I was in a university lecture the other day and we watched a video, in which a British man used the word “Fortnight”. I know what this means, but we rarely use it in America. Where did this word come from? I can’t make any logical connection between the word and its meaning, can you?

Thanks and stay hot (for words).

I love this video (and the hairdo)!

I have a word request. What’s the origin of the word donut? Or is it doughnut?

Q

1) boonies. I know this probably came from the word boondocks. But why does this refer to a really remote location?

2) knock on wood. Why is knocking on wood considered to be a remedy for jinxing yourself?

3) Jinx.

I’d like to know the etymology of the suffix “-ish.” I overuse it constantly — hungry-ish, permanent-ish, happy-ish — so might as well know where it comes from. Does it have any relation to words such as “peckish” that end naturally in “-ish”?

thanks,
cme