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Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things
For lovers of facts, students of popular culture, history buffs, and science enthusiasts, the fascinating stories behind 500 everyday items, expressions, and customs--from Kleenex to steak sauce, Barbie Dolls to honeymoons.
463 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
470 people are currently reading
1947 people want to read
About the author
Charles Panati
31 books17 followersCharles Panati is a former college professor, industrial physicist, author, and science editor of Newsweek.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
August 13, 2012
A good blend of history and speculation. The author sorts by various criteria--origins of superstitions; holidays; customs; inventions and much more!
Many people might just dip into this type of book just looking for certain infomration--but I read it entirely and found the writing well well organized and fun.
The illustrations from older books reprinted here I found added much to my please. a picture is worth a thousa nd words, they say--and I always enjoy old phtographs and engravings.
Of course, with so much informationb I cannot recall everything nor do I plant to. I just wanted to pick up some neat and interesting facts about history--and this book succeded in that.
Of course, some of the history might be debated--especially back in the times of the ancient world. The author does point out that these are the best estimates available at time of writing.
Highly recommended for anyone interest is history; popular culture; word origins; and origins of many of our customs and inventions.
Many people might just dip into this type of book just looking for certain infomration--but I read it entirely and found the writing well well organized and fun.
The illustrations from older books reprinted here I found added much to my please. a picture is worth a thousa nd words, they say--and I always enjoy old phtographs and engravings.
Of course, with so much informationb I cannot recall everything nor do I plant to. I just wanted to pick up some neat and interesting facts about history--and this book succeded in that.
Of course, some of the history might be debated--especially back in the times of the ancient world. The author does point out that these are the best estimates available at time of writing.
Highly recommended for anyone interest is history; popular culture; word origins; and origins of many of our customs and inventions.
April 13, 2012
I will start by saying this is a tricky one not only to read but also to rate. Its a great book don't get me wrong - its just the classic dip in dip out type where you want to read it a bit at a time - all in one go and you may lose the will to read again. Its packed full of facts and interesting details just thats its problem - there are too many with too much information - hence why i struggle to choose the right rating for it. Some of the details are brilliant and i honestly was surprised others were - ok not sure that will really impress me but i have read it now.
Therefore i would say its an interesting read - and if like me you see it on your travels go out and get it - but there are other better more fascinating books like this. In short this is the sort of book you could have easily seen serialised in a magazine as much as having it collected in to quite a weighty book.
Therefore i would say its an interesting read - and if like me you see it on your travels go out and get it - but there are other better more fascinating books like this. In short this is the sort of book you could have easily seen serialised in a magazine as much as having it collected in to quite a weighty book.
June 26, 2016
I love finding out where do things and words come from and this book is an excellent source of both. Here are some examples:
- hamburgers originate from Russia
- the term 'lens' originates from the Italian lentils (the vegetable) - because they have the same shape
- pretzels originated in medieval Italy
My only con about this book is that is written by and American for Americans so I missed some of the references - for example there is a whole chapter about nursery rimes that I couldn't relate to.
- hamburgers originate from Russia
- the term 'lens' originates from the Italian lentils (the vegetable) - because they have the same shape
- pretzels originated in medieval Italy
My only con about this book is that is written by and American for Americans so I missed some of the references - for example there is a whole chapter about nursery rimes that I couldn't relate to.
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July 30, 2009I bought it. Ever wonder why their called 'bobby pins' or why do celebrate certain holidays, or where the kitchen stove idea came from? This book is the history behind the many, many things we use everyday. I found it really interesting. Check it out!
March 19, 2009
Awesome book. Great for just a reference to some holiday, saying, tradition or whatever. Perfect for an inquisitive mind. I think it has anything and more you can possibly think to ask.
July 17, 2009
I wonder about the authenticity of some entries, but it's undeniably a fun and interesting read.
August 4, 2013
Some interesting historical facts about items, rituals, celebrations and language we use in our lives today. I would have liked to read more detail on most of the information.
April 12, 2021
I got to about page 70, and lost interest. Half the stuff Panati lists as "facts" are more like opinions of "folklorists" or citations from questionable history. And he gets stuff really wrong. For example, he says that "German settlers in Pennsylvania in the 1700s brought the idea of the Easter bunny from their homeland. Then, as the Germans spread through the US, the Easter bunny came with them." This is ridiculous. Germans have settled all over the US since the early 1700s, they didn't just spread from PA. Panati likely has no idea how the Easter bunny became so popular.
