Following on from the original list of 25 things that are not what they seem, we are presenting another 20 items whose names are not entirely suitable or are just outright wrong. Feel free to name any others you can think of in the comments.
1. The Hundred Years’ War did not last for 100 years but 116. It was actually a series of separate campaigns and battles which continued for 116 years (from 1337 to 1453).
2. The Blitz was not a blitzkrieg, it was an example of strategic bombing. A blitzkrieg is “a headline word applied retrospectively to describe a military doctrine of an all-mechanized force concentrating its attack on a small section of the enemy front then, once the latter is broken, proceeding without regard to its flank.”
3. In golf, the clubs commonly referred to as “woods” are usually made of metal. The club heads for “woods” were formerly made predominantly of wood.
4. An egg cream is really chocolate flavored syrup with seltzer and milk. It typically contains neither eggs nor cream. [Pictured above]
5. Head cheese is actually a meat product.
6. Anti-semitism usually refers to hatred of jews. But the fact is, semites refers not just to jews, but to all semitic peoples which includes Arabs. The proper term for what is normally regarded as anti-semitism would be anti-jewish.
7. An inchworm is neither an inch long, nor a worm.
8. Tear gas is not a gas, but a (solid) crystalline substance.
9. The East River is not a river, but a tidal strait.
10. The titmouse is a bird, not a mouse. [Pictured above]
11. Despite its name, the Jerusalem artichoke has no relation to Jerusalem, and little to do with artichokes. Jerusalem derives from Girasole, the Italian word for sunflower, by folk etymology. The taste of the tuber of a Jerusalem artichoke merely resembles the taste of the leaves of the Globe Artichoke.
12. Arabic numerals originated in India, though they came to be associated with the Arab world.
13. Panama hats are made in Ecuador, but are associated with Panama as they were widely worn during construction of the Panama Canal.
14. French fries did not originate in France. There are some doubts about their origin, but they most likely were invented in Belgium. They’re called “French” because vegetables sliced in that manner are called “julienned”, which sounds French. [Pictured above]
15. Mongolian barbecue is neither Mongolian in origin nor barbecue. It has its origins in Taiwan and actually derives from Japanese-style teppanyaki which was popular there at the time.
16. White chocolate is not actually considered chocolate by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States and other bodies, even though it contains cocoa butter.
17. The term “tidal wave” is often applied to tsunamis, even though they are not caused by tides.
18. Sugar soap contains neither sugar nor soap.
19. An egg roll is an appetizer usually made by wrapping a combination of chopped vegetables, not eggs.
20. Chinese checkers did not originate in China (or even Asia). It was invented in Germany in 1893 under the name “Stern-Halma”, as a variation on the older American game of Halma.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. Text is derived from Wikipedia.
“Self-help groups”
Good list, altho the info about jellyfish is repeated twice.
Another brilliant list
I’ve been fooled by the ‘egg roll’ one before….
Really shouldn’t comment when I’m not awake, scratch the previous comment, the mentioned things are jellyfish and starfish. Again, good list.
i do not even know what sugar soap is.
neat list
An egg plant is not a plant that produces eggs. Ta-da !
Is today your day off? Way to phone it in.
I knew 4, 5, 10, 19. I think most kids or ‘young adult’ books when I was growing up that were set in Brooklyn included the egg cream.
I hate to be a hater but this list is sub-par. Listverse letting the ball drop again. JFrater you’re lists are usually much more intelligent than this, so i was stoked when i saw that you were the author. You basically gave the same fact twice with the jelly/star fish. A few good points though; tear gas for instance. Still i shouldn’t complain; I’ve never submitted anything.
I do love the site though. Keep on spreading the knowledge.
Chur
Anyone notice 3/4 of the pictures shown are food/water..
We muslims are fasting rait now
ahmad- lol that means you have bad breath now…
i seen some people smoke..is that allowed durign a fast? or after seems very strange?
Surely tear gas is actually a gas? Chucking lumps of solid material around isn’t going to hurt anyone’s mucous membranes. Unless it gives off a vapour and then we are back to the active ingredient being a gas again.
