this post was submitted on 28 May 2024
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Showerthoughts

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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

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I'm a fool if it actually means that.

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[–] [email protected] 21 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (2 children)

The "Con" in both is from a Latin root meaning together.

The "test" in contest is from Latin testis, meaning "witness", from a root meaning "three" (as in, a third party).

The word test is from Latin testum meaning earthen pot, because metals could be tested for quality by melting them in such a pot.

Etymology is super interesting to me.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

Ok, let me go get my earthen pot.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

Speaking of testis… should I worry I only have two?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I always thought that the word "island" was just short for "isolated land" -- There has to be some reason there's an 's' in there right?. But some etymologist told me it didn't come to be in that manner.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

In ancient english we didn’t have pronouns. So when cavemen looked at far away land all they had was “is land?” and when they finally got there on the backs of dinosaurs, they said “yes is land”.

Eventually the space was lost to time. Etymology.