Here's another: he says the number 13 became an unlucky number because the Norse gods had a big dinner, with twelve gods in attendance. Then Loki crashed the party, which made it 13. This myth, says Panati, likely influenced the story of the Last Supper. Also ridiculous, and more likely the other way around. The Norse myths weren't written down until the middle ages, and were part of the belief system of Scandinavians a thousand years AFTER the Last Supper occurred. Yes!! No one knows what the Norse believed before the birth of Christ. Panati seems to assume Norse mythology is OLDER than Christianity. He assumes wrong. And it's doubtful that a dinner in Asgard influenced the idea of the number 13 being unlucky. Maybe to people in Iceland. But no one else.
There might be plenty of factual information here, but it is so interwoven with assumptions, shoddy research, and likely fiction, that it was just too tiresome to read. I realize this is an old book--published in 1987. My copy was brand new, having been purchased by my library in 1995, where it sat on the reference shelf for the next 26 years, untouched. And it's not a reference book--just a collection of fun "facts," which are sometimes not facts at all. Today, scholars don't believe that just because the Egyptians had a specific holiday, custom, or superstition, that it got passed on to every other civilization, right down to us. Cultural transmission doesn't work like that.
All in all, I can't believe half of what Panati claims is true, or even sort of true. He thinks it's okay to just make stuff up, and pretend it's real. We don't like that in 2021. Fake news. Fake history.
Here's another: he says the number 13 became an unlucky number because the Norse gods had a big dinner, with twelve gods in attendance. Then Loki crashed the party, which made it 13. This myth, says Panati, likely influenced the story of the Last Supper. Also ridiculous, and more likely the other way around. The Norse myths weren't written down until the middle ages, and were part of the belief system of Scandinavians a thousand years AFTER the Last Supper occurred. Yes!! No one knows what the Norse believed before the birth of Christ. Panati seems to assume Norse mythology is OLDER than Christianity. He assumes wrong. And it's doubtful that a dinner in Asgard influenced the idea of the number 13 being unlucky. Maybe to people in Iceland. But no one else.
There might be plenty of factual information here, but it is so interwoven with assumptions, shoddy research, and likely fiction, that it was just too tiresome to read. I realize this is an old book--published in 1987. My copy was brand new, having been purchased by my library in 1995, where it sat on the reference shelf for the next 26 years, untouched. And it's not a reference book--just a collection of fun "facts," which are sometimes not facts at all. Today, scholars don't believe that just because the Egyptians had a specific holiday, custom, or superstition, that it got passed on to every other civilization, right down to us. Cultural transmission doesn't work like that.
All in all, I can't believe half of what Panati claims is true, or even sort of true. He thinks it's okay to just make stuff up, and pretend it's real. We don't like that in 2021. Fake news. Fake history.
May 29, 2021
¡Hola!
Es un libro curioso, dividido en apartados que lo organizan un poco (supersticiones, costumbres, calendario, en la mesa, en la cocina, casa y su entorno, cuentos infantiles, el cuarto de baño, artículos de tocador, el botiquín, la indumentaria, en el dormitorio, el cuarto de juegos y la despensa). Se remonta en la Historia para ver dónde han surgido costumbres, utensilios o historias y cómo han evolucionado. Pasa por cosas tan diversas como que el gesto de juntar las manos para rezar surgió de un gesto de rendición (como si tuvieras las manos atadas) o que hubo una época en la que con la servilleta te llevabas parte de la comida, como signo de buena educación y respeto a tu anfitrión.
Pasa por ropa, juguetes, cuentos infantiles, supersticiones, herramientas, comida... Había algunos que me sonaban (que la fíbula fue la predecesora de los imperdibles o el descubrimiento del velcro), pero de la mayoría no tenía ni idea (hubo botones decorativos mucho antes de que a alguien se le ocurriera un ojal para sujetar las prendas, ¡para eso ya había alfileres y cinturones!; no consigo visualizar lo que es despabilar una vela, ¿cómo la recortas sin que se apague?; ¡Cuando los chinos inventaron su carretilla pusieron la rueda central, con lo que la diriges, pero no cargas peso!; en vez de en la zona delantera, como los europeos).
En algunas cosas se le nota la edad al libro y que lo escribió un norteamericano (aunque también hay bastante presencia de Europa, tanto en los últimos siglos como en las civilizaciones mediterráneas antiguas, en las que incluye Egipto; pero apenas aparecen detalles de Asia y muy pocas menciones a África, Suramérica u Oceanía) pero, en general, me ha parecido muy curioso y está redactado de una forma amena, casi a modo de enciclopedia con distintas entradas en cada capítulo (dedicado a un tema concreto).
