Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Why do we call them ‘wisdom teeth’?

Some fanciful terms for the human body have existed for centuries, and are now more commonly used than their scientific alternatives.
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Why Do We Call Them 'Wisdom Teeth'?

Some fanciful terms for the human body have existed for centuries, and are now more commonly used than their scientific alternatives. Let's look at the origins behind wisdom teeth.

Impacted wisdom teeth cartoon on paper

I magine telling a non-native English speaker that after having your wisdom teeth removed, you slipped and hit your noodle on the door and then banged your funny bone on the way down. It sounds more like a children's rhyme than a real-life accident, doesn't it? But many of these fanciful terms for the human body have existed for centuries, and are now more commonly used than their scientific alternatives. Let's look at the origins behind one of the most popular quirky anatomical nicknames: wisdom teeth.

Wisdom teeth are our third and final set of molars that generally appear between the ages of 17 and 25. They look just like the other molars, but they got a special nickname because of their timing. They usually break through the gums around the time that adolescents transition into adulthood. During these formative years, we grow more intelligent and we grow one more set of teeth, hence the nickname.

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Wing emoji

Wing

Meaning: Depicts a single white feathered wing, possibly referring to a bird or an angel.


Evolution: The Wing emoji 🪽can be motivational or adventurous, or it might refer to angels and remembrance. It can be paired with other emojis to create a new meaning, such as "time flies 🕰️🪽," or "when pigs fly 🐖🪽."


Usage: [Text from a friend:] You've got this! Fly high, my friend! 🪽

Jane Austen: The Original Romance Novelist by Janet Lewis Saidi

Jane Austen: The Original Romance Novelist

This mini-biography highlights Jane Austen's role in shaping modern romance fiction. Using swoonworthy excerpts from her works, Saidi demonstrates how Austen's wit and themes of love created the blueprint for romance novels. This is a great read if you're curious how the author's work remains so relevant 250 years later.

Samantha Abernethy, Word Smarts Writer

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Why Do We Say 'Chew the Fat'?

While "chewing the fat" doesn't sound like the most appealing of meals, it can be a pleasant way to spend your time. Where did this idiom for a casual chat or friendly small talk come from?

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