Arm Idioms

Several words have found themselves used in a number of phrases. We looked at 'mouth' last time and this time it's 'arm'.

Arm wrestling is first described in writing in 1899.

Coat of arms is a phrase first seen in the early 14th century.

To bear arms, in the sense of military service’ first appears in the 1640s.

Armband today conjures up the inflatable swimming aid, but when it first appeared in 1782 it more often referred to a bracelet, one worn on the upper arm.

Armchair is first recorded around 1630, this shortly before the alternative name of elbowchair is seen.

Armpit is first recorded in the middle of the 14th century, when armhole was equally popular, although the latter died out by the 18th century (at least in the armpit sense).

Arms race is not seen until the 1930s, first used in British English and referring specifically to naval build-ups.

Arms length is first seen in documents dated around the 1650s, although there are records of arms end from about 1570.

Armful is first seen in the 1570s.

Uganda Place Names Explained

Having blogged samples of my books on English place names and also examined the etymologies of the nations of the world and their respective capitals I thought it time I cast my net a little wider. As English place names share some links to other tongues it would be interesting to see if any of the elements contributing to our place names could be found elsewhere. Continuing an alphabetical tour of the world and a look at the largest Ugandan cities.

Kampala began as the name of a nearby hill. Originally it was known as kasozi impala or 'hill of the impala' but that description became shortened.

Entebbe comes from the Lugunda langaugae and means 'seat, chair'.

Kabale comes from the local Rujiga language and means 'small stone'.

Note the spellings of the places are English as the piece is written in English.