Mark Peters

From ‘six-foot bungalow’ to ‘pine overcoat,’ there have been some creative euphemisms for coffins over the ages—and some terms that were surprisingly (and uncomfortably) direct.

Where did this bizarre word come from, and how has it changed over the centuries?

Popular theories involve pirates—and police.

Here are a few words for ignorant people you might want to add to your lexicon, from ‘wantwit’ to ‘dorkmunder’ to ‘ninnyhammer.’

The expression—which can be used for all things adorable—dates back to the early 20th century.

Suggestions for what to call the period of time from 2000–2009 ranged from ‘the nillies’ and ‘the oh-ohs’ to ‘the double zeroes’ and ‘the noughties.’ So how’d we land on ‘the aughts’?

Cricket chirps can reach 100 decibels. So why do we use them as a byword for ‘silence’?

It’s succinct enough to fit on a bumper sticker. But what did ‘knowledge is power’ originally mean?