2357: Franco-Belgian Border Stones Jun 1, 2021
A story broke the news recently of a Belgian farmer moving a border-stone into France, thereby shrinking France by a few square meters. The stones were officialized by the 1820 Treaty of Kortrijk but on the stones is written a few things which don't seem to go along with that. First, the stones say 1819 not 1820, but this is just because the stones were set before the treaty was finalized in March of 1820. They also have written on one side 'F' and on the other 'N'. It isn't 'north' and anyway the 'F' is for 'France'. Instead, when this treaty was signed, even though the borders remained mostly the same afterwards, Belgium was not a country and the territory it now comprises was for the most part within the borders of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands.
2352: Virginia Named after Elizabeth May 27, 2021
The US state of Virginia (technically a commonwealth) is name for the British monarchy of its time, as with the colonial settlement of Jamestown within. The commonwealth however is named after Queen Elizabeth and isn’t ‘Elizabethia’. Rather this is because she was known as the Virgin Queen. Some have also suggested that this comes from native names like 'Wingandacoa' or the name 'Wingina' but the problem with this is that the name of the commonwealth originally applied to basically all of British America including as far north as Maine, as far south as parts of the Caribbean those these eventually came to have their own designations. Indeed, other queens have had monikers like Elizabeth, the Queen Mother: wife to George VI, though this is confusingly also used to refer to Queen Elizabeth II, her daughter.
2340: Nicknames for Queen Elizabeth II May 15, 2021
Queen Elizabeth II goes by many names but within her own family she is known as 'Gary' and 'Cabbage'. Both are variations on other affectionate terms, with the former coming from a childish mispronunciation when a young Prince William had a hard time saying 'granny'. It stuck and now her grandchildren call her Gary affectionately. Her late husband Prince Philip called her Cabbage as a joking overly literal translation of the French phrase 'petit chou' which effectively means 'little darling' but literally means 'little cabbage'.
2338: Natural Rights vs. Human Rights May 13, 2021
There has been a decline in the use of the phrase 'natural rights' in favor of the phrase 'human rights'. This switch in preference really only occured around the year 2000 in literature though in common parlance may have been earlier. 'Natural rights' as a concept with slight variance in language occured in Greek and Roman philosophy as something innate and inalienable which all humanity have. This phrasing however has long had a theological understanding with the idea of people having been "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights" (US Declaration of Independence). This constitutes one way in which the notion of natural- and human rights differ, though some state the difference with natural rights being negatively defined (things not to be infringed upon) and human rights positively (things requisite to be given freely). In common use this positive-negative distinction is not always made however.
2321: Drunk-Driving vs. Drink-Driving Apr 25, 2021
In the US, driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol is often referred to as 'drunk-driving' while in the UK and Australia it is 'drink-driving'. While the phrases themselves are somewhat random of course, one theory on the difference is that of different connotations to 'drunk', with consideration to the fact that something can be considered DUI without necessarily being as drunk as one might associate with that word, and could include someone who appears more clear-headed. Either way these are not usual for laws and other official purposes and if the aforementioned theory is true, 'drunk-driving' can't be so easily changed now that has embedded itself in the cultural lexicon.
2312: The Use of the Term 'Byzantine Empire' Apr 15, 2021
The name for the Byzantine Empire as such really only came after the fall of the empire itself for complex religious and political reasons. For its near eleven centuries of existence after the fall of the city of Rome (and with it, the western half of the classical Roman Empire) it was known as the Roman Empire, or in Medieval Greek, Βασιλεία Ῥωμαίων (Basileía Rhōmaíōn). It was only in the Renaissance that Europeans—now with a goal of reviving and adapting many aspects of Classical Greek and Roman culture and thought—wished to draw a distinction between the ancient Latin-speaking, pagan Rome and later Christian, Greek-speaking Roman Empire, that the term Byzantine, from the Ancient Greek 'Byzantion', was renewed. That said, this term actually predates (ancient Roman) Emperor Constantine's move of the capital from Rome, and renaming of the city of Byzantion as Constantinople.
