Words From Life

Denis Diderot writing at his deskWhat is the Diderot Effect? The Diderot Effect is a psychological and socio-cultural phenomenon where acquiring a new possession sets off a spiral of consumption, leading you to purchase more and more items that match the upgraded status or aesthetic of the initial acquisition. King Solomon considering a difficult judgmentSolomon’s Paradox Find out why we can give wiser advice to others than we follow when facing our own problems. Archimedes and the famous Eureka momentArchimedes and the “Eureka!” Moment Discover the story of King Hiero’s crown, Archimedes’ bath, and the scientific idea behind the famous exclamation. Achilles seated among his armor and weaponsWhat Does “Achilles’ Heel” Mean? Discover how a later version of the Greek myth gave us an enduring expression for a critical weakness. People queue outside a free soup kitchen during the Great DepressionThe Great Depression Explore the causes, global impact, and recovery from one of the twentieth century’s most severe economic crises.

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How Did the Months Get Their Names? Explore the Roman gods, Latin numbers, festivals, and history behind the names of all twelve months. Interesting Brand Names and Their Stories Discover the surprising origins, linguistic twists, and histories behind memorable names like Nike, Google, Starbucks, and Bluetooth.