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20 Words Merriam-Webster Is Adding to the Dictionary in 2021

Merriam-Webster added 455 terms to the dictionary in October 2021. Notable entries include 'dad bod,' 'super-spreader,' and 'fluffernutter.'

20 Words Merriam-Webster Is Adding to the Dictionary in 2021

Merriam-Webster added 455 terms to the dictionary in October 2021. Notable entries include 'dad bod,' 'super-spreader,' and 'fluffernutter.'

Reference these terms on your next ghost hunt.

15 Terms Every Ghost Hunter Should Know

From orb to ghost box, these are the terms to learn before embarking on a paranormal investigation—or binge-watching your favorite ghost-hunting show.

Netflix's global hit Squid Game is sparking an interest in the Korean language.

Netflix’s Squid Game Is Inspiring People to Learn Korean

In the two weeks after the debut of ‘Squid Game’ on Netflix, Duolingo reported a significant increase in new users learning Korean.

Jealousy vs. Envy: What’s the Difference?

The difference between jealousy and envy comes down to what’s motivating your feelings—but there’s often overlap.

America’s 25 Most Misspelled State Names (And Their Most Common Misspellings)

Googling “how to spell Hawaii” is a lot harder when you don’t know how to spell ‘Hawaii.’ But people are doing their best.

If you're writing a conditional statement, then you should use then.

Then vs. Than: When to Use Which

‘More than’ or ‘more then’ isn’t a matter of opinion. But there was a time when they were interchangeable.

Disinterested vs. Uninterested: What’s the Difference?

Should you use ‘disinterested’ or ‘uninterested’? It depends on the context, the era, and how much you care about the grammar sticklers in your life.

Where Do We Get the Term Spitting Image?

The figurative meaning of ‘spitting image’ couldn’t be clearer. The literal meaning depends on which linguist you ask.

Ajwad Creative (Speech Bubble), Martin Poole (kitten) /iStock via Getty Images Plus

10 International Idioms About Cats

It’s time to let the cat out of the bag: English isn’t alone in featuring cats in its idioms. In languages from all over the world, expressions of all kinds are enhanced by the mention of our feline friends.

Ajwad Creative (SPEECH BUBBLE); Crisfotolux (statue) // iStock via Getty Images Plus

20 Latin Insults You Should Know

Despite its reputation as a learned language of science, religion, and philosophy, ancient Latin was in fact a rough-and-ready language full of strikingly frank insults designed to cut to the bone.

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Why Do Performers Say 'Break a Leg'?

The tongue-in-cheek—and superstitious—saying "break a leg" has several possible origins in the theater world.

Hopefully this article will have a positive effect on your grammar skills.

Affect vs. Effect: How to Use Each Word Correctly

Affect or effect? These examples—and a grammar hack from TikTok—will help you remember the difference.

If you use the wrong one, you can always claim it was a typo.

Semicolon vs. Colon: When to Use Each One

Semicolon-versus-colon is one of the most fearsome face-offs in the grammar game. Here’s how to come out on top.

Insure vs. Ensure: What's the Difference?

Insure and ensure started out as alternate spellings of the same word, but today they have slightly different definitions.

"Kurtus Cobaenus" performing in Belgium in 1991.

Watch and Listen to Nirvana’s 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' Performed in Classical Latin

Calling all Latin teachers and classics scholars: this is the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” cover of your dreams.

She's ready to captivate her classmates with a rousing debate on each vs. every.

Each vs. Every: What’s the Difference?

There’s a reason why “Every of my feet” sounds so wrong, and why “Almost each foot” is equally weird.

"May I please use can when asking permission to do something?"

Can vs. May: When to Use Each Term

Many a teacher has reinforced the grammar rule that ‘may’ is for asking permission—not ‘can.’ But there’s a little more to it than that.

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Cookie vs. Biscuit: What's the Difference?

The UK has biscuits and the U.S. has cookies, but the difference between the two baked goods comes down to more than language.

The Most Distinctive Business Jargon Used in Each State

From ‘make hay’ to ‘peel the onion,’ here are the phrases each state’s corporate community just can’t quit.

What’s the Scratch in Made From Scratch?

Whoever started 'from scratch’ didn’t actually do it in the kitchen—and ‘scratch’ has nothing to do with clawing ingredients together with your bare hands.

Evan Peters and Kate Winslet in Mare of Easttown (2021).

Hot Wooder: The Philadelphia Accent Is In Danger of Disappearing Because of Millennials

Kate Winslet's Philadelphia accent in 'Mare of Easttown' could be a linguistic time capsule in a couple of decades.

MaryValery // iStock via Getty Images Plus

56 Delightfully Unusual Words for Everyday Things

From 'asportation' to 'nicknackatory' to 'yex,' these old, delightfully unusual words are ones you'll want to use regularly.

It would be hard to fit the world's longest place name onto this small sign.

The 10 Longest Place Names in the World

At 85 letters, New Zealand's Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatah is the world's longest place name.

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