athlete – Derived from Greek athlon, “prize” or “contest”—which also gives us triathlon (etc.); it should be pronounced ATH-leet—with two syllables, not three. More…
cakewalk – Started out as a competitive dance whose winner got a cake as a prize. More…
premium – First meant “prize, reward.” More…
taking the cake – Once meant literally winning the prize of a cake, awarded in a cakewalk. More…