania” that occurred in the Netherlands and caused a major economic “bubble” and a depression in the Hetherlands that lasted fo for several years.
The following is a link to the Wikipedia webpage for “Tulip Mania”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip_mania
Thank yoiu and keep up with the great lessons.
I am great with computers, great with history, fair at philiology, but I can’t spell or type.
o and the origin of the word nipple, why the hell do they call it that…
- vhfan100
hey Marina, could you give me the origin of the word devastate plz ?
thanks.
Hello I would like to request a word. It would be awesome if you coulddo this word thanks alot!! Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
What is the origin of the word fuck. When did it become a word for sexual intercourse and why is it considered derogatory?
my dear teacher,
tulip bulbs it has to be.
the word tulip is of Turkish and there was a big craze for them with high prices until the Dutch began farming them on a large scale and the price fell.
i have another guess the word game….
it is not a tulip, but its name also comes from Turkish.
it was very popular as a drink until tea and coffee came into use.
then its value also fell but it wasn’t as big a boom and bust as with tulips.
what is the word?
I wan’t to know the origin of retard.
Ah, I couldn’t find it, thanks.
I have a word request how about Déjà vu
I have a strange feeling she did that one before
funny
;D …BTW, it occurred to me maybe you could contact that stupid website about the PS thing and get them to take it down. You could even threaten to sue if you need to, I think… as you say, who wants to be portrayed in such a way? It’s libelous!
I didn’t get TULIP. I am sooooo dumb
In my opinion it is a weak claim of libel.
Libel/slander requires a false clam, expressly stated or implied to be true, that is also defamatory (harmful to reputation). So, we have to first look at what was actually said. If it’s the TMZ article, all they said was:
“Hey Buuuuddy! Pauly Shore was seen leaving Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills with YouTube’s “Hot for Words” philologist gal,”
Technically, that is a true statement. They were seen leaving Mr. Chow. TMZ did not allege that they were on a date, ate dinner together or even knew each other beforehand. That conclusion is left up to the reader. So, it would be hard to even get passed the “truth” element of the libel claim. Truth is an absolute defense.
Another defense is “good faith.” Even a false statement made under the honest and reasonable belief that it was true is not libelous. TMZ would argue they were acting in good faith.
Then there’s the “damage to reputation” element. Now, I would certainly think that the lovely Marina being seen with Pauly Shore is damaging to her reputation. However, Pauly Shore is an accomplished actor and comedian, so TMZ would plausibly argue that there’s no damage and that Marina, a relative unknown compared to Shore, would actually have her reputation enhanced by being alleged to be with Shore.
Lastly, Marina is fast turning into a “public figure” like any other actor or actress or celebrity. Libel claims are far harder to press against public figures because even a false and defamatory/damaging statement is not actionable unless they show malice - which means that TMZ would have had to have known the statement to be false, or issued the statement with reckless disregard as to its truth. That makes it difficult indeed because Marina would have to prove not only that they were wrong, but that TMZ had actual knowledge that they were lying or that they went forward in complete and utter disregard of whether they were telling the truth.
I just watched the TMZ video shot of Marina and Pauly leaving the restaurant. To me it doesn’t seem like they were together. It seems like they were just walking out, and Pauly - who generally seems (despite my slamming him, which is just my way of joking around) like good, laid-back, congenial guy - kind of starts interacting with her because she’s hot. He was just having fun.
OK. I’m a journalist, trained in media law (hence my interest in words). I am aware of the definition and legal tests for libel (and slander). I am also aware that the website “cleverly” protected itself against these tests. As we are not in a court of law (as far as I am aware), I felt I might just get away with an IRONICALLY HUMOUROUS statement.
This is the amusing joke: it’s libelous because Pauly Shore is a putz and no hot chick like Marina should be seen with him, whatever the circumstances. Tee hee. This is analogous to your stated “joking around” although the evidence suggests you have a possibly unorthodox take on “joking around”.
Meanwhile, you may have noticed my somewhat circumspect approach to the facts in my posting, above. I did this because Marina has stated, or, if you insist, Judge, implied strongly (as I’m sure, as an habitué of this site, you are aware) that she would rather people did not look at the aforementioned video article about her.
What you have done is given enough detail for anyone over the age of eight to find the article in less than a New York minute. But you made your point, and that’s the main thing.
I’m sure you are super-brainy, but it is often an error to assume those around you are, by default, stupid, or, at least, less intelligent. It can make you look foolish. As can writing “false clam” instead of “false claim”.
