- The word ‘Sheriff’ came from Shire Reeve. During early years of feudal rule in England, each shire had a reeve who was the law for that shire. When the term was brought to the United States it was shortened to Sheriff.
- ‘Blue Laws’, which regulate personal and public conduct on Sunday, got their name because they were originally printed on blue paper.
- In England and American colonies the year 1752 only had 354 days. In 1752, the type of calendar was changed, and 11 days were lost.
- The term ‘Mayday’ is used for signaling for help. It comes from the French term which is pronounced MayDay and it means ‘Help Me.’
- Clinophobia is the fear of beds.
- Number ‘4’ is the only number that has the same number of letters in its name as its meaning.
- The name ‘Hippopotamus’ comes from Greek for “River Horse.”
- Phrenology is the study of bumps on the head.
- Hagiology is the branch of literature dealing with the lives and legends of saints.
- Fortune cookies were actually invented in America on 1918 by Charles Jung.
- The month of July is named in honor of Julius Caesar.
Compiled and written by @iisumarni at @EnglishTips4U on Thursday, September 12, 2013
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^MD
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