Grammar Girl: For Writers and Language Lovers.
Grammar Girl: For Writers and Language Lovers.

'Mini' and 'factoid' don't mean what you think, with Jess Zafarris

Mar 12, 2026 · 13m

<p>1167. In this bonus segment that originally ran for Grammarpaloozians last October, we look at the surprising true origins of words that often fool people. We explore why "miniature" originally referred to a red color and not a size; the true, non-factual meaning of "factoid"; and how "hello" only became a common greeting because of the telephone. We also examine the indirect eponym behind the word "gasoline."</p><p>Find Jess Zafarris online: <a href="https://uselessetymology.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Useless Etymology</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jesszafarris?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener …

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