Stories that inspired words and phrases

Ever wondered how Mt Everest, America, Neanderthal , bikini, hooker or bluetooth got their names? Well, a new book has now revealed the people and the stories that inspired these everyday words and phrases.




According to the book, 'From Harvey Wallbangers And Tam O'Shanters' , Mount Everest was named in honour of Sir George Everest following a proposal by his successor Andrew Waugh, surveyor general of India, who fixed the height of what was earlier known as Peak XV at 29,002 feet in 1856.

The book says that America is actually named after Amerigo Vespucci, a 15th Century Italian merchant, who proved the continent was much larger than originally thought and was not, as Columbus believed, Asia.

Neanderthal, the cavedwelling early man, is named after the Neander valley in German, where remains of the species were found in 1856, 'The Sun' reported.


According to author Martin Hannan, bikini takes its name from the Pacific atoll in the Marshall Islands which was the site of 23 nuclear weapons tests between 1946 and 1958. The two-piece swimsuit came out a few days after the first test - and was said to be "split like the atom" . And, the word hooker derives from Corlears Hook area of Manhattan island, US, where prostitutes worked, the book says.


Bluetooth got its name from 10th Century King of Denmark, Harald Bluetooth, who was responsible for spreading Christianity across Scandinavia. And, when Swedish cell phone firm Ericsson wanted a name signifying good communications , they dug into history to choose his, the book adds.

Chauvinist, used to describe a sexist, meant a person who was excessively patriotic , after Nicolas Chauvin - a soldier in Napoleon Bonaparte's army - who was famous for his loyalty.