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From 'patio' to 'canyon,' these common English words actually come from Spanish.
Words
From bonnie to bairn, these Scottish words will have you speaking like a Highlander in no time!
Visions inspired the legendary abbess Hildegard von Bingen to create the Lingua Ignota, the world's oldest documented constructed language. The purpose behind it remains a mystery.
Agatha Christie had her own favorite mysteries—and a few she couldn't stand. Discover the Christie books she loved most and the ones she wished readers would stop recommending.
The history of the phrase "Don't cry over spilled milk" is a bit murky, but when to use it is clear.
Discover the Civil War origin behind the phrase "hold the fort," from General Sherman’s battle signals to popular gospel hymns.
A German educator in the 1800s compared children to plants, and kindergarten was born!
How an irritating acquaintance became shorthand for a computer glitch.
The term "suffragette" originated to belittle a group of women's rights activists who used more aggressive, sometimes violent tactics than typical suffragists.
Where the phrase came from and what it really means.
Most people believe the phrase "close, but no cigar" comes from a fairground tradition, but a paper trail reveals something stranger.
Discover where the phrase “back to the grind” came from, and how “grind” went from college slang for hard work to an everyday expression.
Stuck on today's Wordle puzzle? Discover essential 5-letter words starting with 'E' to keep your winning streak alive and secure today's answer.
From "across the board" to "hedge your bets," these phrases have their roots in blackjack, horse racing, and more.
Is lychee pronounced "lie-chee" or "lee-chee"? Learn why both pronunciations are correct and how the fruit’s Chinese origins shaped the word in English.
You speak more French than you think—probably before breakfast. Discover 12 words you might not have realized have French origins.
The origins of the animal-inspired idiom.
Long before it described cathedral arches, spooky novels, or head-to-toe black clothing, calling something "Gothic" was a major insult. Here is how Renaissance art critics turned a Germanic tribe’s name into a centuries-long slur.
Ever wonder why we say "o'clock"? Discover the medieval origin of the phrase, how mechanical clocks changed timekeeping, and why the contraction stuck.
Look into the history of the word “gnocchi” and learn the many different ways to pronounce it.
Hundreds of years after this Italian explorer was born, we were shouting his name across the pool—but why?
More From the Language Section
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.
One boy’s name and one girl’s name claimed the top spots the year you were born.
The name "Qatar" for the Middle-Eastern country is pronounced very differently in Arabic than in English.
Ever wondered why a secret advantage is called an "ace in the hole"? Discover the 19th-century poker origins behind this iconic idiom.
The name doesn’t come from the canned meat, but a ‘Monty Python’ sketch about the canned meat.
We can all thank the renowned playwright for livening up our vocabulary into the 21st century!
These common words and phrases came directly from the era of flapper fashion and short-lived prohibition.
More than a few of your favorite expressions might have originated on the high seas. From "bottoms up" to "slush fund," these terms originated among pirates and sailors.