Quiero mencionar que, en algunos casos, se remonta al origen de las palabras. Y no sé si el traductor añadió detalles por su parte, pero a veces se refiere al origen de palabras españolas y me pareció bonito. Que hay otras palabras de las que menciona su evolución, en general, y cómo de dos focos distintos surgieron en varios idiomas y de ahí las raíces que comparten algunas palabras en idiomas cercanos. Pero las palabras que busca en concreto en español tienen más encanto, ¿no te parece?
Es un libro curioso, dividido en apartados que lo organizan un poco (supersticiones, costumbres, calendario, en la mesa, en la cocina, casa y su entorno, cuentos infantiles, el cuarto de baño, artículos de tocador, el botiquín, la indumentaria, en el dormitorio, el cuarto de juegos y la despensa). Se remonta en la Historia para ver dónde han surgido costumbres, utensilios o historias y cómo han evolucionado. Pasa por cosas tan diversas como que el gesto de juntar las manos para rezar surgió de un gesto de rendición (como si tuvieras las manos atadas) o que hubo una época en la que con la servilleta te llevabas parte de la comida, como signo de buena educación y respeto a tu anfitrión.
Pasa por ropa, juguetes, cuentos infantiles, supersticiones, herramientas, comida... Había algunos que me sonaban (que la fíbula fue la predecesora de los imperdibles o el descubrimiento del velcro), pero de la mayoría no tenía ni idea (hubo botones decorativos mucho antes de que a alguien se le ocurriera un ojal para sujetar las prendas, ¡para eso ya había alfileres y cinturones!; no consigo visualizar lo que es despabilar una vela, ¿cómo la recortas sin que se apague?; ¡Cuando los chinos inventaron su carretilla pusieron la rueda central, con lo que la diriges, pero no cargas peso!; en vez de en la zona delantera, como los europeos).
En algunas cosas se le nota la edad al libro y que lo escribió un norteamericano (aunque también hay bastante presencia de Europa, tanto en los últimos siglos como en las civilizaciones mediterráneas antiguas, en las que incluye Egipto; pero apenas aparecen detalles de Asia y muy pocas menciones a África, Suramérica u Oceanía) pero, en general, me ha parecido muy curioso y está redactado de una forma amena, casi a modo de enciclopedia con distintas entradas en cada capítulo (dedicado a un tema concreto).
Quiero mencionar que, en algunos casos, se remonta al origen de las palabras. Y no sé si el traductor añadió detalles por su parte, pero a veces se refiere al origen de palabras españolas y me pareció bonito. Que hay otras palabras de las que menciona su evolución, en general, y cómo de dos focos distintos surgieron en varios idiomas y de ahí las raíces que comparten algunas palabras en idiomas cercanos. Pero las palabras que busca en concreto en español tienen más encanto, ¿no te parece?
July 12, 2023
This book was gifted to me by a dear friend (Rachel Allen). It’s a wealth of information. It’s more of an informational book. Some things were fascinating to me, other things weren’t. I believe any person would find ‘some parts of it’ interesting. Here are a just a handful of tidbits that interested me:
-Tying a string around the finger serves merely as a reminder of a task to be performed.
-Christmas cards originated in London in 1843. Previously people had exchanged handwritten holiday greetings.
-Picasso painted on a brown paper bag.
-In 1855, Charles Goodyear wrote, “the certainty of success warranted extreme measures of sacrifice.”
-DRACULA (the book) was an immense success when published in 1897, wrapped in a brown paper cover.
-It was the Roman word for beard (barba) that gave us the term “barber”.
-Incense, used to mask the stench of sacrificial burning flesh, evolved into perfume.
-Indigestion was treated with a chew of peppermint leaves and carbonates (known as antacids).
-The Graham cracker originated as a health food, and in Britain it is still known as a “digestive biscuit”.
…and I have many more. I’d say one needs to read it to find the parts that fascinate your own brain. You’ll be surprised.
-Tying a string around the finger serves merely as a reminder of a task to be performed.
-Christmas cards originated in London in 1843. Previously people had exchanged handwritten holiday greetings.
-Picasso painted on a brown paper bag.
-In 1855, Charles Goodyear wrote, “the certainty of success warranted extreme measures of sacrifice.”
-DRACULA (the book) was an immense success when published in 1897, wrapped in a brown paper cover.
-It was the Roman word for beard (barba) that gave us the term “barber”.
-Incense, used to mask the stench of sacrificial burning flesh, evolved into perfume.
-Indigestion was treated with a chew of peppermint leaves and carbonates (known as antacids).
