Skip to main content
Slang section header

Slang

The Latest



More From the Language Section


The phrase "turn over a new leaf" didn't originally refer to the kind of leaves you find on trees. Here's where it really comes from.
Paul Anthony Jones|
The origin of the phrase "steal someone's thunder" comes from an incident involving a stolen invention on the London stage in 1709.
Chelsea Thatcher|
Give your rhyming skills a whirl! See how many words that rhyme with "bed" you can list with this quiz.
Eden Gordon|
The "butterfly effect" may not mean exactly what you think. Here's the story behind the phrase's creation, along with an explanation of how it has become oversimplified in pop culture.
Eden Gordon|
These words all mean pirate, but their histories tell very different stories.
Paul Anthony Jones|
John Steinbeck's interpretation of the Hebrew word originally spelled 'timshol' has moved countless readers—and has also sparked debate among scholars.
Eden Gordon|
From 'patio' to 'canyon,' these common English words actually come from Spanish.
Eden Gordon|
Before it became everyday advice for staying alert, "keep your eye on the ball" had a much more literal origin. Here’s where the phrase really came from.
Paul Anthony Jones|