Huh - presumined - you seem somewhat hypersensitive. I didn’t attack you. Nor did I imply you weren’t intelligent or educated. Because my post explained what libel and slander meant and applied it to the Pauly Shore thing doesn’t say anything about you at all. If you took it that way, please note that it was not intended that way.
Thanks for the spelling correction. It’s much appreciated. I like to be accurate with spelling and grammar (or at least close), but I don’t have time to proofread. Occasionally, I slip up.
I’m not sure what you mean when you say my “joking around” is unorthodox. I made some derogatory comments about Pauly Shore - but I was kidding, really, because I don’t know him. Although you used a different word (”putz”) to describe Shore, I basically said the same things about him as you did.
As for blaming me for ready access to the video clip - I think I may have been among the last to see that video. Others here had already mentioned it. And “any 8 year old” can find it in less than 1/2 of that New York minute anyway (without my post). All one has to do is google it.
You have see this in terms of REAL LIFE. I write something, you respond. Your response is perceived by me to be pompous and patronising. Ergo, I am offended.
(The above is a fact you can in no way dispute. You have to accept that you have no control over my perception. You display a distinct, almost worrying, lack of empathy.)
My suggestion as to your possibly unorthodox take on “joking around” was part of my theory that you are apparently unaware of the use of irony in humour. In fact, I see you as humourless.
Your thanks for the typo correction, I perceive to be disingenuous.
Your point about being able to Google the article is moot. People tend only to look at the most recent message thread (especially casual visitors). There was no reference to the article in this thread. So I was circumspect. You, however, gave full details in the part of the site most viewed. Hence, you stirred up renewed interest.
Think laterally. It’s kinda fun.
Whoa….I didn’t really “respond” - I threw my two cents in. I wasn’t arguing with you, or at least I did not intend to argue. I realize you perceived my response in a certain way, and in now way at all do I pretend to control your perceptions. I merely explained that your complaint (that I implied that you were not smart or educated, or something like that) was not something I at all intended. I have no idea how much you know about anything - I expect there are many things you know that I don’t, and for all I know your IQ is double mine. Even if it isn’t I think you’re posts are fun to read and pithy, so I’m not sure why it matters.
You are free to believe what you want, but if I truly lacked empathy I would not have gone to the time and trouble to explain myself and attempt to assuage your offense. Again, I meant none. I intended none.
I thought your post was funny, and I responded in a partly serious (because I thought Marina might have been interested) and partly joking manner (my treatment of Pauly Shore, etc.). I really am at a loss for why you think I attacked you, which is plainly what you do think.
Several other people here have said they enjoyed my posts and contributions and thought them funny. I think if you read some other ones you would find them to be at least as good attempts at humor as your post was - some plays on words, dirty spoonerisms, etc.
Now, having said all that, and once again, tried to be polite and assure you of my good intentions, you make direct personal attacks on me. You claim I am disingenuous when I am not (you, however, clearly were when you pointed out such a small thing with the obvious intent to belittle me). I, however, do not get offended when someone corrects me like that. I think it’s just fine with me, and I’m not being disingenuous at all.
You think nobody knew the site that showed Marina and Pauly, or that they’re just not going to be concerned about it until they see my post? I think you credit me too much there. I am sure people are able to come to their own decisions as to what they’re interested in. Plus if you’ve seen the video, Marina has nothing to be embarrassed about and it actually shows clearly that they’re not dating. If more people saw it, they’d know the rumor wasn’t true.
So, in closing, I’ll be more mindful of lateral thinking, if you’ll give parallel thinking a try.
popcorn, anyone?
A psychologist may argue that you are, in fact, not displaying empathy by writing these posts but demonstrating your relentless need to feel powerful by being proved right.
Meanwhile, you are falling into traps of your own making. You state: “I really am at a loss for why you think I attacked you, which is plainly what you do think.” How can you possibly know what I think? This suggests maybe you do subconsiously believe you control, or can read, people’s perceptions and thoughts.
If, instead, you read what I have written you may see that I do not speak of an attack. I speak of my view that you are pompous and patronising. I dislike pompous people and I loathe being patronised.
You further state: “You claim I am disingenuous when I am not (you, however, clearly were when you pointed out such a small thing with the obvious intent to belittle me).” Again you appear to be telling me what I am thinking. Maybe I should have been more blunt: yes, I dislike you and, yes, I intend to belittle you by pointing out that you referred to a “false clam”. I should have thought that was fairly obvious. How disingenuous is that?
