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A DEADLINE, the time limit for a task, used to literally mean a 'dead line'. Walking past it, prisoners in the American Civil War could be shot

Once, both MAZE and AMAZE shared the same meaning of confuse. But gradually the meanings of a labyrinth and astonish grew apart

NEWS, although it is indeed tidings from North East West and South, does not originate from this, but rather a combination of Latin 'neo' and Greek 'novus'

Getting off SCOT FREE means avoid paying taxes (sceot)

Having a great time, or a FIELD DAY, has its origins in the army 300 years ago when it was used to describe military exercises

In civil cases, the letter V in a court case doesn't stand for VERSUS. Instead it means 'and'

The only number with its letters in reverse alphabetical order is ONE

The term BLOCKBUSTER came from a WWII bomb which literally busted whole city blocks

The NUT in DOUGHNUT refers to the original shape of the confection, not its ingredients

Eating HUMBLE PIE is a mispronunciation of Numble Pie, a dish of venison entrails