LANGUAGE

Definition Detective Quiz #38

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

Why Is It Called a “Swiss Army Knife”?

The earliest Swiss Army knives weren't from Switzerland at all.

12 Distant Places in the Solar System (And What They’re Named After)

From famous musicians to literary landmarks to mythological figures—and beyond.

Would You Have Passed This 1920s Pronunciation Test?

“Penelope Cholmondely raised her azure eyes from the crabbed scenario” is just the beginning.

Why Do We Say “Uncle” When Admitting Defeat?

One theory says it comes from an Irish word; another says we have the ancient Romans to thank. But the joke is on those theories, because the real story is more complicated than that.

Signs like this are a familiar sight to visiting teams.

Why Does ‘K’ Stand for ‘Strikeout’ in Baseball?

Baseball’s score-keeping system is full of abbreviations, but why exactly is the letter ‘K’ synonymous with a ‘strikeout’? Discover more about the evolution of baseball terms like this here.

Definition Detective Quiz #37

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

The rule has a little something to do with word order.

The Odd Grammar Rule Most English Speakers Know But Are Rarely Taught

You know this rule, even if you don’t know you know it.

Where Does the Expression ‘Pull Out All the Stops’ Come From?

‘Pulling out all the stops’ means that someone is holding nothing back and making every conceivable effort to do or accomplish something. But where did the phrase come from? Pipe organs have a little something to do with it.

Where Does the Expression ‘Put Your Foot in Your Mouth’ Come From?

Made an awkward blunder in a conversation? You might have just put your foot in your mouth. Learn more about the history and origins surrounding this commonly used phrase here.

And more importantly: Is it actually worth the higher cost?

Why Is It Called “Extra Virgin” Olive Oil?

You’ve seen that “extra virgin” olive oil label plenty of times at the grocery store. Ever stop and wonder what it actually means?

Definition Detective Quiz #36

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

Why Is It Called a “Duffel Bag”?

The duffel is perfect for weekend trips or cocaine smuggling. But why is it called a duffel?

The Dark History Behind the Phrase ‘Canary in the Coal Mine’

Any early warning sign can be a canary in a coal mine. But the original meaning was more specific.

Definition Detective Quiz #35

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

12 Things You Say Without Realizing You’re Quoting Poetry

If you’ve ever talked about “the birds and the bees” or referenced “the best laid plans of mice and men,” then you’ve inadvertently quoted some of the English language’s most famous poets.

‘Why, yes, I am from Long Island! How did you know?’

Do Animals Have Regional Accents?

Can a Boston dog bahk?

The Rarest Baby Name in Each State

Looking for inspiration? Discover the rarest baby names in the United States according to Go Au Pair, from Arizona’s Noname to Maine’s Winner.

Why Is Having a Good Time Called “Painting the Town Red”?

Henry de la Poer Beresford, the 3rd Marquis of Waterford, had a little something to do with it. Or did he?

Office-related buzzwords aren‘t helpful. They‘re just annoying.

Let’s Circle Back: The Most-Hated Office Jargon in 2025

Tired of corporate lingo? You‘re not alone. A new report breaks down which office phrases Americans wish would disappear for good.

Definition Detective Quiz #34

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

Why Is Easter Called “Easter”?

The origin of the word ‘Easter’ is linked to the ancient pagan goddess Ostara. But is she actually ancient?

Why Is a Tariff Called a “Tariff”?

This word has taken a long linguistic journey to get to where it is today.

'Le Défenseur' by Honoré Daumier, circa the 1860s.

6 Common Terms That Mean Something Different in Courtrooms

‘Toll,’ ‘information,’ and other legal terms you use all the time—just not the way lawyers do.