LANGUAGE

See if you can decipher this twisted tune.

Tune Twist Quiz #12

We ran the lyrics of a hit song through multiple languages, then translated them back into English. Can you figure out what the song is?

6 Words and Phrases Brought to You by Hollywood

You have Tinseltown to thank for phrases like ‘cut to the chase’ and ‘jump the shark.’

The Great Passive Voice Panic: Why Everyone (Even Grammar Experts) Gets It Wrong

Plus, a simple trick that will help you identify most true cases of the passive voice. (Hint: It involves zombies.)

11 Old-Timey Terms for Scarecrows

Would a scarecrow by any other name scare as many crows?

“And then, yada yada yada, I made a movie about Pop Tarts.”

Where Did ‘Yada Yada Yada’ Come From?

The ’90s catchphrase was made famous by ‘Seinfeld,’ but Jerry and company didn’t coin it.

Can You Fill In the Blanks and Figure Out the Word? #3

Can you figure out what the two missing letters are and type in the correct word?

The Surprising Origins of 25 Animal Names

From rabbits to butterflies, learn the surprising origins of these animal names.

Definition Detective Quiz #9

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

The Global Origins of Town Names in Every U.S. State (With Maps!)

There are lots of UK place names—and plenty of surprises in store.

6 Weird Ways the English Language Is Redundant

From phrasal verbs to loanwords, here's how English speakers repeat themselves without realizing it.

Graveyard vs. Cemetery: What’s the Difference?

Both are places where we bury the dearly departed, and the words are often used interchangeably. But that hasn’t always been the case.

Some of these presidents were well versed in October surprises.

Where Did the Term ‘October Surprise’ Originate?

Its political legacy began during the Iran hostage crisis, but other kinds of October surprises had been happening for decades.

Can You Fill In the Blanks and Figure Out the Word? #2

Can you deduce what letters are missing and figure out the word?

Merriam-Webster Adds ‘Beach Read,’ ‘IDGAF,’ and 24 More New Words to the Dictionary

Here are some highlights from Merriam-Webster’s latest slate of additions.

Definition Detective Quiz #8

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

17 Scary Sayings for ‘Ghost’ From Across the United States

This spooky season, be able to tell your bugaboos from your tommyknockers.

No apples were harmed in the popularizing of this phrase.

Where Does the Phrase ‘How Do You Like Them Apples’ Come From?

The phrase made famous by ‘Good Will Hunting’ is much older than the 1997 film—and doesn’t have anything to do with actual apples.

Can You Fill In the Blanks and Figure Out the Word? #1

Can you deduce what letters are missing and figure out the word?

The Most Translated Song from Every Country, Mapped

It’s not always the song you’d expect.

Definition Detective Quiz #7

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

‘B Dubs’: 10 Slang Terms for Popular Brand Names

Shoppers have been referring to Target as ‘tar-jay’ for over 60 years.

The crescent wrench has helped DIYers for decades.

Why Is It Called a “Crescent Wrench”?

A Swedish immigrant changed the face of wrenches forever.

The 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023

In honor of Banned Books Week, the ALA published its list of 2023’s most contentious titles.

The Surprising Origins of 5 Spooky Sayings

From ‘skeletons in the closet’ to ‘graveyard shift,’ here’s how five eerie idioms came to be.

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