Namely, 25

NAMELY

eponyms (EP-uh-nimz)

words based on or derived from a person's name.

First Known Use: mid-19^th century

“What’s in a Name?”

Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, 2.2­­

25: nicotine: a toxic, addictive liquid found in the tobacco plant (from Jean Nicot, 1530?–1600, French diplomat; introduced snuff tobacco to the French royal court; first known use of word in 1817)

When I was young, I used to smoke—

Well, not too young (I do not joke)—

But back in college—ah, those days!—

I sometimes lived inside a haze.

I smoked a few years while I taught—

My early twenties (I was hot!*)—

But gave it up when I was wed—

No flames allowed in marriage bed!

It wasn’t hard, that quitting part.

So I was lucky from the start.

A smokeless dude for decades now—

And I’m relieved—relieved and how!

*a matter of opinion—mine