Word-Origin Wednesday

"Escalate" is fairly new word, and the current definition has been around since just the 1950s.

"Put up your dukes," which has been around since at least the 1800s, is one example of Cockney rhyming slang.

The transition from "ekename" to "nickname" is a fine demonstration of the transition from Middle English to Modern English.

"Posh," as it is used today, first appeared in print a little more than a century ago. But where did it come from?

It took several languages to bring "karaoke" to English in the 1970s.

"Honey" and "moon" are very old. "Honeymoon" is relatively new, meaning it's a mere 500 years old.

"Aioli" comes from French, as do the words for many prepared foods.

"Mascara" is linked to many words from many languages, many of which go back centuries before commercially available mascara hit store shelves.

The word "liar" goes way back. As it turns out, people have been lying for a long time.

"Salary" is related to something in your kitchen, and it's not celery.