Tag Archives: Thoughts

Why is it called a TV “set” when you only get one? The term “TV set” has historical roots that date back to the early days of television technology. In the early to mid-20th century, television sets were complex devices consisting of multiple components housed in a single unit. The term “set” was used toContinue reading “Thought of the Day: Television”

Why aren’t there ever any guilty bystanders? The phrase “innocent bystander” is a common expression used to describe someone who is present at an event or incident without any connection to it or responsibility for it. On the other hand, the term “guilty bystander” is not commonly used because the word “guilty” implies some levelContinue reading “Thought of the Day: Guilty Bystanders”

Why do overlook and oversee mean opposite things? The apparent contradiction between “overlook” and “oversee” is due to the evolution of language and the nuances of their historical usage. While the terms “overlook” and “oversee” both involve a spatial element with “over,” their meanings diverged over time due to the evolution of language. “Overlook” hasContinue reading “Thought of the Day: Overlooking the overseers”

Why is it that people duck in the rain, do they really think the rain won’t hit them? When people continue walking in the rain while ducking or adopting a stooped position, it’s often a natural and practical response to minimize exposure to the rain. While they may not be completely avoiding getting wet, thisContinue reading “Thought of the Day: Ducking in the rain”

Whenever an adult is kidnapped, why isn’t it called adultnapped? The term “kidnapped” is derived from the word “kid,” which historically referred to a child or young person. The use of “kid” in this context can be traced back to the 17th century. Over time, the term “kidnap” evolved to describe the act of takingContinue reading “Thought of the Day: Kidnapping”

What shape is the sky? The sky does not have a specific shape. It is the expanse of space that appears above the Earth’s surface. The appearance of the sky can change depending on various factors, including the time of day, weather conditions, and geographic location. During the day, the sky often appears to beContinue reading “Thought of the Day: Sky shape”

Why do you get on a bus and a train but get into a car? The use of “get on” or “get into” when referring to different modes of transportation is primarily a matter of convention, and it is influenced by the nature of the transportation and how people typically interact with it. Here’s whyContinue reading “Thought of the Day: Travel and Transport”

Why are elderly people often called “old people” but children are never called “new people”? The terminology used for different age groups can be influenced by historical and cultural factors, as well as societal perceptions and norms. There are a few reasons why elderly people are often referred to as “old people,” while children areContinue reading “Thought of the Day: New People”

What happened to old Zealand? Old Zealand, also spelled as “Zealand” or “Sealand,” was a historic region in the Netherlands. It is not commonly referred to today because it was largely submerged due to a series of floods and land reclamation projects over the centuries. The region of Zealand, or Zeeland in Dutch, was originallyContinue reading “Thought of the Day: Old Zealand”