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English Language Trivia

John P.

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In keeping with my fascination with completely useless trivia, here are a few facts you might not have known about the English language.

So, next time you are at lunch with the boys from work and start spouting out this crap to impress everyone just remember who loves ya…

  • Of all the words in the English language, the word ‘set’ has the most definitions!
  • What is called a “French kiss” in the English speaking world is known as an “English kiss” in France.
  • “Almost” is the longest word in the English language with all the letters in alphabetical order.
  • “Rhythm” is the longest English word without a vowel.

  • The word “queue” is the only word in the English language that is still pronounced the same way when the last four letters are removed.
  • Uncopyrightable is the longest word with no repeated letters.
  • The word checkmate comes from the Persian phrase “Shah Mat”, which means “the king is dead”.
  • In 1945 a computer at Harvard malfunctioned and Grace Hopper, who was working on the computer, investigated, found a moth in one of the circuits and removed it. Ever since, when something goes wrong with a computer, it is said to have a bug in it.
  • “Kemo Sabe” means “soggy shrub” in Navajo.
  • No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, and purple.
  • “Ough” can be pronounced in eight different ways. The following sentence contains them all: “A rough-coated, dough-faced ploughman strode through the streets of Scarborough, coughing and hiccoughing thoughtfully.
  • The “O” when used as a prefix in Irish surnames means “descendant of.”
  • The right side of a boat was called the starboard side due to the fact that the astronavigators used to stand out on the plank (which was on the right side) to get an unobstructed view of the stars. The left side was called the port side because that was the side that you put in on at the port.
  • The ZIP in Zip-code stands for “Zoning Improvement Plan.”
  • The term “devil’s advocate” comes from the Roman Catholic Church. When deciding if someone should be sainted, a devil’s advocate is always appointed to give an alternative view.
  • DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleicacid.
  • The word “robot” was created by Karel Capek. It came from Czech/Slovak “robotovat,” which means to work very hard.
  • The term “the whole 9 yards” came from W.W.II fighter pilots in the South Pacific. When arming their airplanes on the ground, the .50 caliber machine gun ammo belts measured exactly 27 feet, before being loaded into the fuselage. If the pilots fired all their ammo at a target, it got “the whole 9 yards.”
  • Switching letters is called spoonerism. For example, saying jag of Flapan, instead of flag of Japan.
  • “Underground” is the only word in the English language that begins and ends with the letters “und.”
  • “Freelance” comes from a knight whose lance was free for hire, i.e. not pledged to one master.
  • “Speak of the Devil” is short for “Speak of the Devil and he shall come”. It was believed that if you spoke about the Devil it would attract his attention. That’s why when your talking about someone and they show up people say “Speak of the Devil”
  • The dot over the letter ‘i’ is called a tittle.

Comments

  1. There are words that rhyme with purple, silver, and orange. (for purple -apple, dimple, pimple, simple); (for silver – river, quiver, shiver); (for orange – arrange, strange)

  2. it was so awsome reading the trivias here. It gained me much information about the English language. Referring to the statements above, i am annoyed too when people tend to talk like they know it all when they really don’t.

  3. Hi John,

    I loved “the bug in the computer” and “the Shat Mat”. I already new 5 of them.
    But most I loved your comment ab your Greek father living in America.
    10x for sharing!

    Ana

  4. Just wanted to let you know that underground is not the only word in the English language that begins and ends with “und”. My students pointed out to me that underfund also begins and ends with “und”.

  13. I love it!!..But I suggest, you add some more. but it was relly helping me with my report about english facts. i got high grade! thank you so much.. keep on posting more facts. i’ll wait for that. but please make sure that you won’t have any errors anymore. i read a lot of the comments. most of them are talking about your mistakes. but keep moving!!.. i’ll be waiting for more ok!!

  14. I’m from HK. First I think the longest word without vowel (contains ”y”) is TWYNDYLLYNGS.
    The defenition is ”twin”.
    If it is not contains ”y” it is CRWTH. A musical instrument.
    Beside ”underground”, it has ”underfound” and ”undebound” are the words in the English language that begins and ends with the letters ¡§und.¡¨
    It has many typing error. 1.French kiss¡¨ in the English speaking world (is word instead of world.)
    2.saying jag of Flapan ( is Japan not Flapen.)

  15. it’s good… i like it… i enjoy reading trivias specially english trivias… i hope they will add some more for additional knowledge for students…!!! ^_^

  16. Some very interesting facts there, great post.

    I especially like this one:

    What is called a “French kiss” in the English speaking world is known as an “English kiss” in France.

    Will be sharing this for sure :)

  17. This is great for picking up chicks with. I’ll definitely use the: “Rhythm” is the longest English word without a vowel.

    Me: “Rhythm” is the longest English word without a vowel. You want to see if you have any?
    Her: Sure
    Me: SCORE!

  18. Well, I think we can say I do speak Polishnglish. Could you take a look at my writings and give my some review? You know I will appreciate a lot ]:->

  19. You know, picking up on Derek’s comment about people doing English incorrectly… My father is a Greek immigrant, and he doesn’t really speak English. He speaks Greeklish. ;-) But after 40 years in America he’s getting better. Now at least the people at McDonald’s can understand him when he’s placing an order!

  22. I definitely enjoy the English trivia. In fact, I like English in general, but it can get a little bit annoying when it’s not done correctly. I very must enjoyed this random trivia post. My favorite was the “English kiss” and the “French kiss.” Maybe they have English fries? :P Okay bad joke…