Tag Archives: etymology

Ancient Word of the Day: Hell Kettle

Hell Kettle: n. A deep abyss or bottomless pool The deep pools in Darlington, Co. Durham in England are a part of fearsome local legend. These mysterious pools are said to have inspired Lewis Carroll’s endless rabbithole, where Alice tumbles into another world – in his classic book Alice in Wonderland. They are known asContinue reading “Ancient Word of the Day: Hell Kettle”

Ancient Word of the Day: Cuneiform

Cuneiform: n. The oldest known writing system that originated in Mesopotamia circa 3400BC. It was etched onto wet clay tablets using a wedge-shaped stylus. Cuneiform is the original ancient written language that underpins all modern forms of written communication. Many languages throughout a vast geographical span over thousands of years were written in cuneiform, includingContinue reading “Ancient Word of the Day: Cuneiform”

10 Interesting Things I found on the Internet #21

If the internet is making funny sounds and has crapped itself a few times in your house, well then perhaps it’s time for a reboot…. Mountains, Cass, 1936 by New Zealand painter Rita Angus Dead Can Dance- ACT II The Invocation video filmed in Bulgaria Dead Can Dance, one of the most primal and ancientContinue reading “10 Interesting Things I found on the Internet #21”

Ancient Word of the Day: Hooly

Hooly or Huly: Adv. ‘To proceed gently or softly, with steadiness or caution.’ Scottish/Irish The word Hooly first appeared in English in the 14th Century. It was found in the Scottish expression Hooly and Fairly, meaning ‘to proceed slowly, carefully and cautiously.’ Over time, the word came to have negative connotations and hooliness or hulinesssContinue reading “Ancient Word of the Day: Hooly”

Ancient Words of the Day: Anglii/Angle/Ankle

One of the oldest English words recorded is Anglii used first in the year 98 AD by Roman historian Gaius Cornelius Tacitus (ca. 56-120 AD) Anglii i.e “the Angles,” literally “people of Angul” (Old Norse Öngull). Tacitus wrote in 98AD in his book ‘Germania’ about the various Teutonic tribes he came into contact with includingContinue reading “Ancient Words of the Day: Anglii/Angle/Ankle”