Guy

One of those words that you probably use frequently without giving it much thought is "guys." But the origins of the word "guy" are actually quite explosive. "Remember, remember, November 5th." Those words immediately brought to mind the failed 1605 Gunpowder Plot, in which several conspirators attempted to blow up the House of Lords.

Even though Guy Fawkes wasn't the conspiracy's mastermind, he became its public face, to the point where people began setting fire to effigies of him to remember the failed plot. Every year on November 5th, individuals create hideous, ragged figures of Guy Fawkes and other controversial historical characters, which are then set ablaze during a fireworks show.

These effigies were given the name "guys," and as time went on, the term evolved to represent common, typically homeless, tattered people. It wasn't until the word was adopted in America that it lost its strongly negative connotation and took on a neutral meaning for all men.