Did you ever say the phrase "eke out a living?"  

Ever wonder what the heck was an "eke?"

Turns out, it comes from an old English verb "eken" that has disappeared completely from our usage, except in this case where it has become fossilized in an idiomatic phrase.  It means to add, supplement or grow. Interestingly, it was also used in centuries past as a word for "additional name" or "eke - name," which through the years became pronounced "nickname," so it still lives with us in two places!