Hello and welcome to the first edition of The Week in Words, the weekly blog of Iberenglish / Alliance Languages! At the academy, we are fascinated by the origins of words and the stories they carry. In this blog, we’ll share anecdotes, learning tips, and fun facts to make language learning enjoyable and inspiring.

As we begin this new weekly adventure, and with Thanksgiving just around the corner, it feels fitting to start with a theme very close to our hearts: gratitude. At our language academy, we are truly thankful for you—our students, our community, and our readers who share our love of learning. Your curiosity and enthusiasm inspire us every day.

Thanksgiving has a rich history. It dates back to the early 1600s, when the Pilgrims celebrated a successful harvest in what is now Massachusetts. They shared a feast with the local Wampanoag people, marking a moment of cooperation and thankfulness. Over the centuries, Thanksgiving became a national tradition in the United States—a time to gather, give thanks, and enjoy seasonal foods.

In recent years, a modern twist has emerged: Friendsgiving. This celebration combines “friend” and “Thanksgiving,” giving friends a chance to come together, share a meal, and express gratitude—sometimes alongside family celebrations.

Since Thanksgiving is all about sharing, here are a few fun word origins connected to the holiday:

• Turkey – The bird’s name comes from a historical mix-up: 16th-century English speakers associated the bird with Turkish merchants who imported exotic birds, and the name stuck.
• Succotash – This colorful dish of corn and beans comes from the Narragansett word msíckquatash, meaning “boiled whole kernels of corn.”
• Cranberry – From German Kranbeere, or “crane berry,” because the plant’s flowers resemble a crane’s beak.
• Cornucopia – From Latin cornu (“horn”) + copia (“abundance”), this “horn of plenty” symbolizes richness and generosity.

These words remind us that language carries history, culture, and stories—just like Thanksgiving itself. We hope this season brings you joy, delicious food, and plenty of words to explore! Let us know if there are other words and origins you would like to explore!