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Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2007 September 22

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September 22

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Johnny condom

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Where does the slang term 'Johnny' (or 'Rubber Johnny') originate from, when referring to condoms? --Kurt Shaped Box 02:36, 22 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

And while we are on the subject, how about 'Jimmy Hat' 161.222.160.8 03:13, 22 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I can't help with Johnny, but "jimmy" is a slang word for "penis," hence "jimmy hat" = a hat for a penis. - Eron Talk 04:12, 22 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Cottage cheese

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How did cottage cheese get its name? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.117.125.195 (talk) 17:04, 22 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

According to here, the name "cottage cheese" was made in cottages from milk leftover after making some butter.–Sidious1701(talkemailtodo) 17:34, 22 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The origin of the word embryo

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I would like to know what year the word "embryo" came about. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.249.174.18 (talk) 18:40, 22 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The OED records its first use in an English language text in 1590, but it was used in Latin and Greek texts (as embryon) for a long time before that.--Shantavira|feed me 20:12, 22 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]
(after edit conflict) :according to the online etymology dictionary, "c.1350, from M.L. embryo, from Gk. embryon, in Homer, "young animal," later, "fruit of the womb," lit. "that which grows," from en- "in" + bryein "to swell, be full."" —Preceding unsigned comment added by SaundersW (talkcontribs) 20:14, 22 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]