Words beginning with "H" a. As a mineral, salt is known by this name b. A word meaning an extravagant exaggeration, such as "dying with laughter"

While you might just call it salt, the natural mineral form of sodium chloride is officially known as halite. Its name comes from the ancient Greek words "hals" (salt) and "lithos" (stone). This mineral is famous for forming perfect cubic crystals, a shape it maintains even at a microscopic level. Halite is an evaporite mineral, meaning it forms when bodies of saltwater, like inland seas and lakes, evaporate and leave behind vast deposits. These ancient salt beds are found worldwide and are the primary source for the salt we use to season food, preserve meat, and de-ice winter roads.

From the world of geology, we shift to the world of language for another powerful "H" word. Hyperbole is a figure of speech that involves intentional and often extravagant exaggeration for emphasis or effect. When someone exclaims they have a "ton of homework" or are "so hungry they could eat a horse," they are using hyperbole. The goal isn't to be taken literally, but to convey a strong feeling or create a vivid, memorable image. This literary device is common in poetry, fiction, and even everyday conversation to add humor or highlight a point. Its name also has Greek origins, stemming from a word meaning "excess" or "to throw beyond."