No Such Thing As A Fish 493: No Such Thing As An X
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Aug 24, 2023 Lexicographer Susie Dent joins the hosts for a fascinating discussion on the origins of words. They explore the letter 'X' in the English language, the phrase 'blue joke', protests against calculators in schools, cameramen and fish populations, fish-related phrases, monogamy, celebrities, mathematician David Cox's contributions, and the origin of Chippendales.
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Samuel Johnson's X Exclusion
- Samuel Johnson excluded all words beginning with X in his 1755 dictionary, claiming no English words start with X. - This was inaccurate, partly due to his biases, and many X words emerged later.
Johnson's Tea-Driven Focus
- Samuel Johnson reportedly drank 25 cups of tea in one sitting, fueling intense focus while eating or reading. - His eating was so concentrated that he had no conversation and veins pulsated on his head.
The Meaning Behind X-ray's X
- X in X-ray stands for 'unknown,' reflecting initial uncertainty about the phenomenon. - The term stuck even after understanding, making 'X' a symbol for mystery or extra power.