SLANG

Even this cricket wants to know the answer.

Why Do We Say “Crickets” When It’s Silent?

Cricket chirps can reach 100 decibels. So why do we use them as a byword for ‘silence’?

18 Spanish Insults and Curses You Should Know

Let’s hope no one tells you, “Eres tan feo/a qué hiciste llorar a una cebolla” on your next trip abroad.

13 Breakdancing Terms You Should Know

Study up on this breaking terminology so you know what you’re talking about you’re watching the sport at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Where Does the Word ‘Hoser’ Come From?

As brothers Bob and Doug McKenzie on ‘SCTV,’ actors Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas made ‘hoser’ popular—and there are plenty of theories about the word’s origin.

Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, and Frank Morgan promoting 'The Wizard of Oz'

How ‘Friend of Dorothy’ Became Code in the Gay Community

In the 1980s, the U.S. Navy carried out a futile search for the “real” Dorothy.

Why Does ‘Joshing’ Mean “Kidding Around”?

The word dates back to the mid-19th century, and has taken many forms.

Break out the dictionary and start counting.

How Many Words Are There in the English Language?

It’s complicated—and there are more questions than answers.

Why Is It Called an “Elevator Pitch”?

A quick sales attempt is said to be an “elevator pitch.” But does it actually have anything to do with elevators?

Spies use slang to keep a lid on things.

Spy Slang: 24 Top Secret Terms You Should Know

Going undercover? Don’t forget your pocket litter, otherwise you might be targeted for some wet work.

Did Humphrey Bogart Really Hog Joints? (And If Not, Why Do We Say ‘Bogart’?)

This weed slang originated in the 1960s and yep, you can thank Humphrey Bogart for it, but not for reasons you might expect.

America’s 10 Most Commonly Misunderstood Slang Terms

American slang terms can vary from state to state—these in particular are known to cause confusion.

George Washington went by a code name during the Revolutionary War. (And technically, he should be saying, “Hello, my 411 is 711”—411 was the code for “name.”)

12 Historical Code Words and Phrases

Asking a police officer “do you drink?” in the 1970s had nothing to do with grabbing a beer at a nearby bar.

A pixelated version of an illustration by Édouard-Henri Avril from the 1824 book ‘De figuris Veneris.’

The Research Error That Gave Us the Phrase ‘Missionary Position’

The origins of the phrase 'missionary position' involve Alfred Kinsey, some shoddy research, and zero actual missionaries.

Why Do We Call Hit Movies ‘Blockbusters’?

Before the word was used to describe hit movies, ‘blockbusters’ was a nickname for a highly destructive bomb.

Castilian vs. Latin American Spanish: 12 Words You Don’t Want to Confuse

‘Coger’ and the other terms on this list mean something very different in Spain than they do in other hispanophone countries.

Military Slang Terms: 11 Examples, Explained

The close quarters of those serving together in war is a perfect Petri dish for slang. From ‘FUBAR’ to ‘fobbit,’ here are some military slang terms you should know (plus, why the military uses so many acronyms, anyway).

Ah, the classic initialism for the classic phrase 'Pardon me, you must have mistaken me for someone who gives a damn.'

100 WTF Terms From the FBI’s 2014 Internet Slang Dictionary

The FBI’s 2014 list of internet acronyms and shorthand will have you LWP (laughing with passion).

Why Do We Call Kids “Rug Rats”?

It’s hardly the most complimentary turn of phrase, but rug rat has been a slang term for children for more than half a century.

Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright), once referred to as a "sweet summer child."

10 Common Phrases That Came From Pop Culture

From mullet to bucket list, these terms from pop culture are newer than you may have assumed.

Generation Alpha Slang: 10 Terms That Will Help You Show More Rizz

Discover the meanings and origins behind 10 of the most popular bits of Generation Alpha slang, from “skibidi” to “rizz” (and everything in between).

Which ones will you start using in conversation?

80 Weird Words and Phrases

If you’ve ever needed a word for a piece of bread eaten just after a bath, or a term for an unpleasant choice between three options, you’re in luck.

What the @%$!! is the oldest known curse word?

What‘s the Oldest Curse Word in English?

The four-letter words that still have the power to offend took a circuitous route out of our mouths and into our language.

Quiz: Can You Match the Victorian Slang Term to its Meaning?

Test your knowledge of Victorian slang with this quiz that’s bang up to the elephant.

Shakespeare is the source of a lot of words.

21 Words Created by Shakespeare (And 4 That Weren’t)

Shakespeare is the first known citation for over a thousand words and even more meanings—but new research occasionally shows that Shakespeare actually didn't originate some phrases, a trend that will likely continue over time.

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