The s in island was added later because of a mistaken link to Latin insula. The older English form was iland, from Old English roots.

Kayak entered English from Inuit and Yupik languages, where related words referred to a hunter’s boat used in Arctic communities.

“Crocodile tears” means fake or insincere sadness. The phrase comes from an old belief about crocodiles crying while eating prey.

“Make no bones about it” once meant to raise no objections or hesitation. Over time, it came to mean speaking plainly and directly.