36. Don’t Be Hysterical

Hysteria is a word that’s been thrown around for centuries to describe everything from emotional outbursts to mysterious illnesses. But where did this word come from, and what makes it so darn catchy? Well, it turns out that hysteria actually has its roots in ancient Greek medicine. The Greek word “hystera” literally means uterus, and the Greeks believed that many of the emotional and physical ailments that women experienced were caused by a “wandering womb.”

Fast forward a few centuries, and the word hysteria has taken on a life of its own. It’s been used to describe everything from mass panic to “female hysteria,” a catch-all diagnosis for any woman who dared to express her emotions. So the next time you’re feeling a little bit hysterical, just remember that you’re part of a long and storied tradition of people who just can’t seem to keep their emotions in check – and that’s okay.