I believe your suggestion that I “think nobody knew the site that showed… or that they’re just not going to be concerned about it until they see my post?” is infantile. My point again, for the third time: if you don’t keep repeating the details, it is less likely renewed interest shall be generated…
Your apparent lack of empathy and pronounced linear thought process suggests a diagnosis within the autism spectrum. If this is the case then I sincerly apologise for my own posts and suggest you seek the help of a specialist.
I’m finding this tedious. This site seems less fun now.
I shall not respond to you again.
Presumined - give me a break. Whatever tediousness you find is your own doing. I’ve never claimed to be right, and if it makes you feel better I’ll admit that I’m wrong. I’ve never actually “claimed” anything at all, though.
“How can you possibly know what I think?” I’m just going by your post - in which you said that you felt that I had assumed you to be “by default, stupid, or, at least, less intelligent. It can make you look foolish.” And you also said, that I was “pompous and patronising. Ergo, I [you] am [were] offended.” And the general character of your posts were clear to me that you had taken offense to me. If you haven’t taken offense, then that’s good. If you have, then I regret that.
You now say this, “This suggests maybe you do subconsiously believe you control, or can read, people’s perceptions and thoughts.” Sir, you accused me of “assuming’ you were stupid. Therefore, is it not you who asserted knowledge of my thoughts, not vice versa? You PLAINLY STATED you were “offended” - your words, not mine. I was trying to correct your misapprehension that I claimed you were stupid, which appeared to me to be the source of your “offense.” I don’t claim to know what you think - I only read your posts.
You loathe being patronized, you say - however, you are quite good at it - it’s all you’ve done. You say you don’t speak of an “attack”, which is the sense I got from your post, but as I said - you did speak directly about being “offended” by me. For me to offend you I must have written something that you perceived as offensive to you. If you’re saying that’s not an “attack” then that’s settled then.
You said, “Again you appear to be telling me what I am thinking. Maybe I should have been more blunt: yes, I dislike you and, yes, I intend to belittle you by pointing out that you referred to a “false clam”. I should have thought that was fairly obvious.” You’re right, I interpreted the tenor of your post and pointing out my spelling error as a disingenuous attempt to belittle me. And then you tell me that my interpretation was dead-on correct! Think about it - I’m not telling you what you are thinking, your posts are very clear on that.
You then make the absurd claim that I “keep” repeating the details. I never STATED the details in the first place, other than to say one can google it, and in my first post I said three letter name of the source. If I wanted to state the details, I’d have copy and pasted the link.
You close your post, again, with direct attacks against me, which were completely unprovoked. I have displayed no lack of empathy - just the opposite actually, along with the patience of Job. My thought process is far from linear, and linear thinking, by the way, is not a symptom of autism. If I had autism, it wouldn’t be anything to be ashamed of. It’s serious health condition, and not one that can be diagnosed by you based on a few posts on a website.
You accused me several times of telling you what you think, etc. Yet, isn’t that what you’ve claimed to know about me? You ascribed to me disingenuous-ness and made assumptions about what I think, accused me of lacking empathy. You even went so far as to evaluate my thinking process! You seemed to take extreme umbrage when you said that you thought I had made assumptions about what you think, yet you wasted no time at all doing exactly what you accused me of doing (and worse).
I’ll leave this on a positive note. You seem like a nice person who misinterpreted what I intended as a very benign contribution. I have tried in every one of my responses to you to make it clear that I don’t dislike you (I can’t like or dislike you, since I don’t know you, and don’t judge you personally based on your posts here), don’t think you are stupid, and don’t think you have a mental disability.
I NEVER MEANT TO OFFEND YOU. For my part, I’ll forgive you the vile statements you’ve made to me, and wish you all the best in life. Cheers!
Right now I have deja vu and amnesia at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this before.
I didn’t read all this before
No wonder I don’t get invited out to dinner much, my english roots are showing 
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=1fuDDqU6n4o
WORD REQUEST!
cootie
pink elephant
berserk
limelight
Lucky rabbits foot, where did that come from???
the homework is simple; the word is tulip. A new request is the word is the word ‘cookie’.
What is the origin of the word “noob”
Hi Marina,
i would like to know where the term “cold-turkey” came from. like when someone quits drinking they say “i went cold-turkey”
Hi Marina,
I know you usually investigate words, but would you be willing to a phrase? I’ve always been curious as to the origin of the phrase ‘to jump on the bandwagon’. Thanks! Happy philologizing :D!
