WORDS

‘Boo’ didn’t originate as a ghostly saying.

Why Do Ghosts Say “Boo”?

If linguistics is any indicator, it would appear that everybody in the spirit realm speaks Scots English.

10 Baby Name Trends for 2025, According to Nameberry

The trends range from “fast fashion” to “baby names, literally” and beyond.

Definition Detective Quiz #11

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

Why Are Some Liquors Called “Spirits”?

One theory suggests that we call liquor “spirits” because of alcohol’s association with one spirit in particular: the Holy Spirit. But there are other possible origins.

Why Is It Called a “Monkey Wrench”?

The heavy-duty tool is said to be the work of a man named Moncke. Or was it Moncay?

Can You Fill In the Blanks and Figure Out the Word? #4

It’s as easy as filling in the blanks—or not so easy, as the case may be. Can you solve the puzzle?

Definition Detective Quiz #10

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

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?

Looks like she's reading a novel, not a novella.

Novella vs. Short Story: What’s the Difference?

As Stephen King once said, novellas are “too long to be short and too short to be really long.”

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?