The terminology tag has no wiki summary.
9
votes
5answers
249 views
Since the inception of the United States, has the term “America” ever referred to something more than simply “the United States”?
Today we use the terms America and the United States as synonyms. The official name of the country is The United States of America. But prompted by a question on another forum, wherein an author ...
3
votes
2answers
60 views
'Sub rosa' council meetings
Wiktionary's etymology of the term sub rosa reads:
The rose's connotation for secrecy dates back to Greek mythology. Aphrodite gave a rose to her son Eros, the god of love; he, in turn, gave it to ...
12
votes
3answers
629 views
What is the difference between the Middle Ages and the Dark Ages?
Is there any difference between the "Middle Ages" and the "Dark Ages"?
2
votes
6answers
151 views
What lands have been called by names chosen to disassociate those lands from its inhabitants
Historically, the name "Persia" has been applied to southern Asia to disassociate that land from the people who inhabit it, who called themselves Aran. Similarly, the name "Palestine" has been applied ...
8
votes
2answers
202 views
Why aren't the Americas named after Christopher Columbus
I was reading the question Why is Columbus Credited with Discovering America, and I wondered why aren't the Americas named after him?
I was under the impression that although he is the one we credit ...
3
votes
2answers
125 views
Who first coined the name “Wahhabi”?
Specifically, did Muslims coin it or non-Muslims?
Is there any evidence, recorded in history, about the first usage of this term?
6
votes
1answer
101 views
Vigenere vs. Bellaso
I noticed on the Wikipedia article for the Vigenere cipher, that:
The Vigenère (French pronunciation: [viʒnɛːʁ]) cipher has been
reinvented many times. The method was originally described by ...
9
votes
2answers
488 views
Where did the term “Middle Ages” come from?
Where did the term "Middle Ages" come from? Who was the first known person to use that term?
8
votes
3answers
337 views
What Was “Courtly Love” (Amour Courtois?)
My understanding was that it was a form of "extramarital" romance for knights and nobles in Europe during the Middle Ages. Was it ever an "institution" anywhere, and what (if any) impact did it have ...
6
votes
1answer
152 views
What makes a distinct civilization?
Inspired by this question, I have a more general one: What is, historically speaking, a civilization?
We can identify broad traits that make a society a civilization- agriculture, city building, ...
5
votes
2answers
179 views
What does Lollard mean?
When John Wycliffe's followers gained support from the common people, why did the church call them Lollards? What does Lollard mean? Why didn't they just call them Wycliffites?
