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12 Inaccurately Named Everyday Things

What's in a name? A lot of confusion, actually.

12 Inaccurately Named Everyday Things

December 16, 2021

What's in a name? A lot of confusion, actually. For instance, gypsum doesn't get its due for its iconic place in the classroom. Learn more about that and 11 other confusing names within the English language.

12

Russian Dressing

Russian Dressing The dressing was invented in New Hampshire by James Е. Colburn. One theory is that he called it Russian because the original recipe included caviar. CRACKED.COM — Source: Washington Post

11

Starfish

Starfish Although star definitely makes sense, these marine invertebrates are not fish. CRACKED.COM — Source: National Ocean Service

10

French Fries

French Fries The most common theory is that the perfect form of potato was actually created in Belgium. CRACKED.COM — Source: BBC

9

Fireflies

Fireflies Fireflies are actually beetles, not flies. And surprise, surprise, it's not fire but bioluminescence. CRACKED.COM — Source: Scientific American

8

Clothes Iron

Clothes Iron ste Contemporary irons can be made of many materials, but most commonly they are made from plastic, aluminum, and steel. CRACKED.COM — Source: MadeHow

7

Chalk

Chalk What we normally refer to as chalk nowadays is actually gypsum because it's more common and easier to work with than actual chalk. CRACKED.COM — Source: USRA

6

Jellyfish

Jellyfish Strangely enough, the jelly part of the name is more accurate since they are gelatinous. Jellyfish aren't fish, since fish are vertebrates. These invertebrates belong to the group cnidarians. CRACKED.COM — Source: Smithsonian

5

Funny Bone

Funny Bone Ulnar Med, antibrach, culaneous Radial .. SHIS- Deep br. of radial Superfic. br. of radial Volar interosseous Ulnar When you hit your funny bone, you're actually hitting the spot where your ulnar nerve is the most exposed. It's against the humerus (upper arm bone) which we guess is pretty humorous. CRACKED.COM — Source: New England Baptist Hospital

4

Tin Foil

Tin foil In the early 20th century, most foil that was produced was made from tin. When aluminum foil was introduced, it was an instant hit as it was cheaper to produce and didn't make things taste like tin. The name has stuck in certain areas, even if the metal hasn't. CRACKED.COM — Source: Mental Floss

3

Chinese Checkers

Chinese Checkers The game was brought to the United States under the name Halma but was marketed as an even more racist version of the name by a company trying to cash in on the growing worldwide interest in the Far East during the 1920s. CRACKED.COM — More: 5 Everyday Things (That Have Secret Racist Origin Stories)

2

Guinea Pigs

Guinea Pig They are native to South America, not to Guinea, and they aren't a type of pig. We're not sure where the name comes from. CRACKED.COM — Source: San Diego Zoo

1

Hawaiian Pizza

Hawaiian Pizza Hawaiian pizza was created by a Greek immigrant in Ontario, Canada. CRACKED.COM — Source: BBC

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