2310: Beyond MI5 and MI6...Even MI19 Apr 13, 2021
The UK's Directorate of Military Intelligence, beginning in its earliest stages by 1873, the only remnants of which are the MI5 (mostly domestic: counter-terrorism, counter-espionage and military police) and the MI6 (monitoring economic intelligence and arms trafficking). Not only were there at other points MI1-MI4, but all the way up to MI19. Primarily these operated during WWII, and were either completely dissolved (such as MI14 used to monitor Germany through aerial photography and messenger pigeons in WWII), merged into other organizations altogether, or in the case of MI3, MI8, and MI10, merged with MI6 in the 1940's. MI13 was never used.
2278: Mandatory Talmud in Korea Mar 12, 2021
The South Korean constitution guarantees that "religion and state shall be separated" but parts of the Talmud, a Jewish religious texts, is part of the national curriculum, even in primary schools. This isn't for any specific religious reason, but that in the latter half of the 20th century it was brought over and translated by rabbis in Japan where in both countries it was seen as a means of modelling Jews' high academic standards. Tae Zang publishing house originally printed its "5,000 Years of Jewish Wisdom" in 1974 followed by many others in Korean and China, with many Koreans using black-market talmudic translations.
2257: ...Doe, ...Roe & Other Official Pseudonyms Feb 19, 2021
A recent post discussed the way in which generic aliases are used for legal protection or for uncertainty in identity, such as John Doe in many English speaking countries. Along with this are other variants like Jane Doe for women, Johnny Doe and Janie Doe for children, and Baby Doe for infants. Indeed, there are many variations to the -oe family, like Richard Roe and Jane Roe, though only the feminine version is common these days. In investigations with lots of press attention, other first names have been used, like Cali Doe (1979), Princess Doe (1982), and Precious Doe (2001). Likewise, these have been used in the titles for US legal cases, such as the infamous Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, for Norma McCorvey and Sandra Cano respectively. This pattern of using Doe and Roe has been in place since the Middle Ages in England to varying official capacities.
2253: John Doe & Other Stand-In Names Feb 15, 2021
'John Doe' is the name given to men when there is not another name given for whatever reason for law enforcement in the US. More exist in the US for other purposes such as John Q. Public, and of course around the world similar names have been created. In Ancient Rome even the name was 'Numerius Negidius' for the defendant—a play on actual given names that comes to mean "I refuse to pay"—while 'Aulus Agerius', another pun-name from the verb 'agere' meaning 'to set in motion'. In some modern European countries another Latin one is used, but it isn't a pun; Nomen Nescio (n.n.) just means "I do not know the name". In religious Jewish contexts and sometimes secular Israeli ones, the name פלני אלמני (Ploni Almoni) is used as a stand-in, which is originally found in the Book of Ruth probably as a euphemism for Boaz. More on this at another point.
2220: House of Orange: Not from the Color Jan 12, 2021
The old Dutch Republic flag had an orange stripe, and bred orange carrots to celebrate the House of Orange. In truth, the color, named for the fruit, has nothing to do with this dynasty. Originally beginning in southern France known in Provençal Occitan as 'Aurenja', this group was actually took the name from a settlement named after a Celtic deity, Arausio. Spiritually, this was connected with water, so if anything the color associated with the House of Orange could be blue. That said, even Protestantism is often associated with the color orange because of the support from this Dutch principality in the religious wars of the time.
2203: French Revolutionary Calendar: Months Dec 26, 2020
The French Revolution saw a lot of societal change, including an attempted change of the calendar. Everything was decimalized from the number of days of the week to hours in a day etc. but there were still twelve months. These months fell out on different days but roughly followed the seasons. The names are:
In Autumn: Vendémiaire, Brumaire, and Frimaire
In Winter: Nivôse, Pluviôse, and Ventôse
In Spring: Germinal, Floréal, and Prairial
In Summer: Messidor, Thermidor (or Fervidor*), Fructidor
These were all invented words meant to convey a meaning about the time. In order it would be:
vintage, mist, and frost; snow, rain, and wind; germination flowers and meadow; and harvest, summer-heat, and fruit, which would for the most part be recognizable for French speakers. This system had with it associated with produce, animals, minerals (for the winter) in order to counter the Catholic Church who had associated a saint with each day of the year. Likewise, the years and weeks ('décades') had similar systems of associated things meant to celebrate France and French culture.