-Aaron
Hey its vanfan11 again and I wanted to tell you to please please please do striptease. Define it and then do a striptease your self. Start with a bunch of clothing on and then go all the way down into a thong and bra. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE. Its not that bad. You can do it. And it would be great for you to do both. Define striptease not to strip or stripping make sure you define striptease. Then say this is for you VanFan11 and do your striptease all the way down to your thong and bra. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dude, chill. If you want to see a woman strip, I’m sure you could find something on the net (it’s a big place). I think Marina is just trying to take a more fun approach to the whole learning and education format.
Plus is the etymology for “Striptease” not just the action of striping, acts to tease an observer.
You only need to ask once.
I think that the word for the game has to be either turnips or tulips, and since I cannot imagine such a high demand for turnips I’m going with the beautiful flower, tulips.
TULIP BULBS
The word I was thinking of is striptease. Striping is easy but where do they get striptease? Also if you demonstrate a striptease, that would be great. My youtube account name is Parodiy218. Subscribe to us and accept us as your friend. And don’t forget define striptease show us a striptease all the way down untill you get to a bra and a thong.. Please do this
This is ridiculous.
Why do you think this is ridiculous?
Sure it’s ridiculous. Imagine how quickly the discussions we get into on this blog would degenerate into a pool of poodlepoop if she did stuff like that! It would be all over.
The idea is still entertaining though, I have to admit.
Yeah, about the only thing I think she’d do in that respect is if she learned the Zapaderin belly dance. It’s like a striptease belly dance, but you never actually get to see anything, it’s all one big tease… like OMG We’re about to see nip… oh nevermind… oh she’s gonna show her… oh rats…
I’ve asked belly dancers if they know it, one knew OF it but couldn’t do it, she was pretty sure she’d not be able to do it perfectly which is necessary to be perfect.
I can’t speak for our dear teacher Marina, but maybe what you are looking for is at youtube.com/, hotforwords, view all prior 140 videos, and check out her June 15, 2007 posting of Abracadabra: Magic Trick. As you might find out some day vanfan11, you are close to the center of your universe, but not necessarily everyone else’s. Miss Marina may not find it in her own personal interest to do a striptease for you. She might have other career objectives, or a boyfriend. jambo 87, got it correct below.
What about the word …..
ORIGAMI
:D:D:D:D
Great stuff Hotforwords.
I love the lessons.
I was wondering from where the words concerning money come.
For instance: money, cash, buck, dollar…
Dear Marina,
I figure if it started in Turkey and it’s a form of headwear, felt fezzes might figure prominently. Perhaps these even morphed gradually into tall, brimmed hats in other areas, giving rise to other styles like the classic Puritan hat design, who knows. But tulips? Hmmmm. Did I miss something?
Time will tell, or you will eventually. I’m holding my breath until the next posting. You certainly are prolific, dear teacher.
Hi marina my gess wouldbe the top hat. hug and kisses to teacher.
Hi Marina,
The thing that you’re talking about is a tulip.
And here’s an interesting anecdote I found about this insane crave for tulips in the 1600s:
A wealthy merchant had paid 3,000 florins (280 pounds sterling) for a rare Semper Augustus tulip bulb, and it disappeared from his warehouse. After thoroughly searching his warehouse, he saw a sailor (who had mistaken the tulip bulb for an onion) eating it. The sailor was promptly arrested and spent months in jail.
You’re amazing! So keep up the good work!
E
Eww wonder if it tasted good? Guess it had to taste better than a RAW onion, yuck.
I read that this merchant also had a collection of church organs. He was always said to preferred tulips on his organ instead of roses…….
Im going to guess tulip because a turban i quess kinda looks like the bud of tulips.
And the turkish word is tülbent, and the 1st three letters are the same as tulip.
Also i read a article on tulips at the doctors office and it said people used to spend 1500 US on them.
Hello, My Dear Teacher,
The GTW X would be “Tulip”
I have a word request fro you. Actually 2 words just because they go together.
“Driveway and Parkway”
We park in our “driveway” and drive on our “parkway”
Weird huh?
The word Passion…where did it come for
_ 
Hi Marina,
Need you help to share the origin of the word “Jerry” and better if you find who is the one who start to use the word “Jerry” as name
Thanks & Have a Great Day ahead!
Cheers,
Jerry Ong @ http://www.jerryong.com
Dear Teacher!
