Word Discovery Suddenly Eureka Phrase People Refers Gold

The word "eureka" is an "interjection" (a word used to express surprise or emotion) used to happily announce a discovery, realization, or invention. It is related to a Greek word that means, "I have found it," and the use of the phrase is "attributed to" (said to be originated or started by) Archimedes, a "scholar" (person who studies to gain knowledge) in ancient Greece. When taking a bath, Archimedes became excited when he noticed that his body "displaced" (took the place of) water, causing the "water level" (height of the water) to "rise" (go up), which makes it possible to "accurately" (precisely; exactly) calculate the "volume" (how much space something takes up) of an object.

Now, people sometimes say "eureka!" when they make an exciting discovery or when something suddenly "makes sense" (has a clear meaning). "Eureka" is also the state "motto" (a word or phrase that represents the goals and values of an entity) of California, where it refers to the 1848 discovery of gold near Sutter's Mill, which "launched" (started) the "Gold Rush" (the period of time when many people went to California to look for gold in an effort to become rich; see English Café 310). In the U.S., there are at least 28 cities named Eureka, the largest of which is Eureka, California. There is also an academic institution called Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois.

The "eureka effect" refers to an experience commonly known as an "aha! moment," when someone suddenly realizes that he or she knows the answer to something, often when not "actively" (on purpose) thinking about it. For example, if you have been thinking about a problem all day, and then finally stop worrying about it and begin relaxing to try to fall asleep, the solution may suddenly "come to you" (appear in your mind).