-The Graham cracker originated as a health food, and in Britain it is still known as a “digestive biscuit”.
…and I have many more. I’d say one needs to read it to find the parts that fascinate your own brain. You’ll be surprised.
December 20, 2024
Very interesting but only for dipping into and reading bits when you feel like it. A lot of it can be found on the internet nowadays but it's well researched and is an easy reference book. Unlike one of the scathing reviews which mentioned the Levi Strauss story as incorrect and condemned the book on that basis the book story matches the Levi Strauss website story, so it gave me more confidence in the other stories too. It's a book to dip into and use from time to time and being a paperback it doesn't take much room lying around and won't drop to pieces. Well worth the money.
This book is bursting with origins of everything from shoes to jeans to soap to air conditioning. It is a wonderful collection of facts about what we use, where the ideas came from, and how spin-offs of one idea led into an entire product market.... by accident. Amazing read.
This book is bursting with origins of everything from shoes to jeans to soap to air conditioning. It is a wonderful collection of facts about what we use, where the ideas came from, and how spin-offs of one idea led into an entire product market.... by accident. Amazing read.
May 30, 2021
This is a secondhand book store find .It is 34 years old ,and many changes has happened since then .This book might have been interesting then ,but lacks humor ,sounds today written more to teenagers and children .
Of course today all this information can be googled and find even more interesting information than the book .I do not intend to read the book from cover to end ,but started with the kitchen and household products .If in the future feel like looking up another curiosity I might .
Of course today all this information can be googled and find even more interesting information than the book .I do not intend to read the book from cover to end ,but started with the kitchen and household products .If in the future feel like looking up another curiosity I might .
July 4, 2022
Creative writers, history buffs and Jeopardy fans should read this book. Who knew plumbing existed as early as 3,000 B.C., but when the Roman Era ended it took with it hygiene, which did not return until 1830s. It's interesting that so many things we take for granted now were treated with suspicion and superstition when first introduced, things like the eating utensil, the fork, and cleanliness, like daily bathing were against the church's preaching.
August 26, 2024
What a fun book to read! I recommend buying a copy of this thoroughly researched compilation for yourself and anyone you know who likes knowing "the rest of the story." Keep your copy handy for those days when you're in the mood for light reading that will surprise, amaze, or just bring a smile to your day.
January 20, 2026
I had a toouggh time with this book. Unlike Bill Bryson’s “At Home,” which is similar in that it discusses the origins of things at home, this book had no narrative at all. It’s an encyclopedia of facts, which is fine to dip in and out of, but the selection of things and customs aren’t necessarily topics I care to learn more about.
May 31, 2017
tells bout the origins/facts of holidays, superstitions, foods, customs ,the calendar (holidays), the bathroom (that one had me laughing), in/around the house, the kitchen, nursery ...... the list goes on.
i learned alot and had alot of laughs.
i learned alot and had alot of laughs.
November 14, 2019
Pretty loong, sometimes boring, sometimes entertaining, sometimes interesting, sometimes just makin you say 'Oh god I can't wait to this finish' ing, a cute, pretty trivia book mostly focused on Europe and America history.
April 4, 2022
Some of the stuff I skimmed through because I just didn’t care. Others were quite interesting but these chapters tend to be shorter. Basically, most things and ideas tend to originate from ancient Egypt, China, or Rome. Like, did you know ice cream originated in China?
May 16, 2022
A jam-packed book full of information and intriguing details. I never thought I would care to find out about where some of my superstitions rooted from or why and how but when it's put in the format that's interesting you wonder why you didn't Wonder All along:)
August 6, 2019
Intriguing and often surprising anecdotes - a fun read!
August 20, 2019
Perfectly serviceable bedtime reading. Nothing to go out of your way for, but I found a copy when helping to clean out my grandparents house, and it made for interesting reading in small doses.
December 28, 2020
Good one!
January 9, 2022
A lot of interesting information, which I'm not likely to remember.
June 15, 2023
My favorite book, And I want to read again 😍❤️
September 20, 2024
Great short entries about a variety of subjects. Good bathroom reader, for someone in the hospital or when you only have a few minutes at a time
August 25, 2025
Good read full of fun and interesting facts.
September 2, 2025
It's a long book and it varies. Some parts I found very interesting (the origins of fairy tales) and some parts I didn't.
November 28, 2025
One of my all-time fav books. This book taught me how much I adore learning the origins of everything. had to buy like 4 more from this author. so cool!
December 28, 2016
A remarkable book filled with amazing details. It is the perfect bathroom reader, and I have read quite a few of those.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews