Did you know daisies mean "day's eye"? The stories behind 10 flower names

The names of the flowers blooming in gardens, parks, and shops carry centuries of linguistic history. Modern botanical taxonomies standardized plant classification, but everyday names were forged through visual observation, ancient mythology, and cultural trade. Exploring flower etymologies reveals how past generations perceived the natural world. Keep reading to discover the origin of the names of 10 common flowers.

The common bright yellow flower often dismissed as a lawn weed derives its name from an anatomical comparison. "Dandelion" enters English from the Anglo-French phrase dent-de-lion, which translates literally to "lion’s tooth".

Rather than referring to the yellow blossom, the name describes the plant’s sharp green leaves. Medieval botanists noted that these jagged edges of foliage closely resembled the sharp incisors of a lion. Similar literal translations exist in other languages, including the German Löwenzahn and the Spanish diente de león.

Derived from the Ancient Greek adjective azaleos, meaning "dry" or "parched", the azalea received its name from the pioneering Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century.

Linnaeus picked the name because this flower typically thrives in dry sandy soils and suffers when rooted in waterlogged ground. Though modern gardeners associate azaleas with damp spring rains and temperate woodlands, the name is a tribute to the plant’s preference for dry soil conditions.

The name of the garden pansy originates from the Middle French word pensée, meaning "thought" or "remembrance" (derived from the Latin verb pensare, meaning "to consider" or "to ponder").

During the Renaissance, herbalists felt the flower’s dark center and forward-facing petals resembled a human face bowed slightly forward in deep contemplation. Because of this association, pansies became traditional gifts to signal that the giver was thinking of the recipient, a symbolism later immortalized in Shakespeare’s Hamlet when Ophelia remarks, "there is pansies, that’s for thoughts".

The etymology of "carnation" follows two intertwined historical paths. The most widely accepted origin traces back to the Middle French carnation and the Latin carnatio (derived from caro, meaning "flesh"), referencing the soft pinkish flesh tone characteristic of the original wild blooms.

Another linguistic influence stems from "coronation". In ancient Greece and Rome, carnation blooms were woven into floral crowns (coronae) worn during ceremonial festivities and royal coronation rites. Over centuries of English usage, the terms for flesh color and ceremonial crowns merged into the modern word.

The story of the tulip’s name reflects the historical trade routes between Western Europe and the Ottoman Empire during the 16th century. The word comes into English via Middle French (tulipe) and Italian (tulipano), which adapted the Ottoman Turkish word tülbend (derived from the Persian dulband), meaning "turban".

European travelers visiting Constantinople were impressed by the resemblance between the folded layers of fabric in a traditional Ottoman turban and the cup-shaped, overlapping petals of the flower.

"Daisy" stands as an example of Old English botanical descriptive naming. Originating from the compound word dægesēage (literally translating to "day’s eye"), the name describes the flower’s natural sleep movement.

At nightfall, a daisy’s white outer petals fold inward over its central yellow disk. As dawn arrives, the petals unfold, exposing the golden center to the morning sun, mimicking an eye opening at the break of day.

Coined by French botanist Philibert Commerson in the 18th century, "hydrangea" combines two ancient Greek roots: hydr- (meaning "water") and angeion (meaning "vessel", "picher", or "capsule").

Many gardeners assume the name refers to the plant’s high water requirements; however, it actually describes the distinct shape of the plant’s mature seed pods. Once the colorful petals drop, the small seed capsules resemble traditional Greek water jars or pitchers.

Popularly known as pot marigold, "calendula" derives its name from the Medieval Latin calendula, a diminutive form of calendar (the "calends", or the first day of each month in the Roman calendar).

The Romans observed that in mild Mediterranean climates, calendula plants bloomed on or near the first day of almost every month of the year. This way, the name acts as a botanical calendar.

The word "petunia" arrived in European languages during the 18th century through French botanical reports from South America. French herbalists adapted the word pétun, an early French term for tobacco borrowed from petyn, a word used by the indigenous Tupi-Guarani peoples of Brazil.

When early European explorers encountered petunias growing wild in South America, they recognized their close physical resemblance to tobacco plants. Modern taxonomy confirmed this intuition: both petunias and tobacco belong to the nightshade family (Solanaceae).

Named after Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow and divine messenger between heaven and earth, this classic garden perennial boasts an ancient name.

In Greek mythology, the goddess Iris traveled along rainbows, connecting the realms of gods and mortals. Ancient botanists bestowed her name upon the flower because of its remarkable spectrum of natural colors, ranging from deep purple and cobalt blue to yellow, pink, and white.

A pirate’s life for me

Ahoy, matey! Sail with us and these 10 pirate words & phrases!

Image: David Dibert

Alongside cowboys and knights, pirates have always been a playtime staple. These historical figures have inspired countless childhood adventures, as well as several timeless characters from movies and books like Captain Hook or Long John Silver. In that sense, pirates’ carefree lifestyle also influenced their unique vocabulary, which has become as synonymous with their culture as their roguish exploits have. We have selected 10 of the most iconic terms and phrases from pirate slang to help us relive those endless afternoons playing with our friends. Enjoy!

Image: Steven Beyer

What’s a better way of welcoming you to this article than with a typical pirate salute? "Ahoy" is a versatile sailing term that can be used for greeting, bidding farewell, or simply catching the attention of someone. Being the seafaring adventurers that they were, this word is ever-present in pirate vocabulary and still playfully used by sailors everywhere.

Funnily, the origins of this word can be traced back to a landscape on which a pirate would not be particularly comfortable: Cattle herding. Apparently, "ahoy" comes from adding an extra letter to "hoy", a common English call to drive cattle.

