Retired Words: English words that have outlived their purpose. Ancient month names, Norse gods, silent letters — retired and replaced with simpler alternatives.
Canton was the gateway to China for centuries. Its real name is Guangzhou, and English has been slow to notice.
Canton — The Province That Changed Its Name Without Telling English Read More »
Soochow is one of the most beautiful cities in China. English has been spelling its name wrong for over a century.
Soochow — The Venice of the East, Named by Outsiders Read More »
Amoy was a major Chinese port city. It still is—but English calls it by a name that no longer exists.
Amoy — The City That Disappeared from the Map Read More »
Gung ho entered English during World War II. It was a Chinese phrase meaning work together. English changed everything about it.
Gung Ho — The War Slogan That Forgot Its Meaning Read More »
Taoism is one of the great world religions. Its English name begins with the wrong letter.
Taoism — The Philosophy Whose Name Rhymes with Cow Read More »
The I Ching is one of the oldest books in the world. Its English name is barely recognizable in Chinese.
I Ching — The Book of Changes That Changed Its Own Spelling Read More »
Szechuan cuisine is famous for its heat. The spelling is a cold relic of a century-old romanization error.
Szechuan — The Cuisine That Changed Its Name Everywhere Except in English Read More »
Chow mein is a staple of Chinese takeout menus worldwide. In China, the dish is called chaomian. No one says chow mein.
Chow Mein — The Fried Noodles That No Chinese Person Orders Read More »
Kung pao chicken is on every Chinese takeout menu in the English-speaking world. The name honors a person whose title is misspelled.
Kung Pao — The Chicken That Lost Its Guardian Read More »
Confucius is the Latin name of a Chinese philosopher who lived two thousand years before any European heard of him.
Confucius — The Philosopher Who Never Heard His Own English Name Read More »