30. Origin of the word “Amish”
When people think of the Amish, they think of what they may have seen on TV. Many famous celebrities have played Amish characters on the big screen, and an actress you may recognize is Kelly McGilles (pictured above) in the movie Witness with Harrison Ford. The origin of the word “Amish” actually comes from the name of Jakob Ammann, who was a Swiss Anabaptist in the Mennonite Church. He was a strong advocate for the literal interpretation of the Bible, which created a huge rift in the church. This sect that broke off eventually became what is today known as the Amish.