Image: Palle Knudsen

The term "scallywag" (also sometimes spelled "scalawag") describes someone who is well-regarded, although he behaves in a somewhat mischievous manner. You can see how this term is now synonymous with pirates: Although these sea bandits were once deeply feared and despised, they are now looked at in a cheekier and devilish light.

What’s interesting is that scallywag was not a popular term during the time when pirates were most prominent (late 17th and 18th century). In fact, it most likely came into use during 19th century America, when the first pirate novels and plays were published.

Image: Sabina Kallari

Leave it to pirates to turn a simple wooden plank into a dreadful symbol. "Walking the Plank" describes a method of execution in which the accused is forced to walk on a wooden plank extended over the side of the ship, often bound and blindfolded.

While nowadays this technique is heavily associated with pirate culture, few (if any) real-life cases of people forced to walk the plank have been documented. In truth, it seems that it has become such a staple from its frequent use in literature and movies featuring pirates.

Image: Mateusz Dach

"Shiver me timbers" is an expression that was probably never uttered by a real pirate, but it has become so ingrained in this culture that it is difficult to find a fictional pirate who hasn’t said this phrase at least once. With hindsight, it seems only natural that this phrase has become so popular since it was first said by one of literature’s most iconic pirates.

In Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 classic "Treasure Island", the character of Long John Silver (considered by many to be the quintessential fictional pirate) says variations of "shiver me timbers" seven times throughout the novel. These exclamations were used to denote Long John’s surprise, anger, or annoyance, but they all denote an extreme shock, since the timbers referenced are the wooden support frames that hold a ship together.

Image: Anthony 🙂

Yeah, we know: "Argh" is not a word, but it is the go-to expression for any wanna-be pirate. Want to strike fear into the hearts of your seafaring enemies? Or maybe you just want to add an extra layer of drama to that Halloween costume. In any case, this onomatopoeia is the ultimate sound of anyone who chooses to impersonate a dreaded corsair.

This entry should be titled "sounds with an R associated with pirates", since other similar-sounding onomatopoeias like "yarr" or "‘arr" are also insanely popular. In that sense, trying to trace the origins of these sounds can be a rather daunting task. However, most sources agree that this type of pirate snarling was inspired by actor Robert Newton’s many groundbreaking pirate roles, including Long John Silver in the 1950s adaptation of "Treasure Island" and Blackbeard in 1952s "Blackbeard the Pirate".

Image: Jadon Barnes

No, we are not referring to a locked metal compartment where a man named Davy Jones might store his gym equipment. In truth, Davy Jones is the pirates’ very own boogeyman, a legendary spirit hellbent on taking sailors’ lives. In that sense, the expression "Davy Jones’ locker" is used to describe the final resting place of many dreaded pirates: The bottom of the sea.

The first written mention of Davy Jones is attributed to Robinson Crusoe’s author, Daniel Defoe, who mentions in a book the story of an enraged captain threatening to throw his crew to "Davy Jones’ Locker". Some believe the legend was inspired by a real pirate called David Jones, who sailed through the Indian Ocean in the 17th century.

Image: Tanhauser Vázquez R.

You would think that, for an honest person, being called a pirate would be insulting enough, but did you know that there’s an adjective that can be added to give an extra kick to the deceitful nature of corsairs? By today’s standards, the word "hornswoggling" sounds downright silly, but its meaning is less charming: to "hornswoggle" someone means to cheat or deceive them, usually for monetary gain.

Although the phrase "hornswoggling buccaneer" perfectly describes most pirates, this quirky word is by no means exclusive to them, since it is also associated with cowboys and gunslingers. In any case, we can’t end this entry without reiterating this warning: It doesn’t matter if it sounds like a Dr. Seuss character; don’t trust any hornswoggler you come across.

Image: Amy Syiek

Have you ever wondered why the quintessential pirate flag is called a "Jolly Roger"? Don’t you agree that the name seems a little too cheerful for such an ominous and threatening symbol? Unless the sunny disposition of a fellow named Roger inspired the first of these black flags, this name doesn’t really make sense.

Well, the truth is that no one really knows when the term Jolly Roger was first used, although we can be certain that it is not connected to the name Roger. The most prevailing theory points to the fact that pirates originally raised plain flags to indicate their would-be targets their intentions, where a red flag meant that no quarter would be given. In that sense, many believe that the term "Jolly Roger" comes from the French expression Joli Rouge, which translates to "pretty red".

Image: N.

Would you believe us if we told you that this entry features the most insulting word on this list? Granted, for us non-pirate folks the term "landlubber" doesn’t seem that harsh, but trust us: If you ever call a pirate this, be prepared for a loud and angry response.

As you might have guessed, "landlubber" is a discouraging adjective used to describe anyone not versed in the seafaring ways of the pirates. Basically, anyone who is more comfortable at land than at sea. You can see how a pirate might take offense to this, seeing as how sailing skills are an incredible source of pride for any corsair worth their salt.

Image: Lisa Fotios

We’ll end this article with a pirate term for comradery, which at the end of the day is one of the many things that pirates can teach us: How it feels to belong in a crew. Although pirates were definitively deceitful outlaws, they were bound by a code of honor that focused on trusting in your commander and your crewmates with your life.

In that sense, the word "matey" is one of the most affectionate things a pirate can say to another. This term, which is used for a friend or a comrade, seems to come from the French word matelot, which means "sailor" or "seaman". If you want to end up with more than a few pirate friends, then this is the word for you!