I would like you to investigate for the Orign of the Phrase:
“I’m feeling blue!”
greetings from germany
peachy
hello gorgeous marina
can you tell me why people say “can i be frank” or “can i be frank with you”
who is this frank guy and where did he come from??
bye
I’ll be frank if you’ll be earnest.
Hi, Marina I have watched almost al your videos just never posted a comment i was wondering if you could do the word Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakit anatahu
I think its the longest word in the english language.
Thanks !
It’s a Maori name for a hill in New Zealand.
It means “The Summit where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, the climber of mountains, the land-swallower who traveled about, played his nose flute to his loved ones.”
What happened to Marina’s podcasts? I can’t get the new one and the old ones are gone.
1. That’s not English.
2. Guess since it’s not English it’s ok for you to answer it, but when it really is English, try not to answer them, or else Marina will not be able to make videos for us!
I’m still waiting for my spanking from Marina for the time I answered one…..
Hi super smart and sexy Marina,
I have a couple of requests for you.
Firstly I would like to know the origins and the meaning of the phrase “The living daylights”.
Secondly how about the word offspring as in the young of a species, what is its origin?
Keep up all the good work you sweet lexicon of love. ;D
Hugh G Rexshun
….very funny. Huge Erection.
Reminds me of my old pal, Pat McGroin.
He’s friends with Phil McCracken and Dick Hertz.
Well as far as I can tell, I guess it’s tulip or for some reason I think it might be turtle. it’s spelled kind of like turban
Is it just me, or is this lesson NOT available on Podcast?
Yeah seems all of Marina’s podcasts got deleted. Maybe iTunes is having issues or something, I don’t know.
How about investigating the origins of the phrases “hunky dory” (as in everything being just fine); “spitting image” (as in two people who look very much alike), and “up my alley” (as in something or particular interest)?
She’s already done that one i think.
Yes, you’re right ; I saw “spitting image” later, but not “up my alley” or “hunky dory.”
Hello,
I guess it is a share…
bye
Hello Marina,
I love your show and have watched all and think I am up to date now
I would love if you would do the origin of the word “Zodiac”. For your first Z word. lol need to fill up the letters on the request list
need a couple other letters too but I didnt want to be greedy and just hoping you pick Zodiac heh
Thanks for the great vids!
Later,
Zodiac
Heh, yeah Zodiac would be cool, also Xylophone for an X word!
Hi Marina,
I do believe that it was a form of Scottish “head cheese” shaped like a Turkish turban. My Great great great uncle told me over the phone that he had one on his head while riding his camel in Vietnam!
At least that’s what I thought he said. The phone connection was quite fuzzy. Hmmm?
Cheers!
Harvey Casual
Hi Marina!
There are some words that sound the same yet have opposite meanings…..reckless vrs wreckless raise vrs raze
resign vrs re-sign
love you!
Tim
Not sure if it’s just me, but your videos seem to have vanished from iTunes Marina… is HotForWords no longer available in iTunes?
Yeah, still there for me… if you are able to click links in your web browser and have them open up in iTunes (should be able to, unless you have it disabled)…
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/ viewPodcast?id=265783864
should take you direct to the page in the ITunes Store
Oh whoa you are right… just clicked and the PAGE is there, but there is no podcasts for download!!!! Whoa!!! Marina! What is going on?
And yea, can you tell me the origin of word POLICE? I’m wondering because it’s very similar in lot of languages. Hope you’ll investigate for me.
Dear HotForWords,
I fall in with those voting for two lips, oh, I mean tulips.
Word Request:
I find your site titillating. “Hmmm,” to borrow your phrase, what is that about? Following your example I did some home work on my own. I tried to break the word up into its parts. So starting with tit, I learned the OED lists 1 adverbial form, two verb forms and 7 noun forms for tit. I also learned the current common usage is rather recent, and that while Americans might say “my little chickadee,” to an object of their affection, a British subject might say “my little tit.” (Well, perhaps not.) But if a little tit is a small, roundish bird with a long TAIL how did “tits” association with breasts come about? Wow, its all so titillating!
Casting tits aside, I noted titular was also amongst words near titillating, and began to think about beauty and contests. Could it be that the title goes to contestant that has the most titillating tits?
Oh, i’m confused can you help? Would you be so kind as to expound on the etymology of titillating?
My very best to you,
Maronark
Isn’t it TOPPER?
I found this very interesting and learned a lot. Hope you do too.
