Every word conceals a story, a secret history. Behind the syllables we use every day lurk countless forgotten tales. While most words slip into currency inconspicuously and without leaving traceable trails of their journeys, there is an elite class of verbal inventions whose exact dates of initial utterance have indeed been carefully recorded.
What follows are eight intriguing coinages that have altered the way we think about, see, hear, discover, and exist in the world around us.
Take a look at this video to learn more, and read this story if you are interested in more details.
If you would like to comment on this story or anything else you have seen on BBC Culture, head over to our Facebook page or message us on Twitter.
And if you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter, called “If You Only Read 6 Things This Week”. A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Culture, Capital and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday.
Be the first to comment