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Origin of Phrases - V

 

Vampire

Belief in vampires centers in the Slavic countries, and the word's origins can be traced to the Hungarian word, "vampir."  Though similar variations can be found in Russian, Polish, Bulgarian, and other languages of the area, it has been suggested that the ultimate source may have been the North Turkish word "uber," meaning witch.

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Origin of Phrases - V

 

Van

The vehicular name is a shortened version of caravan and dates back to the first part of the 19th century.  The earliest know citation of the term comes from The Disowned, an 1829 novel by Bulwer-Lytton: "Yes, Sir, we have some luggage - came last night by the van."

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Origin of Phrases - V

 

Vanish Into Thin Air

Shakespeare was believed to be the first person to use the saying "thin air" (actually "thin Ayre") in The Tempest, where he was emphasizing the total disappearance of something.  However, a year earlier in 1609, Thomas Dekker wrote in The Guls Horne-book of "Plaudities, and the Breath of the great Beast, which (like the threatenings of two Cowards) vanish all into aire.

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Origin of Phrases - V

 

Vaudeville

This form of entertainment is named after Vau-de-Vire, the French valley that was home to Olivier Basselin, a popular 14th century composer.  Basselin's fast-moving satirical songs became famous in Paris then spread to English-speaking countries, which called  humorous compositions and any other collection of crown-pleasing short acts vaudeville.