On Twitter, Merriam-Webster lexicographer Peter Sokolowski reminded us:
The most remarkable etymologies are the ones that have been staring you right in the face your whole life.
— Peter Sokolowski (@PeterSokolowski) May 14, 2015
As he explained in subsequent tweets, Peter was wide-eyed over the origin and evolution of secular, including its French cognate, siècle. His remark was a resonant one, prompting many of us word lovers to offer our own instances. For me, his remark was right on the nose, shall we say, especially concerning some stronger language.
