Names That Became Common Words

We all know about the Earl of Sandwich who lent his name to one of our favorite on the go dishes - the sandwich. However, here is a list that is sure to amaze and intrigue.

History is certainly full of fascinating tidbits.  In this case, these people will have there name live on in the form of common words.

Marquis de Sade

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The French aristocrat the Marquis de Sade (1740 - 1814) spent many years in jail and insane asylums for committing a number or scandalous sex crimes.  In one instance, he purchased the sexual services of a prostitute, and then locked her in a room in his castle where he repeatedly abused her sexually and physically.  She escaped from a second story window and ran away.  At that time, his mother in law obtained a "lettre de cache" that excluded him from any jurisdiction that could prosecute him for his criminal behavior. As a result, his behavior deteriorated by epic proportions.

His infamous reputation due to his non stop mistreatment of anyone who could fall prey to his cruelty was so profound that the term "sadism" was coined to describe inflicting pain on another for ones own personal pleasure.

Leopold Von Sacher-Masoch

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Leopold Von Sacher-Masoch (1836 - 1895) was, of course, the complete opposite to the "esteemed" de Sade.  Due in part to a childhood of bloody horror stories told to him by his nurse Handscha, the Austrian novelist Sacher-Masoch found that he could only derive pleasure from being physically abused and tortured.  He even signed a contract with his mistress Fanny Pistor on December 8, 1869, stipulating that he was to be her slave for six months.

According to the contract, he would even travel in the third class section while she did so in first class.  The term "masochism" was first coined by Austiran psychiatrist Richard Freiherr von Frafft-Ebing in his paper called Psychopthia Sexualis in 1886.

Rudolf Diesel

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German engineer Rudolf Diesel  (1858 - 1913) is credited with inventing the "diesel"engine while working for the Krupp factory.  He also studied thermodynamics and fuel efficiency and wrote numerous papers including one titled "Theory and design of a rational thermal engine to replace the steam engine and the combustion engines known today."  Today, his family still owns the patents for the design of the diesel engine in Germany, the United States and many other countries.

Jean Nicot

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French Ambassador Jean Nicot (1530? - 1600) was given a Florida tobacco plant during a mission in Portugal.  He brought it back to France when he returned and started a business when he discovered a growing interest in the plant, which at the time was sold as "American Powder."  The "nicotine" in tobacco is, of course, named after him.

Joseph-Ignace Guillotin

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Joseph Guillotin was a prominent Parisian physician and a member of the French National Assembly.  He spoke out in favor of a more humane method of capital punishment, and as a result, decapitation by sword and hanging were soon replaced by a quick and efficient "guillotine." Although the guillotine was named after him, it was actually designed by Dr. Antoine Louis and constructed by Tobias Smith.

Amelia Jenks Bloomer

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Although bloomers were really created by Mrs. Elizabeth S. Miller in 1850, it was Amelia Bloomer (1818 - 1894) who wore them in July of 1851 while speaking at a womens rights meeting and made them popular.  Mrs. Bloomer was an active supporter along with Susan Anthony of the the Womens Rights Movement.  Her call for a sensible alternative to the restrictive and even dangerous clothing that women were required to wear led to their widespread use as well as the name.

Earl of Sandwich

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John Montagu, The Fourth Earl of Sandwich of England (1718 - 1792) led a public life laced with political corruption and a private life tainted by questionable morals.  Being a compulsive gambler, the Earl would refuse to leave the card table for a meal during a game.  Instead, he would order a servant to bring him a slice of meat between two pieces of bread.  The term sandwich was coined by the servants when they passed his wishes on to the cook.

Etienne de Silhouette

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In an attempt to restore the postwar economy in France, Controller General Silhouette (1709 - 1767) imposed a mountain of new taxes, most of which were aimed at the rich.  After several months, he was forced to resign due to the continuing deterioration of the economy.  His name soon became associated with cheap and "empty" commodities such as trousers with no pockets and shadow portraits (silhouettes).