Unveiling the Intriguing World of Naming Misconceptions

Today, we're diving into the fascinating world of misnomers. Names can be more than just labels—they can be misleading, plain wrong, or even controversial. Join me as we uncover some intriguing examples and unravel the mysteries behind them.

Let's start with an interesting fact: did you know that Michael is the ninth most disliked baby name for a boy? It's true, according to a survey by BabyNameWizard.com. But don't worry, I didn't choose my own name! Now, let's move on to the captivating realm of misnomers.

During my summer trip to Singapore, I encountered numerous fascinating sights, from an infinity pool to a column-less glass house. However, despite the country's name, I didn't spot any lions roaming around. It turns out that lions have never naturally inhabited Singapore. The name "Singapore" actually comes from a Malay word meaning "Lion City." The founder, Sang Nila Utama, mistook a tiger for a lion in 1299, giving rise to the misnomer. But here's a mind-boggling question: did I really go to Singapore?

Looking at the photos, that person certainly looks like me, but something doesn't quite add up. The key is to realize that oranges are apples—or at least they were in Old English. Back then, the term "apple" encompassed any fruit, including dates, bananas, and even cucumbers. The French language also followed a similar pattern, giving us the term "Earth apple" for the potato. And did you know that the word "orange" originally referred to the tree and not the fruit itself? It derives from the Sanskrit word for the tree that bears these citrus delights.

Speaking of fruits, did you know that in the culinary world, some items we consider vegetables are actually fruits? Wheat grains and bean pods are scientifically classified as fruits, but we tend to refer to them as vegetables in cooking. Take corn, for example—it tastes like a vegetable, but it's technically a collection of fruits tightly packed together. And mushrooms, often mistaken for vegetables, are actually fungi.

Names can also be confusing due to Stigler's Law, which dictates that things are often named in honor of someone unrelated to their discovery or origin. Take Venn diagrams, for instance—they were named after John Venn, although Leonhard Euler introduced them earlier. Avogadro's Constant is another example—it wasn't discovered by Avogadro himself, but rather by a different scientist who determined its precise value.

Straight-up misnomers can be quite amusing. French horns aren't actually French, and your funny bone is neither funny nor a bone—it's a nerve called the Ulnar nerve. And that iconic clock tower in London commonly known as Big Ben? Well, it's officially called The Elizabeth Tower. Even the nickname "Big Ben" doesn't refer to the bell inside—it's the name given to The Great Bell housed within the tower.

Let's not forget the quirky world of food-related misnomers. Kosher salt isn't inherently kosher—it's used for the koshering process of drawing blood out of meat. Rocky Mountain Oysters? Nope, they're not seafood—they're actually fried bull testicles. And Arabic Numerals? They were invented in India and introduced to Europe by Arab mathematicians.

It's time to address a few more surprises. Koala Bears aren't bears at all, just look-alikes, and eggplants don't grow eggs—those cultivators from the eighteenth century thought they resembled eggs. Dry cleaning, despite its name, involves wet liquids instead of water. And hamburgers aren't named after ham but rather after the city of Hamburg in Germany, where the Hamburg steak originated.

As we explore the realm of misnomers, it becomes evident that names can be puzzling and misleading. We drive on parkways and park on driveways because the term "park" in parkways refers to nature parks often found alongside these roads. Skeuomorphs, design elements that no longer serve their original purpose, but are still present for ornamental reasons, are everywhere—from mobile phone icons to the sound of a shutter on a digital camera.

Finally, let's reflect on the concept of your own name—a kind of skeuomorph that stays with you throughout your life, even as you change and grow. It's interesting to ponder how the future you, who may bear the same name, will be only loosely connected to the present you. With every passing moment, you evolve, learn, forget, and experience new things. At a cellular level, your body undergoes constant change, with atoms being replaced every few years. In a sense, you have more in common with a stranger today than with your past self.

So, don't fear the future or dwell on the past. Embrace the ever-evolving nature of life and take joy in the journey of self-discovery. Remember, you only live once, but that single life encompasses countless iterations of yourself, each one unique and interconnected.