LANGUAGE

Why Does ‘Of Course’ Mean ‘Yes’?

‘Of course’ is one of the most versatile ‘yes’ synonyms we have. But what does it actually mean?

15 Dutch Slang Terms You Should Know

Knowing a bit of Dutch slang will not just help you find your bearings when you visit Amsterdam and its surroundings, but also earn you respect from the locals—who, despite being great at English, have a strong connection to their mother tongue.

Spoiler alert: This ladybug isn’t actually a bug.

What’s the Difference Between Bugs and Insects?

The difference between bugs and insects comes down to more than just semantics. Both terms have scientific definitions.

16 Charming Old-Fashioned Compliments

Here are a few charming, cute, and kooky kudos from the days of yore.

Is it possible to put a kiss into words?

How to Write the Sound of a Kiss

In English we have a few different ways to write the sound of a kiss: muah, smack, xxx. They get the idea across, but none of them imitate the actual sound of a kiss.

The Origins of the Phrase ‘Bee in Your Bonnet’

We’re all familiar with the feeling of having an idea or subject stuck in your head that makes it difficult to think about anything else. But why (and when) did we start comparing that experience to a bee buzzing around in your hat?

People who were up to no good should have been on the lookout for slops (police) who wanted to put them away for neves (seven years).

7 Fun and Fascinating Pieces of Back Slang

Back slang is kind of like a lexical puzzle that everyone from costermongers and criminals of the Victorian era to today’s Wordle fans can appreciate.

20 Weird Words for Bodily Ailments

Need a better word to describe what ails you? Look no further than this list of old, unusual ways to describe your aches, pains, and whatever else is happening in your body.

Why Is TV Called the ‘Boob Tube’?

When TVs became popular in the 20th century, some people started calling it ‘the tube.’ That nickname soon spawned an even catchier one: ‘the boob tube.’

Here's how to figure it out once and for all.

A Simple Trick for Remembering When To Use ‘Who’ vs. ‘Whom’

All you need for this easy grammar check is a couple of pronouns you already know how to use correctly.

Here’s how to nail the pluralization of your name—even if there’s a possessive involved.

To Apostrophe or Not to Apostrophe: How to Pluralize Your Last Name

Pluralizing a last name can seem confusing—and it gets even more confusing when you want to make a name both plural and possessive. Here’s how to correctly do both.

11 Successful (and Silly) Euphemisms for the F-Word

The f-word is often thought of as the most useful and flexible word in English. Whether that’s true or not, the term is so successful that it’s spawned dozens of euphemisms. Here are a few of them.

Bats are homographs, homophones, and homonyms.

Homonym vs. Homophone vs. Homograph: What’s the Difference?

Here’s why some homophone examples also work as homograph and homonym examples.

(From left to right) W.E.B. Du Bois, Che Guevara, and Empress Dowager Cixi.

15 Historical Figures’ Names You’re Probably Mispronouncing

Here’s how to pronounce ‘Elie Wiesel,’ ‘Cixi,’ and 13 other famous names from history.

‘Estás como una cabra’ means “you are like a goat.”

20 Spanish Idioms You’ll Love

If you want to take your Spanish to the next level (or el siguiente nivel), why not brush up on these idioms?

15 Commonly Misheard Phrases That Actually Make Sense

Is it coleslaw or cold slaw? Deep-seated or deep-seeded? There are right answers, but the wrong ones seem kind of right, too.

This kitten is experiencing awe in the traditional sense of the word.

19 Words That Used to Mean Something Negative

Sometimes words move up in the world. Their meanings change with time, becoming more positive—a process linguists call amelioration.

She's happy because she finally understands that she's lying down—not laying down.

Lay vs. Lie: When to Use Each

The ‘laying vs. lying’ situation is tricky—but direct objects can help.

Don't call this "barbecuing" in front of a pitmaster.

Barbecuing vs. Grilling: What’s the Difference?

Though they’re sometimes used interchangeably, grilling and barbecuing describe distinct methods of outdoor cooking.

6 Fascinating Facts About Geoffrey Chaucer

'The Canterbury Tales' author Geoffrey Chaucer's work spanned poetry and prose and ranged from the humorous to the scientific—but there's so much more to know about the "father of English poetry."

16 Old-Timey Insults For Modern Conversations

In this episode of The List Show, episode, we're breaking out some favorite old-timey insults that people should definitely start using again.

People really, really hate the word 'moist'—and researchers may have figured out why.

The Science Behind Why People Hate the Word ‘Moist’

You may think you detest the word ‘moist’ because of the way it sounds, but research indicates that that’s not the full story.

20 Atlanta Slang Terms You Should Know

Atlanta’s culture doesn’t just resonate to the suburbs—it hits every corner of the country. But there’s always a chance you could get caught off guard while visiting, so here’s a handy sampler of terms to know if you decide to hold it down in A-Town.

Submarine vs. Submersible: What’s the Difference?

There’s a reason nobody’s referring to the missing ‘Titanic’ submersible as a submarine.

PREV NEXT