Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
Anthony Poulton-Smith
- Region:
- West Midlands
- Notice Period:
- Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
- Type:
- Professional
- Fee:
- Paid: Negotiable
- Category:
- Science
- Updated:
- 9th April 2021
Biology's Etymology - Whether it is when watching, listening or reading that medical drama or a visit to the doctor or hospital, the terminology used can be baffling in the extreme. That they know what they are talking about is all we need to know, for that is not what this talk is about. Here we are looking at the terms used by the majority, those without a medical grounding. This talk examines the parts of the body through the names with which we are so familiar. Who first thought of the term 'head', 'foot', 'finger', 'muscle', 'bone'? Did the heart become known as such because it was seen as central to life, or did this develop the other way around? And what about ailments and diseases? Were chickens really the inspiration of 'chickenpox'? And who thought 'chillblanes' an apt description of the ailment? An explanation of where these terms originated, how they developed and why they remain commonplace today. Many of the answers are surprising and more than a few amusing. There is also the opportunity to ask specific examples, especially for those who need to know the origins of those parts not included in the talk.
Views: 1844 | Enquiries: 3About Anthony Poulton-Smith
A freelance journalist and author, with 94 books, many articles, is a ghostwriter, innumerable crosswords and puzzles published, whilst also compiling and marketing quizzes. These books have mostly been on the subject of the origins of place-names and as part of the publicity Anthony has been interviewed several times on the radio and privileged to be the guest speaker at more than seven hundred events. Fascinated by the development of language and etymology, based in Tamworth Staffordshire and trustee of Tamworth Literary Festival, Tamworth History Group, Friends of Tamworth Castle and Museum, League of Friends of Tamworth Hospitals.
Happy to travel and available at short notice.
Other Talks on SpeakerNet by Anthony Poulton-Smith
- Origins of Place Names
- Not the Normal Paranormal
- When Nature Called
- Origins of Pub Names
- Animal Myths
- Humorous Etymologies
- The Saxon Era
- Talking Butts
- Salt Routes
- Watling Street
- The Fastener Industry
- Ancient Ley Lines
- Our Lost Lines
- Know What You're Eating
- An Odd Shopping Basket
- Crime on Canals
- The Daft of Fire
- The Daft of Time
- Gunpowder Plot
- Classic Toys
- Measurements
- Pots and Pans
- Laboratory Literature
- Street Names
- Forgotten Holidays
- Stupid Moments in History
- Wonderful Words
- Tales of Ales
- A Tale of Attire
- Old Wives Tales
- An Author's Errors
- Old English to Modern English
- Colloquialisms
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