jocular etymology

Etymology:

The term "jocular etymology" is derived from the Latin words "jocularis" (related to jokes) and "etymologia" (study of word origins).

Meaning:

Jocular etymology refers to the practice of assigning humorous or whimsical origins to words or phrases. It is a type of wordplay that plays with the perceived or actual history of language.

Origin:

Jocular etymologies have been around for centuries and have been found in various cultures. Some of the earliest known examples can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman times.

Examples:

• "Snickers" candy bar is supposedly named after the horse of the Greek god Dionysus, which had the habit of snickering softly.
• The phrase "God bless you" (after sneezing) is said to have originated when the Black Plague was prevalent and people thought sneezing was a sign of infection.
• The word "bungalow" is believed to have come from the Bengali word "bangala," meaning "of Bengal," because the style of house was popular in the Bengal region of India.

jocular relate terms

• joke

  Etymology The word joke originates from the Middle English term jopen meaning to j

• jocularity

  Etymology From Latin jocularis jesting sportful merry from jocus a joke jest

• jocular

  Etymology The term jocular etymology is derived from the Latin words jocularis rela

• juggle

  Etymology The word juggle derives from the Old French word jogleor which meant jes

• juggler

  Etymology Middle English jogelour jogeloure from Old French jogleor jugleor jongl

• combust

  Etymology Latin combustus past participle of comburere to burn Proto Indo European

• indefatigable

  Etymology Latin indefatigabilis Prefix in not Root defatigare to tire out exhaus

• Liverpool

  Etymology and Meaning The name Liverpool originates from two Old English words Lipe

• soccer

  Etymology of Soccer The word soccer is a shortened form of Association Football w

• ratline

  Etymology Ratline is a compound word consisting of rat and line Rat is derived f

• point

  Etymology The word point comes from the Latin word punctum which means a prick a d

• forgive

  Etymology The word forgive originates from the Old English word forgifan which mean

• banter

  Etymology Proto Germanic bantrian meaning to dispute quarrel Related to the Old En