TED-ED: Mysteries of vernacular: Jade - Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel

Jade, a green stone, was historically believed to have medicinal properties, especially for kidney disorders. In the 16th century, the Spanish brought jade to Europe, where it became popular as both a cure and an ornament. The French renamed it jade, a term still used today. In the 19th century, it was discovered that jade referred to two minerals: jadeite and nephrite. Additionally, jade has an English homonym, historically referring to a disreputable woman or a broken-down horse, unrelated to the gemstone.

What was jade believed to be effective in treating historically?

• Heart disorders

• Kidney disorders

• Lung infections

• Skin diseases

What did French mineralogists discover about jade in the 19th century?

• It consisted of two distinct minerals

• It was a single mineral

• It was not a mineral at all

• It was used only for decoration

What is the origin of the word 'nephrite'?

• Greek for kidney

• Spanish for green

• Latin for stone

• French for mineral

What did the word 'jade' historically refer to in English?

• A precious gemstone

• A type of tree

• A type of bird

• A disreputable woman or a broken-down horse

What does the word 'jaded' mean, and what is its origin?

• Strong; from the mineral's hardness

• Bright; from the color of jade

• Worn out; from the equine-related definition

• Enthusiastic; from the gemstone