The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn’t just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the 1500s:
In the Spring they;
the towns people would get their berries sprouting, sometimes to early. the Winter, as we all know in the early months of April, especially in England, are very unstable, it could all of a sudden ice out of nowhere. So, People would have to throw straw over the tops of the berries to insulate them, and keep them from spoiling from over exposure to the weather. Hence the name (Strawberries)
Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married
.
Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, Don’t throw the baby out with the Bath water.
Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying It’s raining cats and dogs.
There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That’s how canopy beds came into existence.
The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, Dirt poor. The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on the floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway. Hence the saying a thresh hold.
(Getting quite an education, aren’t you?)
In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while Hence the rhyme, Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old.
Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, bring home the bacon. They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat.
Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous..
Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust.
Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a wake.
England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift) to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, saved by the bell or was considered a dead ringer.
And that’s the truth. Now, whoever said History was boring ! ! !, I Did?
In these days, before
the formulation of baby powders & salves,
there was no cure for the common bottom rash.
In which case, the only proven remedy for this affliction was saliva. People would then, be relegated to letting their Dogs lick the afflicted areas.
Usually the dogs would lick feverishly.
Hence the term,
(lickity split)
Long before the invention of dryers, people would have to hand wring out there laundry.
They would proceed to to front of the houses to hang dry their wears.
There wasn’t any such thing as backyards, these were only for the rich. laundry would all be put out for everyone to see,and if you didn’t have the cleanest of water this washing was sometimes considered futile.
(Dirty laundry),( lawn-dry)
Oh yes i forget and take care of that voice we students couldn’t get bye for long without your wonderful lessons
Hi Marina
I believe the object you are speaking of is a tulip. As in tulip mania.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/
I’ve only known about your website for two weeks. It’ great and your are absolutely Fantaselicious! What do you think of my new portmanteau.
Well, I have a word request for a friend that didn’t know the meaning of the word smitten. As in i am quiet smitten with your charm, beauty, and intelligence.
Also some day i would love too play among your hollow , dell and dingle. ha if only.
Моё судно на воздушной подушке полно угрей
It’s definitely a tulip, but it was the bulbs and not the flowers that commanded the dot.com prices. The flowers would, indeed, die but the bulbs would be capable of being reproduced; they were the golden eggs of their time and a good dealer could, allegedly, make up to 5-6000 florins a month at a time when the average ANNUAL income in Holland was only 150 florins.
Hey marina
i would love to go out for a candle light dinner with you… or your sister
… and of course i would wear a tuxedo. wait a minute, tuxedo?
where does this word come from? would you please tell me the origin of that word? that’d be perfect…
anyways… is your sister single?
thank you and please keep up educating us
I don’t know what the word tuxedo means, but I used to live right next to Tuxedo N.Y. where the tuxedo was invented and thus the name.
If it really is tulips I feel kind of stupid, lol
Though, that’s pretty crazy, wouldn’t people realize that the tulips would die?
That will be Tulip…… :
Is ti tulip?
Ok, my guess is it’s a wig. At first I thought fez but I’m going to say wig (or rather, periwig is the proper word for them). I think wig because people wore them on their head, they’re turban kinda shaped, and 1600’s was about the right time for when they were really “big”.
I hope I’m right :-p.
Can anyone tell me where I can get a download of the Maxim radio shows that Marina has done? (Or Marina, can you tell me where I can find them?)
I don’t know if you can download them but you can listen to them under the interviews tab up above.
Marina:
I would love for you to investigate the origin of the word/name “Marina.” I am just guessing but I think it comes from the Greek word meaning: the most beautiful and intelligent female known to mankind…or something like that. I enjoy the lessons. Thanks.
Bill
here you are hotforwords i know you are the best when it comes to word origons and stuff so here is an oxymoron i have compossed for you
“Ever noticed that it’s simply impossible to find seriously funny oxymorons online? The only choice is to ask one of those paid volunteers at the library – the ones in the long-sleeved T-shirts – for an original copy of some obviously obscure documents that were found missing amongst some paperwork almost exactly one hundred years ago”.
what do you think XXX
How can something be “found missing amongst some paperwork?”
hey hotforwords babe
intellegance is sexy bbut, i think if you can find the origon and why and how people would have come up with this word, this would really impress me
here is the word
PNEUMONOULTRAMICROSCOPICSILICOVOLCANOC ONIOSIS
PS have u checked ur inbox messages in youtube from FosterA350
Yeah not gonna happen. Watch her video on Flaliswhatever and she says this word isn’t gonna happen lol