It feels a bit like saying that water is in fact a solid not a liquid. It can be, but it has a different name (ice) and is really a different thing.
i think it would be fair to say that the titmouse…is neither tit nor mouse
………..yeah im not gonna lie, this list could have been called 20 ways of pointing out the obvious. Let me show you what i mean.
A PitBull is neither a Pit or a Bull :O
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A Zebra crossing (pictured above)is no actually a Zebra nor even an animal for that matter (Shock, Horror Scream)
grasshoppers are not made of grass
fairy bread is not made of fairies
Carrot top is not a carrot (nor is he funny)
and Crocs are not made from crocodile nore will they ever ever ever in a million years get you laid.
@Geng1s (14): and Crocs are not made from crocodile nore will they ever ever ever in a million years get you laid.
That crack me up! LoL.
This is the worst list ive ever read o this usually good site. i wouldn’t even archive it.
Wow – lots of hatred – surely the haters didn’t know EVERY item on this list before it was published!
for #19, eggroll – yummy! proud to be Asian here!
Word games, jfrater.
MYTH
“Arabs cannot possiblybe anti-Semitic as they are themselves Semites.”
FACT
The term “anti-Semite” was coined in Germany in 1879 by Wilhelm Marr to refer to the anti-Jewish manifestations of the period and to give Jew-hatred a more scientific sounding name. “Anti-Semitism” has been accepted and understood to mean hatred of the Jewish people. Dictionaries define the term as: “Theory, action, or practice directed against the Jews” and “Hostility towards Jews as a religious or racial minority group, often accompanied by social, economic and political discrimination.”
The claim that Arabs as “Semites” cannot possibly be anti-Semitic is a semantic distortion that ignores the reality of Arab discrimination and hostility toward Jews. Arabs, like any other people, can indeed be anti-Semitic.
Another lame one …
19. An egg roll is an appetizer usually made by wrapping a combination of chopped vegetables, not eggs.
Um … the “egg” refers to the wash that the dough is dipped in before frying. Who claimed that chopped eggs were an ingredient?
Late O’Day: I don’t agree. You are describing anti-jews or anti-judaism – not anti-semitism. That would be like saying that a Nigerian who hates Zimbabweans is anti-black. He isn’t – he is anti-zimbabwean.
Late O’Day: Again! When we describe something using a specific item, you expect it to be a main ingredient. A crab cake is mainly crab. A chocolate cake is mainly chocolate. What would you say if someone served you a hunk of salmon with a thin outer-layer of licorice and called it a “licorice slice”? You would wonder why it isn’t called a “salmon slice”.
Wiener Schnitzel is dipped in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. We don’t call it “fried flour”. We don’t call it an “egg cutlet”. But in the case of the egg roll we do. That is why it is on this list.
Besides the fact that something is a misnomer is the whole point of this list. Jeez JFrater, I know why you can't, but just once I'd like to see you reply to these bozos that if they don't like it, don't read it. Or ask them if they would prefer that you started charging for access to this site.
Puh-leeze …
Why not proclaim that “snap dragons” aren’t really dragons and “earthworms” aren’t actually made of dirt. You’re just playing with words.
i think they should put chopped eggs in egg roles that would be pretty tasty
anti-Semitism
Theory, action, or practice directed against the Jews. Hence anti-Semite, one who is hostile or opposed to the Jews; anti-Semmitic
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Who to believe? JFrater or the Oxford English Dictionary. Gee … that’s a toughie.
Jerusalem is derived from an Italian word…? I read up on it quick and figured out what you really mean; the plant was called the Girasole, then got corrupted into Jerusalem.
And I think (from what little I’ve read) that egg rolls are called egg rolls to differentiate between them and spring rolls, which aren’t dipped in egg. Really, what would you call them if you weren’t going to mention eggs because they’re not the main ingredient?
So according to you, Im not an anti semitist? wow..ok… thats new for me. I dont know how to start living being a brand new anti-jewish person… can you put up a list ” top ten things that anti-jewish people do”? that will certainly help.
Long time listener, first time caller
I’ve been tempted to comment so many times that I lose count, but here’s what really did it for me…..
What on earth is Head Cheese? I’m English – did something get lost in translation?!
Head cheese is a gelatin-like substance that comes from boiling the skull of an animal.
