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The article focuses on the emotional impact and evolving perceptions of parents experiencing the "empty nest" phase as their children leave for college. Topics include the origin of the "empty nest" metaphor, the personal experiences of parents navigating this transition, and the cultural and emotional responses to children moving out of the family home.

The word "weird" has become a prominent term in American political discourse, with Democrats using it to describe Donald Trump and JD Vance. However, the meaning of "weird" has evolved over time. Originally derived from the Old English word "wyrd," meaning "fate" or "destiny," it was later associated with the Fates from Greek and Roman mythology. In Shakespeare's "Macbeth," the word was used to describe the witches, and it took on qualities of mystery and the supernatural. In the 20th century, "weird" came to be associated with unconventional behavior or appearance. While it can have negative connotations, it can also be embraced as a prized quality for those who defy social norms. The use of "weird" in political discourse may have a greater impact when directed at Trump and Vance, given its association with progressive values. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the origin and spread of the word "fluffle," which is now commonly used to refer to a group of rabbits. The word was initially inserted into a Wikipedia entry as a prank by Canadian physics students in 2007. Although the entry was later deleted, the word gained popularity on other websites and social media platforms. The true origin of "fluffle" was revealed on a public radio show, where one of the students claimed credit for the coinage. The article also mentions that the creation of whimsical collective nouns for animal groups is not a new phenomenon, with examples dating back to the 15th century. [Extracted from the article]

The 100th anniversary of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" is being celebrated, prompting a reevaluation of the piece. Composed in 1924, the work combines jazz and classical traditions and is seen as a musical fusion that represents America's diverse culture. The term "rhapsody" comes from the Greek words meaning "to sew or stitch together" and "to sing," reflecting Gershwin's patchwork approach to composition. The term has evolved over time to also signify disjointed writing and highly enthusiastic or ecstatic sentiments. Gershwin's use of the term in "Rhapsody in Blue" aimed to bring Black musical traditions into the classical idiom. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the origins and history of soap operas, a genre of television shows characterized by sentimental and melodramatic storylines. The term "soap opera" was first used in the popular press in 1938 to describe radio serials, which were sponsored by soap brands like Oxydol and Ivory. The genre became hugely successful in the 1950s and beyond, targeting homemakers as its primary audience. While the term "soap opera" was often used disparagingly, the genre has gained popularity worldwide, known by different names in different countries. The article also mentions that the creator of the first soap opera, Irna Phillips, actually disliked the term "soap opera." [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the term "stochastic parrot" and its use in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Coined by linguist Emily M. Bender, the term refers to large language models that generate realistic-sounding language but do not truly understand its meaning. The term has gained popularity in the AI community as a way to critique the hype surrounding AI systems like ChatGPT. However, the term has also been misattributed to other researchers and interpreted as an insult to AI. [Extracted from the article]

The article explores the origins of the popular Christmas tradition known as "Secret Santa." The practice of exchanging anonymous gifts can be traced back to sororities and social clubs in Nebraska in the early 20th century. The term "Secret Santa" did not appear in U.S. newspapers until the early 20th century and was initially used to refer to anonymous benefactors giving gifts to needy children. Over time, the tradition spread to other states and eventually became a popular practice on college campuses and in office settings. Variations of the game, such as "Dirty Santa" and "Conspiracy Santa," have also emerged. [Extracted from the article]

In this article, linguist and lexicographer Ben Zimmer explores the origins and history of the word "crook" in light of President Richard Nixon's famous statement, "I am not a crook." Zimmer explains that the word "crook" can be traced back to an Old Norse term meaning a hook or a barb, and it has evolved to encompass various meanings over time. The term "crook" was later used in 19th-century American slang to refer to a thief or dishonest person, and it eventually became associated with corrupt politicians in the early 20th century. Nixon's statement added another layer to the word's semantic trajectory, making it synonymous with the Watergate scandal. [Extracted from the article]

Matthew Perry, known for his role as Chandler Bing on the TV show "Friends," was often associated with sarcasm. The word "sarcasm" comes from the Latin word sarcasmus, which in turn comes from the ancient Greek word sarkasmos. The Greek term is derived from a verb meaning "to speak bitterly" but has a literal sense of "to bite or strip off flesh." While sarcasm is often seen as biting or cutting, it is believed to be more related to biting one's own lip. The word "sarcasm" has evolved over time and has been used to describe a rhetorical trope where the surface meaning is at odds with the speaker's actual intention. In the early 20th century, British schoolboy slang shortened "sarcasm" to "sarc" and "sarky" as the corresponding adjective. Sarcasm can be conveyed through tone of voice, but in written form, it can be easily misunderstood. Attempts have been made to create punctuation marks or indicators to convey sarcasm, but they have not gained widespread use. Despite its negative connotations, sarcasm can also be seen as a cry for attention and a way to feign confidence. [Extracted from the article]

The article explores the different interpretations of the phrase "out of pocket" across different generations. For millennials and older individuals, it typically means being away from work and unavailable. However, for members of Gen Z, it can imply acting chaotically or inappropriately. The article highlights a viral TikTok video that showcases the cross-generational confusion surrounding the phrase. It also delves into the historical origins of "out of pocket," which originally referred to using one's own personal funds and later evolved to mean being financially strapped. Additionally, the article discusses how the meaning of "unavailable" or "out of reach" has been present since the early 20th century, particularly in Southern dialects. The article also touches on the appropriation of the phrase in hip-hop culture and emphasizes the importance of considering situational context and multiple meanings in language. [Extracted from the article]

The term "kayfabe," originally used in professional wrestling, has recently entered mainstream usage to describe political theater and playacting. Merriam-Webster defines "kayfabe" as the agreement between wrestlers and their fans to pretend that staged events are genuine. The origins of the term are uncertain, with theories suggesting it may have derived from pig Latin or old carnival lingo. While maintaining kayfabe was once crucial in wrestling, the rise of neokayfabe blurs the line between fact and fiction, as storylines extend beyond the ring. [Extracted from the article]