DYK? The word "dumbbell" is a compound of the words "dumb" and "bell" which originally just meant a bell that didn't make any noise. Dumb bells were first used to train novices church bell ringers on how to sound the intrument properly without annoying parishers and passerbys.

The connection between dumb bells and exercise showed up as early as 1711. Back then, you rung church bells by yanking on a long rope and in the process, drew your body from the extended to crouched position, an ecclesiastic version of "the squat." Nowadays, church bells are played via a keyboard, as part of an intrument called a carillon. The players are no longer referred to as ringers, dumbbells, first generation gym bunnies or Quasimodo but rather "carillonneurs."

Back to exercise: Contemporary dumb bells are thought to have received their shape from the handbell instrument like so...

Which here look like a fine way to strengthen the wrists. Turned on its side, though, and you're ready for bicep curls.

(via the wonderful endlessly addictive Podictionary).