ETYMOLOGY

Why Is Coffee Called a “Cup of Joe”?

There are many slang terms for coffee, but where does a “cup of joe“ come from? There are a few theories.

Definition Detective Quiz #27

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

How Did Latin America Get Its Name?

Latin isn’t widely spoken in Latin America, so why is it called that?

Why Are Potatoes Called “Spuds”?

We dig down to the root of the issue.

This stickler doesn’t like how people are using the word ‘phenomenal.’

9 Linguistic ‘Ignorantisms’ Even Sticklers Got Used To

Not even the strictest sticklers seem to care about how we use words like ‘abhorrent’ and ‘sodden’ anymore.

Why Did ‘The Ukraine’ Become Just ‘Ukraine’?

Until a few decades ago, Ukraine was almost always referred to as 'the Ukraine'. Then people started dropping the definite article, and now you almost never see it. Here's why.

Definition Detective Quiz #26

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

10 Word Pairs That Sound Like Opposites But Aren’t

Flammable vs. inflammable? Regardless vs. irregardless? Here are the linguistic explanations for 10 pairs of false antonyms.

Definition Detective Quiz #25

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

These words are the language of love (literally).

11 Words You Might Not Realize Come From ‘Love’

Whether it's bacteria, a city name, or a day of the week, love can be found in unexpected places—including our vocabulary.

Definition Detective Quiz #24

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

Why Do We Call the Country “the Boonies”?

We have the military to thank.

Definition Detective Quiz #23

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

12 Rare Old Words for Monsters

For the next time you encounter a sea serpent, a blood-sucking fiend, or a creepy cryptid.

Why Are Oft-Repeated Jokes or Stories Sometimes Called “Old Chestnuts”?

There are several theories as to where this phrase came from—and none of them involves the nuts.

Definition Detective Quiz #21

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

Definition Detective Quiz #20

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

What’s a wazoo, and why do we invoke it?

Why Do We Say “Up the Wazoo”?

On the possible origins of ‘wazoo,’ and why things are said to tumble out of it.

Where does the word 'poinsettia' come from, anyway?

The Origins of 13 Christmas Words

From worthless trinkets to misnamed chickens, here are the histories and etymologies of 13 Christmassy words.

Definition Detective Quiz #19

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

Definition Detective Quiz #18

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

Definition Detective Quiz #16

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

Fences have a little something to do with it.

Where Does the Phrase ‘Beyond the Pale’ Come From?

To get to the answer, we need to discuss Latin, wooden stakes, Catherine the Great, and, of course, Shakespeare.

7 Words We Rarely (or Never) Use Without Their Prefixes

Solving the etymological mysteries of 'innocent,' 'disgruntled,' and other prefix-dependent words.