エピソード

  • #3: Fee -- Medieval Wealth Was Actually Just Cows

    #3: Fee -- Medieval Wealth Was Actually Just Cows
    2026/04/08
    Explore the surprising origins of the word "fee" in this etymology deep dive. Contrary to common assumption, fee has nothing to do with payment or charges—it actually traces back to Old English feoh, meaning cattle or livestock, reflecting how wealth was measured in Germanic cultures.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    2 分
  • #2: Bankrupt -- The Broken Bench That Ended Businesses

    #2: Bankrupt -- The Broken Bench That Ended Businesses
    2026/04/07
    Discover the surprising origin of 'bankrupt' rooted in Renaissance Italy. The word comes from 'banca rotta'—literally a broken bench—stemming from the practice of smashing money changers' desks when they failed financially.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    2 分
  • #1: Salary -- Why Romans Were Paid in Salt

    #1: Salary -- Why Romans Were Paid in Salt
    2026/04/06
    Explore the popular myth that Roman soldiers were paid in salt, giving us the word 'salary' from Latin salarium. Modern scholars cast doubt on this origin story, revealing the truth behind one of history's most memorable etymologies.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    2 分