Videos tagged with Etymology

Firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson debunks the popular myth that the idiom 'the whole nine yards' originates from the length of machine gun belts, particularly those used in aircraft. He presents evidence suggesting the phrase predates aviation machine guns and likely stems from a humorous anecdote in an 1855 Indiana newspaper about a shirt made with 'the whole nine yards' of material. While acknowledging the intuitive appeal of the firearms connection, Ferguson's research indicates no historical basis for it.

This video from the Shawn Ryan Show, featuring Jeffery Williams, explores the historical and etymological origins of the abbreviation 'Xmas.' It clarifies that 'Xmas' is not disrespectful but stems from early Christian practices using the Greek letter 'Chi' (X) as a symbol for Christ, evolving through historical abbreviations to save space and avoid persecution.

This entry delves into the origin and definition of the term 'bullpup' as explained by firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson. It clarifies that while the design concept is old, the term itself is a 20th-century American invention, likely stemming from the bulldog puppy analogy for squat, powerful firearms. The discussion highlights the challenges in applying a strict definition and its common use as a marketing term.

This video from Forgotten Weapons, featuring Ian McCollum, delves into the etymological origins and regional pronunciation differences of the term 'carbine'. McCollum, demonstrating high authority and expertise, explains that while 'carbyne' is common in the UK, both 'carbine' and 'carbyne' are accepted in the US, with the French origin of the word supporting the 'carbine' pronunciation.