What is a Mascot? Where Does the Word Come from?
When you buy a packet of Kellogg’s Frosties you see Tony the tiger looking strangely humanoid (like a human), and we have all been intimidated by the terrifying clown at McDonalds. These are mascots. Mascots are characters that represent a brand, a product, or a business. Wright English has Rupert the adorable (cute) fat robin. Rupert represents my lock-down tummy, my relaxed attitude to life, and he is permanently celebrating life like me.
Albino – Where Does That Word Come from?
Have you ever seen a white wallaby? A white squirrel? Have you been lucky enough to see a white peacock? I saw white (albino) wallabies in the zoo, and my brain went to where it always goes… where does the word albino come from?
Hindi’s Colourful Influence on the English Language
Britain and India have a long history together. As a result of this history, the English language has many Hindi words that we use every day without even thinking about it.
Nirvana - Heavenly spiritual enlightment
Enamoured - Where Does it Come From?
To be enamoured with something means to strongly like something.
The English language is heavily influenced by old French. In old French en = in, amour = love. So to be enamoured with something means to be in love with it. Knowing where a word comes from can help to remember it, and to remember how to spell it.
Ghost Words in the English Language
The English language has more words than any other language. It also has 'ghost words'. These are words that made it into the language by mistake.
Pub or Bar? What’s the difference?
The pubs (short for public houses) are opening again in England today. Have you ever wondered what the difference between a pub and a bar is?
Quarantine - where does it come from?
The word "quarantine" comes from "quarantena" which means 40 days in 14th and 15th century Venetian. This comes from sailors staying in their boats for 40 days before they could come onto dry land. This was during a pandemic.