Words of Britain

Featured article

The meaning of "Xmas"

Where does the word "Xmas" come from? It seems to be a useful abbrieviation for "Christmas", and it is sometimes said that those lazily using it are "removing the Christ from Christmas". But what is the truth of the matter?

Read full article

Mews - top flight housing with a Medieval origin

Many of our words have shifted meaning over the years. For instance, it is well-known that mews houses were originally accommodation for horses and coachmen. But, in fact, the word has a slightly different original meaning.

Read full article
Feisty

The word feisty these days suggests an aggressive, determined, and admirably fierce smaller creature or person – someone or something with a great deal of spirit for their size. The connection may be not too apparent, but the word originally meant “full of farts”!

Read full article
Being Sinister - it's just not right!

The common current meaning of the word sinister is “ominous” or “presaging evil”. In traditional heraldry, however, from whence it comes, it means “on the left-hand side” eg. of a coat of arms, and was sometimes associated with an illegitimate descendant. The word "sinister" comes from the Latin for “left-handed”. Whereas "dexter" is the right-handed equivalent.

Read full article
Quixotic

Quixotic means someone or something that is romantic and unrealistic, or possessed by almost impossible hopes.

Read full article
Words for geographical features

The place names of Britain give a glimpse of our distant past. Many words are common in place names within a distinct area of the country, and are the last remaining fragments of former dialects.

Read full article
Croydon - once upon a time, full of flowers

Croydon in south London is these days a transport hub - very built up, busy and frantic (in the centre, at least). But, a long time ago, it is believed it was full of crocuses.

Read full article