Names that contain multitudes

10 real people who became widely used adjectives

Is it possible for a person to leave such a deep impression in their time that their name becomes synonymous with their most predominant characteristics? Of course! We can find many examples of this across history, but also in words that we use or hear often, and we might not realize that they are the names of famous queens, generals, writers, or philosophers. Here are 10 adjectives you have heard at least once that come from the name of a historical character.

Meaning: aggressive and domineering as a way to compensate for a fault in a different aspect.

Be it that we think of Napoleon Bonaparte as a military genius or as a very lucky madman, we can’t deny that he was ambitious and assertive. However, some of his detractors say that this attitude was a way for him to compensate for his (very documented) lack of height. No matter his military triumphs, the name ‘Napoleon’ remained stuck to a physical trait.

Meaning: grand, heroic, epic.

Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey are two of the most influential literary works of all time. Narrating the War of Troy, Odysseus’ journey back home, and the workings of the gods in human fate, the impact of these works in Western culture has made them, and their creator, the epitome of all that’s epic and heroic.

Meaning: a complex, bizarre, and illogical situation.

Franz Kafka is known for his stunning prose, but even more for the oppressive and alienating world his characters live in, be it that they wake up turned into a giant insect or that they have to navigate the nightmares of a bureaucratic system. So, add ‘kafkaesque’ to your repertoire for the next time you are left endlessly waiting on a call with customer service.

Meaning: cunning, sneaky, manipulative.

We often describe evil people and things as ‘Machiavellian’, but was Niccolo Machiavelli that twisted? Not necessarily, but some might say his ideas were. As the author of the political philosophy treatise The Prince, he was of the idea that the common good might justify using not-so-good means, which resulted in his name being associated with those who put their own interests above ethics and morals.

Meaning: excessively harsh or severe.

Chances are that, even if you heard the term ‘draconian’, you don’t know it refers to a real person. Draco was an Athenian lawmaker from the 7th century BC, infamous for creating a legal code so strict that even minor crimes warranted the death penalty. The severity of this code was such that his name became synonymous with excessive laws and regulations.

Meaning: defying traditional heroic ideals, anti-heroic.

As far as 19th-century poets go, none was as rebellious, cynical, and self-destructive as George Gordon, better known as Lord Byron, and his male characters followed suit. Leaving a lasting impact in English society, the name Byron came to signify melancholy, rebellion, arrogance, cynicism, and a complete disregard for social rules.

Meaning: prudish, strait-laced, old-fashioned, rigid.

As the second-longest reigning monarch of the UK, Queen Victoria and her 63-year-long reign left a deep impression on British society and on the world. Although the Victorian era was characterised by industrialization and social reform, it was also a time when society behaved according to a strict moral code that is seen today as hypocritical, prudish, and extremely rigid.

Meaning: an automatic or conditioned response to a specific stimulus.

When Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov trained a dog to associate the sound of a bell with food, which in turn caused the dog to salivate when the bell rang, he couldn’t have imagined that his name would become an adjective used across the world. Next time you associate a random sound or action with a memory, remember that that Pavlovian response can be described thanks to a dog.

Meaning: bleak, tragic, grim, eccentric.

Prolific 19th-century author Charles Dickens published his novels in installments meant to be read by the middle and working classes, so naturally, he chose topics he thought would appeal to those people, which resulted in stories of social injustice, poverty, industrialization, and its consequences, with a cast of eccentric characters to match. Dickens is now a revered author and the hand behind several beloved stories, but his name has turned into a way to describe situations reminiscent of those he depicted in his work.

Meaning: a spiritual, intellectual, or emotional relationship, free from desire.

We use the term ‘platonic’ often, and although we know who Plato was, we sometimes fail to realize that what he described in his works and what we call ‘platonic’ are not the same thing. In his writings, Plato suggested that true love was spiritual and could transcend the physical aspect of life. With the passing of time, people came to associate the ‘platonic’ idea of love with a love freed from physical desire.

What science says

It was false after all: 10 health myths that sound true—but aren't

Image: Alicja Gancarz

Health myths are everywhere! These ideas were simply passed down for so long that they became part of what we believed. But now science has stepped in to clear things up. Does cold weather make you sick? Can lemon detox your body? Is reading in low light really harmful? Let's uncover the truth behind 10 common health myths!

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Have you ever been told that cutting your hair will make it grow faster? We're sorry to say that's just a myth. Hair grows from the root, not the ends. So, trimming it won't boost growth, though it does help remove split ends that can make your hair look dry or unhealthy.

Image: Thom Holmes

This is one of the most common health myths. Cold weather often gets blamed, but it's not the temperature that makes you catch a cold. During winter, we tend to stay indoors with others and keep the windows closed, an environment that makes it easier for viruses to spread. That's why colds tend to be more common in winter!

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The idea that eating before bed automatically leads to weight gain is a myth. In reality, it has more to do with what you eat and how much, rather than the time of day. Often, when we eat very late at night, we're tired and more likely to reach for quick, high-calorie, heavy foods. This can disrupt sleep and lead to consuming more calories than we burn, both of which may affect weight. If it's close to bedtime, it's better to have something light and healthy in a moderate portion than to skip a meal altogether.

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Does wearing glasses weaken your vision? Myth! If an eye doctor prescribes glasses, wearing them as directed helps correct your vision; it won't make it worse. Additionally, the right glasses can help prevent or reduce headaches caused by reading or spending long hours in front of a screen.

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This myth is closely related to the previous one. If you love reading and sometimes have to do it in low light because of the situation, don't worry. According to experts, reading in low light doesn't cause permanent or irreversible eye damage. However, it's not recommended because it can make your eyes feel tired or strained, leading to discomfort or headaches.

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We're all different, and so are our bodies. The idea that everyone should drink exactly eight glasses of water a day is more of a general guideline than a rule. Staying well hydrated throughout the day is extremely important, but how much water you need depends on factors like your weight, age, climate, and overall health. We should prioritize staying consistently hydrated instead of obsessing over the number of glasses we drink.

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Some people say drinking lemon water helps eliminate toxins and cleanse the body. While adding a slice of lemon to your water is a refreshing way to stay hydrated, it doesn't have any special "detoxifying" powers. The vitamin C in citrus fruits is beneficial, but the body has its own natural detox system. The liver and kidneys are the main organs that filter waste and eliminate toxins.

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Not all fats are bad! Just like other food groups, your body needs fats to function properly. The important thing is knowing the difference between healthy fats and those that can be harmful. Foods like avocados, seeds, olive oil, fish, and nuts are rich in healthy fats. On the other hand, the fats found in processed or fried foods are the ones that can have a negative impact on your body.

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Liver diseases can be serious. While heavy and frequent consumption of alcohol and fats is a major contributor, it's not the only cause. Liver problems can also result from many other factors. These include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, genetic disorders, high blood pressure, and exposure to certain chemicals.

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There's some truth to it: breakfast is important because it replenishes our glucose and energy levels and supports proper metabolism. However, the idea that it's the most important meal of the day might be an exaggeration. Everyone's body has different needs, and all meals are important, so we shouldn't skip any of them!