LANGUAGE

Technically this exact phrasing wasn't in play until the 20th century.

The Origins of 6 Classic Curse Words

Many bad words come and go, but these six have withstood the tests of time. Here’s how they came to be.

7 Sentences That Sound Bizarre But Are Still Grammatical

These sentences are sure to make you scratch your head.

Are these two kaylied up, or are they merely drinking dog’s water?

20 Delightful Slang Terms From the 1930s

These terms are sure to blow your wig.

British vs. English: What’s the Difference?

First, you have to understand the difference between England and Britain (and the UK, while we’re at it).

TV has slowly eased restrictions on strong language.

Bleep This: A Brief History of Profanity on Television

Whether scripted or spontaneous, expletives have been making their way on to the air for decades.

(Left to right) Oscar Isaac, Camila Cabello, and Gael García Bernal.

20 Spanish Names You’re Probably Mispronouncing

Here’s how to avoid bungling 20 commonly mispronounced Spanish names.

If you frequently misspell these words, you’re not alone.

100 of the Most Commonly Misspelled Words in the English Language

Don’t get embarrassed if you can’t spell ‘embarrass.’ It’s apparently—not ‘apparantly’—a pretty common error.

The way some words are spelled is downright bizarre.

11 Weirdly Spelled Words—And How They Got That Way

Ever wonder why there’s a ‘k’ in ‘knead,’ or a ‘d’ in ‘Wednesday’? While there isn’t always a good reason for why some English words are spelled the way they are, there are reasons.

Fewer vs. Less: When to Use Each

‘Less’ versus ‘fewer’ is pretty straightforward. ‘Less than’ vs. ‘fewer than’ is slightly less so. Here’s how to get it right every time.

Time Traveler’s Guide: Verb Tenses in 8 Languages From Around the World

If you've ever felt that English could use a couple more tenses to truly capture the nuances of the past, present, and future, this exploration of languages that have taken verb tenses to fascinating new heights is for you.

No Sh*t: People Who Swear More May Also Be More Honest, Study Says

No, we’re not f***ing lying.

Why Do We Like to 'Nip It in the Bud'?

The idiom goes back centuries. And no, it's not 'nipping it in the butt.'

Sometimes, the regular words you use to describe how you’re feeling just won’t do.

15 Obscure Words for Everyday Feelings and Emotions

There are plenty of obscure English words you can turn to when the current dictionary just isn't cutting it.

How to say “hello” (or something that roughly translates to a greeting) in five conlangs.

5 Fascinating Conlangs You Can Learn

A conlang is a constructed language, where someone has intentionally created its grammar, vocabulary, and phonology. Here are five you can learn.

Turn left for endurance, right for enthusiasm.

Hearty vs. Hardy: What’s the Difference?

You can’t spell ‘hearty’ without ‘heart,’ or ‘hardy’ without ‘hard.’

The Barbie exhibition at Paris Fashion Week in 2016.

The Class of 2041 Is Bound to Have Some Barbies and Kens

Are you thinking about naming your next baby ‘Barbie’? You’re not the only one.

15 Obscure Words That Are Pure Fire

The world is heating up, and things are often on fire—literally. As we do what we can to squelch the flames, check out some old and obscure words people of the past used when they wanted to talk about all things fire.

How many of these colors did you know about?

39 Colors You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

A vast vocabulary of words have been invented, borrowed, and accumulated over the centuries to describe almost every color and shade imaginable.

For Pete’s Sake—Who Is Pete?

‘For Pete’s sake’ originated around the early 20th century, but the Pete in question may have lived long before that.

Are There Any Synonyms for the Word ‘Synonym’?

The answer is a bit complicated.

17 Euphemisms for Sex From the 1800s

These 17 synonyms for sex earned a place in the ‘1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue.’

20 ASL Signs You Don’t Want to Mix Up

While your Deaf friends might get a good laugh when you accidentally sign “f**k you” instead of “thank you,” it’s still best to know the correct signs when interacting within the Deaf community.

You'd be surprised how many common tech terms get mispronounced.

The 20 Most Mispronounced Tech Terms May Surprise You

Discover the most commonly mispronounced tech terms and brand names, and settle once and for all whether it’s ”jif or ”gif.”

10 Brilliant Facts About Braille

Invented by Louis Braille in 1824, the tactile braille system has helped blind people read and write for nearly 200 years.

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