It's all in the name

MOHINDER SINGH

John Montague, the Earl of Sandwich was no ordinary earl, he was also the First Sea Lord of Great Britain in its day of naval supremacy. The great explorer James Cook named the Sandwich Islands after him.

John Montague was an inveterate gambler. He was so addicted to gambling, that he refused to interrupt his marathon gambling sessions to take his meals. So he commanded his valet to bring constant supplies of sliced meat between two slices of bread. And this began to be called a sandwich.

There are many other words in common use derived from names of persons. And behind each such word is a story.

The word "blanket" comes from the name of Thomas Blanket who was a weaver in England during the 14th Century. He is reputed to have spun the first blanket on a loom.

Andrews Celsius was the Swedish inventor who simplified the prevailing Fahrenheit scale (also named after its inventor Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit). A 1000 instead of 180, and starting from zero instead of 32.

The Earl of Cardigan led the historic Charge of the Light Brigade. The horsemen under him were wearing knitted woollen waistcoats. The knitted waistcoat was named cardigan in his honour.

Dame Nellie Melba was a popular Australian singer (she took the name Melba from her city Melbourne). After every performance in London, she would come to the famous Ritz Hotel for dinner. The hotel chef created a new dish for her, combining peaches and ice with whipped cream. This he named peach melba ice cream.

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