Discover the history of the season’s names — from Old English ‘hærfest’ and ‘hærfestmonað’ through Latin ‘autumnus’ to the English ‘fall of the leaf’. Learn how harvest, autumn, and fall each reflect different traditions.

Where does the word ‘September’ come from? From Latin ‘septem’ meaning ‘seven’, the name once marked the seventh month of Rome’s calendar. In Old English it was the holy month or harvest month, and in Norse tradition the autumn month — each pointing to September as a time of reaping, rites and new beginnings.

Where does the word ‘sage’ come from? From Latin ‘salvia’ meaning ‘healing plant’, the name travelled through French into English, and has since appeared across dozens of languages — each with its own take on this resilient herb.

The word ‘soup’ traces its roots to Late Latin ‘suppa’ meaning ‘bread soaked in broth’, passing through Old French before entering English.

Explore the etymology of ‘tent’—a word shaped by Latin and Germanic roots, with links to medieval shelters and silk tents spun by caterpillars.

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 …

I’ve been looking into the roots of the French word épicerie, the name of many shops in French villages — and it turns out it started with spices.

When I checked the etymology of a little French bakery (tastes a bit like a profiterole without the chocolate or cream) item, I didn’t expect to find a link to cabbages!

These flowers smelled amazing - apparently it’s ‘Trachelospermum jasminoides’ (also known as ‘star jasmine’ or ‘false jasmine’)

I think I’m a bit late with this one. I did start it whilst the buttercups were blooming, but I think they’ve now all been frazzled by the sun!

I attended a fairly old fashioned primary school, so the May half-term break was known as the ‘Whit’ holidays …

The lane near our house is covered in primroses - such a delicate yellow.