'Mini' and 'factoid' don't mean what you think, with Jess Zafarris

1167. In this bonus segment that originally ran for Grammarpaloozians last October, we look at the surprising true origins of words that often fool people. We explore why "miniature" originally referred to a red color and not a size; the true, non-factual meaning of "factoid"; and how "hello" only became a common greeting because of the telephone. We also examine the indirect eponym behind the word "gasoline." Find Jess Zafarris online: Useless Etymology , TikTok , Twitter , Instagram 🔗 Join the Grammar Girl Patreon. 🔗 Share your familect recording in Speakpipe or by leaving a voicemail at 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475) 🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses . 🔗

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'Mini' and 'factoid' don't mean what you think, with Jess Zafarris is an episode from Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty, Inc..

This episode is 13:20 long.

This episode was published on Mar 12, 2026.

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