2171: Albania and Shqipëri Nov 24, 2020
The country of Albania is known by that name or a similar cognate in most other languages, but in the Albanian language it is called 'Shqipëri'. While the name 'Albania' comes from Latin in the 2nd century, Shqipëri is only attested from the 14th and was not popular until the 17th or 18th centuries, before which they called it 'Arbëri'. The newer has a somewhat contended origin. It is commonly thought to come from 'shqipe' (eagle), especially considering the national symbolism, as seen on the flag. That said, other explanations also place the meaning as coming from 'shqipoj' (to speak clearly), which is historically a pretty common way to name a people, as with 'Slovenia' meaning the same thing, but from a Slavic root. Another idea connects this name to the city of Skopje, the capital of Northern Macedonia, originally from Greek meaning 'observe', denoting the mountains of the area. Considering the various ethnic groups of the Balkans and the way territory and demographics have shifted around throughout history, any of these explanations could be said to have a solid basis.
2166: Green Line, Purple Line, Blue Line Nov 19, 2020
The borders of Israel have been established with the so called Green Line (1948) and Purple Line (1967). Many people believe that the Green Line was named because of natural barriers from trees and other plants that separated Israel and Jordan and Lebanon etc. but actually it was just because it was made with a pen with green ink drawn onto the map. Likewise, the Purple Line defining the Syrian-Israeli armistice border and Blue Line defining Lebanese-Israeli border, all officially named as such, were done so in reference to the UN maps and UN itself respectively.
2157: America's Geographic Easter-Egg—Point Udall Nov 10, 2020
The easternmost and the westernmost in the US are named Point Udall; this is a surname, but it isn't named after the same person. By travel distance in the territorial US, the westernmost part of Guam was named after Arizona congressman, Morris Udall, who was on the House Subcommittee on Insular and International Affairs. Meanwhile in 1968, the easternmost part of the Virgin Island meanwhile is named for his brother Stewart Udall, also a congressman from Arizona. It was explained that the "America's day would begin and end at a Point Udall".
2155: Rhode Island Just Changed its Name Nov 8, 2020
This week has seen much political change in the USA, but what is getting less publicity perhaps is that Rhode Island just changed its official name. Up until now, it was known as "Rhode Island and Providence Plantations". During the British colonial period, Rhode Island only referred to one island, now called Aquidneck Island and the Providence Plantation was the remaining land, not ulike how Maine is named for the mainland, since most people lived on the coastal islands there. Back in those times, plantations related to farms, certainly, but was another word for colony and in this case had nothing to do with slavery. The fact is, however, that enough people felt uncomfortable with the word through unfortunate historical connotations that it was changed in the election.
1793: 4th Estate vs. 4th Power Nov 11, 2019
People often use the term '4th estate' to refer to the press, but none of the other 3 estates exist really. It comes from the pre-republican European estates of realm, which is another way of saying the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners together, with those making up the 3 estates. Later, '4th estate' merged conceptually with '4th power'—also denoting the press—but with the other 3 powers this time referring to the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, which may be why people still use '4th estate'.
For more bonus content on the latest video, click here.
1462: Islamic State vs Islamic Republic Dec 12, 2018
Even though the two may be used somewhat interchangeably in lay conversations, there is an understood difference between an 'Islamic state' and an 'Islamic republic'. The former refers to a country that has Sharia as its constitution in some respect, and includes country like Saudi Arabia. In this way, on a state-level the country is Islamic, and usually this will exclude democratic elections. Meanwhile, an Islamic republic may also involve Islam on a legislative level, but it will also include more elections. Ultimately however, there is a great deal of overlaps, and these are just norms for usage.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzKhTxYYlal1d1-XhqPh122t6bgaNpI7A
1429: Jewry vs. Israel Nov 9, 2018
Over the last century, the term 'Israel' has gained a new meaning, as it refers to the modern nationstate. Before this, it usually denoted 'the Jewish people' or would refer to the ancient kingdom. However, to clear up this newfound confusion, the term 'Jewry', which has existed for hundreds of years, can be and often is used. Indeed, after the land was set aside in the 1920's, the usage of the term 'Jewry' soared, and it clears up the confusion that the term 'Israel' can cause. This can be seen in the graph below.
Check out the newest Word Theory, only through
