Word of the week archive: U – Z
Tim Bowen entertains us with these lively discussions on origins of words. In this section you'll find articles on anything from 'wicked' and 'wimp' to 'wag' and 'vandal'.
Word of the week articles
Word of the week: Vandal
Ever encountered an act of vandalism by a bearded barbarian? Unlikely perhaps, but you may have come across some modern instances of anti-social behaviour. Tim Bowen explains how this word of the week has absolutely nothing to do with the Latin expression for facial hair.
Word of the week: Wag
Do you often find yourself wagging a finger at students whilst daydreaming about living the life of a WAG? Tim Bowen explains the multiple meanings and origins of this word of the week.
Word of the week: Weird
Ever wondered about weird noises in the middle of the night or encountered a bit of a weirdo on the bus? Tim Bowen explains the history of this wonderfully weird word of the week.
Word of the week: Wicked
Ever wondered why witches are always wicked or why teenagers use the expression 'wicked cool'? Tim Bowen looks at the origin of this wicked word of the week!
Word of the week: Wimp
Know any wimps? Ever let out a little whimper before an unplanned lesson? Tim Bowen takes a look at this flexible word which even has an application in astrophysics!
