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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 article discusses the derogatory term "banana republic" and its historical origins. The term originally referred to politically unstable Central American countries that were economically exploited by U.S. corporations involved in the banana trade. The term later expanded to include any country politically dominated by foreign corporate interests. The article also mentions how the term was used in popular culture, such as in Woody Allen's film "Bananas." The article concludes by highlighting how no nation wants to be associated with the label of a "banana republic." [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the phenomenon of streaking, which became a national fad in the 1970s after spreading across college campuses. The term "streaking" originally referred to lines of color on animal coats and flashes of lightning, but it came to be associated with running naked through public places. The article traces the origins of streaking to the mid-1960s and highlights a memorable streaking incident at the 1974 Oscars. The fad eventually faded away, as fads tend to do. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the concept of "bait and switch" in the context of false advertising. It highlights a recent incident in Glasgow, Scotland, where a pop-up event called "Willy's Chocolate Experience" failed to deliver on its promises of an immersive Willy Wonka-themed experience. The article traces the origins of the term "bait and switch" and its association with fraudulent advertising practices. It also mentions how the expression has evolved to describe situations where one thing is promised but something less desirable is delivered. The article concludes by cautioning readers to be skeptical of extravagant promises and to be aware of the potential for bait-and-switch tactics. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the resurgence of an old Scottish term, "hurkle-durkle," which means to lounge in bed or stay in bed when one should be up and about. The word has gained popularity on social media platforms like TikTok, thanks to the British lexicographer Susie Dent, who shared it on Twitter in 2016. The word has since been widely shared and even featured in a video by actress and singer Kira Kosarin. The article explores the appeal of the word and suggests that it represents a retreat and a guilty pleasure, evoking feelings of comfort and enjoyment. [Extracted from the article]

The term "blob" has spread across various contexts, from science to politics, thanks to the cultural impact of the 1958 sci-fi movie "The Blob." The movie featured Steve McQueen in his first starring role and depicted an ever-growing amoeba-like alien that consumes everything in its path. Before the movie, "blob" was used to describe small globules or drops of liquid. However, it has since taken on more figurative meanings. The term has been used in biology to refer to slime molds and marine heat waves, and in politics to describe various groups and establishments. The word "blob" has continued to grow in popularity and usage since the release of the movie. [Extracted from the article]

During the Super Bowl, CBS commentator Tony Romo repeatedly used the term "leverage" to describe players' actions. Some viewers found this annoying and questioned its meaning. Romo used the term to describe positioning advantages, such as quarterbacks manipulating defenders or defensive backs aligning to push receivers' routes. The term "leverage" originally referred to a mechanical concept but has since been used metaphorically for positional advantage or the power to act effectively. It has also been used in business contexts, leading to its overuse and subsequent backlash. [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 concept of "snubs" in the entertainment industry, specifically in relation to the Academy Awards. It explains that the term "snub" originates from a Middle English word meaning a sharp rebuke or cutting remark. The article explores the etymology of the word and its usage in various contexts, including sports and awards ceremonies. It also highlights differing perspectives on the idea of a "snub," with some arguing that it is subjective and not everyone can be recognized. The article concludes by questioning whether it is time to retire the word "snub" from the show-business lexicon. [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 earliest version of Mickey Mouse lost its copyright protection on January 1. The Walt Disney Company had fought to extend the copyright, but it finally expired. However, Disney still holds rights to later versions of the character and retains a trademark on the name "Mickey Mouse." The name "Mickey Mouse" has had negative associations since the 1930s, being used as an adjective to describe something lacking in value or seriousness. Disney's legal team closely monitors the use of the name to protect their trademark. [Extracted from the article]

HERE'S a tip: if you see the words ''dictionary'' and ''scandal'' in a sensational headline, prepare to be disappointed. Last week, the British newspaper The Guardian broke a story from [...]

The article discusses the origin of the term "bowl" in college football bowl games. The term comes from an old English word for a round vessel used for holding liquids. The word "bowl" also refers to the game of bowls, played with wooden balls, which eventually led to the development of the familiar ten-pin bowling. The term "bowl" was used to describe the shape of early sporting arenas, and it was Yale that first used the term to name their stadium, the Yale Bowl. The Rose Bowl, named after the Tournament of Roses college football game, popularized the use of "bowl" in the name of other postseason college football contests. The term "Super Bowl" was coined by AFL founder Lamar Hunt when the AFL and NFL merged in 1966. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the title of the new biopic about Leonard Bernstein, called "Maestro," and explores Bernstein's complicated relationship with the term. While "Maestro" is traditionally used to honor those at the pinnacle of the conducting profession, Bernstein himself was hesitant to assume the title. The article traces the origins of the word "maestro" and its usage in the musical world, highlighting how it has been bestowed upon respected conductors throughout history. The film, starring Bradley Cooper, portrays Bernstein's personal struggles and his identity as both a successful conductor and an individual named "Lenny." [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]

Beyoncé's new concert film, "Renaissance," has generated high expectations as she brings the big-budget concert experience to cinema audiences. The title of the film references the historical period known as the Renaissance, which marked the transition from the medieval to the modern age. Beyoncé has used the term "renaissance" to describe her own personal rebirth and hopes that her fans will experience a similar liberation. The word "renaissance" has been used in various contexts throughout history, including the Harlem Renaissance and the self-help literature of the 20th century. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the historical connection between the bird "turkey" and the country of Turkey. The name "Turkey" for the country originated from medieval Latin and was later adopted in English. In the 16th century, the term "turkey" was applied to game birds, including the guinea fowl brought by Turkish traders and a bird from the Americas. Over time, the word "turkey" gained negative connotations, being used to refer to theatrical performances and later to denote failure. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed a desire for the country to be known as "Türkiye" to distance itself from the bird's name. However, the name "Turkey" continues to be widely used. The article concludes by suggesting that the name "turkey" can still be associated with gratitude, as symbolized by Thanksgiving. [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]

Elon Musk recently announced the launch of a chatbot named Grok, developed by his artificial intelligence startup, xAI. The name Grok comes from Robert Heinlein's 1961 science fiction novel "Stranger in a Strange Land," where it means "to understand deeply or intuitively." Musk, who has a fascination with Mars, seems to be aware of Heinlein's work, as he posted the title of the novel on social media. The term "grok" has had a lasting impact, being used by science fiction enthusiasts, countercultural circles, and computer programmers and hackers. [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 Philadelphia Eagles have been using a controversial play called the "tush push" in their football strategy, where players push the quarterback from behind to gain extra yards. The play has been effective but has faced calls for it to be banned. The term "tush" comes from Yiddish and refers to the rear end, and it has been used in various forms since the late 19th century. The Eagles' usage of the term may have been influenced by a similar football play called the "Bush push." The term "tush push" has also been used in other contexts, such as a country line dance and a short-track speedskating move. [Extracted from the article]