Wow…lots of haters who think too much of themselves because they knew the items on this list. If you don’t like a list…move on! I found this to be an interesting read. Some I knew and some I didn’t. I don’t consider this to be a play on words. More like oxymorons….like world peace or driving in a parkway and parking in a driveway.
Anyway, cool list as always, JFrater!
Side note: I did work in a deli for 3 years and knew what head cheese was…..I will never touch that stuff even on a bet. Nasty, gross and looks like vomit suspended in Jello.
My mother-in-law, who is German, has never yet steered me wrong on any kind of wurst ("sausage" to Texans), and she says head cheese is very good. But I agree with your very apt description and SERIOUSLY doubt I'll ever try it.
14. French fries did not originate in France. There are some doubts about their origin, but they most likely were invented in Belgium. They’re called “French” because vegetables sliced in that manner are called “julienned”, which sounds French. [Pictured above]
Half Belgium speaks french (Wallonia), so jullienned IS french, it not just sounds french.
I live in the dutch (flemisch) speaking area btw.
“Government Organization”
More of an oxymoron, but…
Hamburgers did not come from Hamburg, nor made of ham. They were first thought to be raw meat on grain, originating from Africa. This tradition was eventually brought to France, and they cooked the meat and used bread instead of grain. Americans finally made hamburgers into what they are today, and they get the credit.
Hamburgers are thought to have gotten their name through a terrible translation from Africa all the way down the line to America, though it is not known what the translation should have been.
What is sugar soap?
Thanks for the pic of french fries…I’m going to be craving them all day!
@Mosha (12):
It’s not a gas… it’s like a powder… which would be considered a solid. When you breathe it in the powder irritates your nose, throat, and lungs. It would be similar to throwing a handful of baby powder in the air… wou wouldn’t consider that a gas would you?
Did I misunderstand the one about french fries…..is julienned not a french word, just an english word that sounds french?….also belgiums main language is french, with some dutch thrown in, depending on where you are in the country
talk amongts urselves…..a peanut is neither a pea nor a nut….discuss!
10 points for whoever gets the reference!
And the term “Blitz” was applied by the English to the bombing of London and had NOTHING to do with German terminology – Blitzkrieg ended with the fall of France and was a term applied BY the Germans to that form of (previously unknown warfare combining both aerial and ground troops plus fast armoured assault.
In short – they were two different things and anyone who confuses the two is either an idiot or doesn’t read.
Egg Roll – the ‘pastry’ contains egg!
Yes, i was very upset when I found out that the titmouse flying around in my back yard was not a tit. I felt very ashamed of myself.
@ Late O’Day (25): “Who to believe? JFrater or the Oxford English Dictionary. Gee … that’s a toughie.”
The OED is descriptive – it is showing how the word is used (and undoubtedly it is). JFrater is prescriptive – he is outlining the derivation of the word and explaining how the word should be used.
(At least that’s my understanding.)
It’s a bit like a dictionary stating that “homophobia” is fear of homo*****uals, when the “homo” part actually means “the same”, so “homophobia” is actually “fear of the things that are the same”.
I’m a longtime reader, but first time commenter, and Late O’Day could not be more right. The definition the term anti-Semitism to describe hatred of Jews, even by Muslims and Arabs, is supported by the U.S. State Department (http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/40258.htm)
The claim that Arabs and Palestinians cannot be anti-Semitic unless they hated their own people is a semantic distortion, and one that is commonly used by Arab and Palestinian propagandists of anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic materials to excuse their own actions or to steer debate and accusations away from their actions.
OMG my world is gonna end… this is just unbelievable! Haha jokes =P nice list =]
19. An egg roll is an appetizer usually made by wrapping a combination of chopped vegetables, not eggs.
The item in question is called a Spring Roll. An egg roll is a hollow desert where the batter is made primarily of eggs.
‘or is a term commonly used in the media against any person who doesn’t agree with the Israeli perspective on the world.’
I take issue with this sentence JFrater. There is a big distinction between criticism of Israel and outright anti-Semitism. It’s not a term that is just thrown around all willy nilly.
those fries look good.if only i could reach out and grab it from the comp screen..GO FRENCH FRIES!!!!!!
heh… titmouse.
36. Mike Myers, on SNL skit Coffee Talk, as Linda Richman
@dre #35
You have the french speaking part (wallonia) and a dutch speaking part (flandria) and a very small german speaking part.
