Where does the word pebble come from? This post digs into its uncertain origins and links it with galet, the French word for smooth stone — and a sweet treat in Brittany.

Where do ‘rock’ and ‘rocher’ come from? This post unpacks the etymology of a word we treat as solid — but whose linguistic trail is full of twists. With images, word cards and modern links to French patisserie.

Discover the history of the word ‘gâteau’, from medieval French ‘gastel’ — a high-quality bread — to the elaborate layered cake we know today. Explore its roots in Frankish and Latin, its links to Anglo-Norman ‘wastel’, and the shift from bread to dessert through changes in baking traditions and ingredients.

Discover the history of the word ‘gâteau’, from medieval French ‘gastel’ — a high-quality bread — to the elaborate layered cake we know today. Explore its roots in Frankish and Latin, its links to Anglo-Norman ‘wastel’, and the shift from bread to dessert through changes in baking traditions and ingredients.

Explore the word ‘biscuit’: from Latin ‘bis’ (twice) and ‘coquere’ (to cook), through Old French and into modern English. A word that’s travelled through languages, continents and baking traditions — now unpacked in our latest word card set, including spelling tips, morphology, and European translations.

A language dive into the roots of ‘boulangerie’ — with links to bread, bubbles, and French word endings.

I’ve always loved the smell of honeysuckle. The word goes back to Old English hunigsuge …

‘Épicerie’ is a word I’ve often seen in French towns. I’d always assumed it had something do with spices, but couldn’t quite figure out the link to ‘grocery’. Here’s the etymology …

My garden is full of elderflowers at the moment …