This Map Shows the Literal Translations of U.S. Place Names
From California to Boston, here are the literal translations of every American state and capital city name.
From California to Boston, here are the literal translations of every American state and capital city name.
Pigs were involved in piggyback rides lexically much more than literally.
From fold to flambé, here are the culinary terms every home cook should know.
You can always avoid the issue by spelling out “St. Patrick’s Day,” but here’s how to properly abbreviate it.
The popular piece of workout gear has a pretty insulting name, and it's all thanks to a poet and scholar.
Ever wonder how lasagne, vermicelli, and macaroni came to be? Dive into the history of some of the best pasta shapes and their cultural significance in Italy and beyond.
The origins of the term ‘box office’ will probably surprise you—it's more about box seats than those old-fashioned detached booths that look like glorified boxes.
Here’s everything you need to know about the meaning, origin, and evolution of the Irish word ‘craic.’
From ‘piece of cake’ to ‘the apple of my eye,’ these food-related phrases have fascinating histories.
Learn when to use historic vs. historical in English language. Find out the differences and similarities between the two terms.
Animals have always been important to the lives and livelihoods of humans, so it’s no wonder they've left a mark on language.
Want to add some old-timey charm to your Valentine’s Day? From ‘bughouse’ to ‘zippy,’ learn about romantic terms from eras past to surprise and delight your loved one.
Pepsi-Cola was named for two ingredients that it doesn't (and possibly never did) contain.
Uncover the intriguing history of how the seasons got their names and the meanings behind them.
When 16-inch-long tracks began popping up on northern California logging sites in 1958, workers dubbed the culprit ‘Big Foot’—but decades later, the whole thing was revealed to be a hoax.
From ‘alarm clock’ to ‘zozzled,’ these delightful 1920s terms will transport you back in time.
The idiom has little to do with playing with our food and more to do with equine diets.
From yuppie to headbanger, we have Generation X to thank for these terms that became popular in the 1980s and ’90s.
En français, the name for ‘jellyfish’ comes from a famous figure in Greek mythology—can you guess which one?
Opening a can of worms, metaphorically speaking, is trying to solve a problem and ending up in more trouble. And the idiom really does refer to actual worms.
Deciding to write 'disc' or 'disk' depends on what kind of disc it is. Sometimes.
Dumplings are a delicious staple that transcends borders, but how did these doughy delights rise to international fame?
The meaning of ‘Bah, humbug!’ is a little more layered than what people normally attribute to Ebenezer Scrooge of ‘A Christmas Carol.’
The ‘egg’ part of ‘eggnog’ is obvious. The ‘nog’ is a little more mysterious—possibly involving noggins and/or grog.