Mainlanguage isn’t french at all. It’s DUTCH and french.
@astraya JFrater is prescriptive – he is outlining the derivation of the word and explaining how the word should be used.
I respectfully suggest that neither you nor JFrater *know* the derivation, or you wouldn’t make that claim. As mentioned above, the term was coined by noted nutjob and proto-Nazi, Wilhelm Marr when he formed the League of Antisemites in 1879. I guarantee, he wasn’t concerned about a great “Arab” conspiracy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Marr
Thus, JFrater has neither common usage (descriptivism) nor etymological provenance (proscriptivism) on his side.
Another interesting list….
2) Blitzkrieg is essentially fast-moving warfare,
mechanized or not. “Krieg” is just the German word for
war. I’ve practiced house clearing drills which we’ve
termed as Blitzkrieg.
4) Egg Cream. Totally accurate, but as a guy in his
40′s raised in Queens, the very term brought back
nice memories. Thanks.
6) It has been my experience that any criticism
of Israel in the US is met with shrill cries of
“Anti-Semitic!” You are correct. The Arabs are
Semitic as well. Not all the Israelis though.
9) The “East” River is just a path the Hudson
makes around Manhattan on the East side. The part
that actually separates it is called the Harlem
river….it’s not very long.
12) We were taught that we use a Hindu-Arabic
numbering system (at St. Michael’s anyway) the
Arabic numerology is actually must closer:
ONE: ONE
TWO: BACKWARDS 7
THREE: BACKWARDS 7 WITH A WHOOPDIEDOO ON THE TOP PART
FOUR: BACKWARDS 3
FIVE: ZERO
SIX: 7
SEVEN: CHEVRON GOING DOWN
EIGHT: CHEVRON GOING UP
NINE: 9
ZERO: DECIMAL POINT
15) I loved Mongolian BBQ because the local
in CA would not “card” us <21 Marines.
You've got some of the numbers wrong. I've studied it, so i can say that your comment on the whole was right though.
It seems that a lot of these make more sense in ‘British English’:
Head Cheese – we say ‘brawn’ (still rather yuck-sounding!)
Titmouse – we just call them ‘tits’ (with much schoolboy smirking)
French Fried – our ‘chips’
Egg Roll – the pic looks more like what we Brits call a ‘spring roll’
Hmmmm, so 20% of the list is invalid for UK people
If white chocolate isn’t chocolate… What is it…? O.o
“Head cheese is actually a meat product.”
My sister and I loved this stuff when we were kids.
Not going to lie this is a rather weak list coming off of a string of very good ones.
““Anti-Semitism” has been accepted and understood to mean hatred of the Jewish people.”
Regardless of the origins of the phrase, the modern usage is specific. It refers to antipathy towards Jews…end of story.
you could have – islamophobia and xenophobia which would suggest a fear of but in reality means a hatred of mistrust
even if arabs and jews are both semites surely if they hate each other they can still be anti-semetic
@jfrater (17): Well clearly you are only pointing out the obvious, I laugh because all of this was obvious upon reading. You have failed utterly in making a high quality list that involved years of research and double-checking. Instead you prevent us with a simple list only for a little bit of morning entertainment. Which, for reasons I choose not to disclose, is just appalling. Your list is weak in that it’s purpose, dare I say “entertainment”, is just not what I woke up wanting to read. Because you didn’t pick up on my preferences, I can only logically blame you.
And for those reading this wondering “Who the hell does ianz09 think he is?”, I will tell you: Awesome. But it’s okay, I’m allowed to be narcissistic and egotistical, because (not trying to brag, just stating fact) I actually have a humongous dick. Don’t be too jealous, I have back problems for it.
Sorry jfrater, but I think this list failed, just like EVERYBODY else on the band wagon.
*meant to say present, not prevent. great, a typo
@dre (36): IT’S A LEGUME! ***** yeah, chalk one up for me!
The Holy Roman Empire was neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire
Enjoyed the list thanks JF.
timmar68@(33) Sugar soap is an abrasive cleaning ( scrubbing ) material, used for cleaning walls or removing wall paper prior to painting.
It looks like sugar crystels, hence the name Sugar soap.