Word Origins

Yesterday, while taking a guided tour of parts of London, I learned the origins of two local words.

Parliament was the name given to the group of leaders during the time when they all spoke French because William the Conqueror was French. They would meet and discuss or talk (in French it is 'parlez') about issues.

Westminster is the name of the area where all the government and power is in London. It began when one King decided to build a monestary (or minster) on the west bank of the Thames River - where at the time there was only swamp land. That is the location of Westminster Abbey today.