Words

‘Of course’ is one of the most versatile ‘yes’ synonyms we have. But what does it actually mean?

Knowing a bit of Dutch slang will not just help you find your bearings when you visit Amsterdam and its surroundings, but also earn you respect from the locals—who, despite being great at English, have a strong connection to their mother tongue.

Spoiler alert: This ladybug isn’t actually a bug.

The difference between bugs and insects comes down to more than just semantics. Both terms have scientific definitions.

Here are a few charming, cute, and kooky kudos from the days of yore.

We’re all familiar with the feeling of having an idea or subject stuck in your head that makes it difficult to think about anything else. But why (and when) did we start comparing that experience to a bee buzzing around in your hat?

People who were up to no good should have been on the lookout for slops (police) who wanted to put them away for neves (seven years).

Back slang is kind of like a lexical puzzle that everyone from costermongers and criminals of the Victorian era to today’s Wordle fans can appreciate.

Need a better word to describe what ails you? Look no further than this list of old, unusual ways to describe your aches, pains, and whatever else is happening in your body.

When TVs became popular in the 20th century, some people started calling it ‘the tube.’ That nickname soon spawned an even catchier one: ‘the boob tube.’

Here's how to figure it out once and for all.

All you need for this easy grammar check is a couple of pronouns you already know how to use correctly.

Here’s how to nail the pluralization of your name—even if there’s a possessive involved.

Pluralizing a last name can seem confusing—and it gets even more confusing when you want to make a name both plural and possessive. Here’s how to correctly do both.

The f-word is often thought of as the most useful and flexible word in English. Whether that’s true or not, the term is so successful that it’s spawned dozens of euphemisms. Here are a few of them.

Bats are homographs, homophones, and homonyms.

Here’s why some homophone examples also work as homograph and homonym examples.

‘Estás como una cabra’ means “you are like a goat.”

If you want to take your Spanish to the next level (or el siguiente nivel), why not brush up on these idioms?

Is it coleslaw or cold slaw? Deep-seated or deep-seeded? There are right answers, but the wrong ones seem kind of right, too.

This kitten is experiencing awe in the traditional sense of the word.

Sometimes words move up in the world. Their meanings change with time, becoming more positive—a process linguists call amelioration.

She's happy because she finally understands that she's lying down—not laying down.

The ‘laying vs. lying’ situation is tricky—but direct objects can help.

Don't call this "barbecuing" in front of a pitmaster.

Though they’re sometimes used interchangeably, grilling and barbecuing describe distinct methods of outdoor cooking.

New York Yankee Domingo Germán pitching a perfect game against the Oakland A's on June 28, 2023.

The perfect game is to a baseball pitcher what Moby-Dick was to Captain Ahab.

In this episode of The List Show, episode, we're breaking out some favorite old-timey insults that people should definitely start using again.

You probably shouldn’t do it—unless there really is a fire.

Back in 1919, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. sort of made it seem like it was against the law to yell “fire“ while in a crowded theater, so we understand if you’re confused.

People really, really hate the word 'moist'—and researchers may have figured out why.

You may think you detest the word ‘moist’ because of the way it sounds, but research indicates that that’s not the full story.

The definition of ‘phobia’ is similar to that of ‘fear’—but there’s a big difference in the threat level.

Atlanta’s culture doesn’t just resonate to the suburbs—it hits every corner of the country. But there’s always a chance you could get caught off guard while visiting, so here’s a handy sampler of terms to know if you decide to hold it down in A-Town.

There’s a reason nobody’s referring to the missing ‘Titanic’ submersible as a submarine.

Why Does ‘Of Course’ Mean ‘Yes’?

15 Dutch Slang Terms You Should Know

What’s the Difference Between Bugs and Insects?

16 Charming Old-Fashioned Compliments

The Origins of the Phrase ‘Bee in Your Bonnet’

7 Fun and Fascinating Pieces of Back Slang

20 Weird Words for Bodily Ailments

Why Is TV Called the ‘Boob Tube’?

A Simple Trick for Remembering When To Use ‘Who’ vs. ‘Whom’

To Apostrophe or Not to Apostrophe: How to Pluralize Your Last Name

11 Successful (and Silly) Euphemisms for the F-Word

Homonym vs. Homophone vs. Homograph: What’s the Difference?

20 Spanish Idioms You’ll Love

15 Commonly Misheard Phrases That Actually Make Sense

19 Words That Used to Mean Something Negative

Lay vs. Lie: When to Use Each

Barbecuing vs. Grilling: What’s the Difference?

Perfect Game vs. No-Hitter vs. Shutout: What’s the Difference?

16 Old-Timey Insults For Modern Conversations

Is It Illegal to Falsely Shout 'Fire' in a Crowded Theater?

The Science Behind Why People Hate the Word ‘Moist’

Fear vs. Phobia: What’s the Difference?

20 Atlanta Slang Terms You Should Know

Submarine vs. Submersible: What’s the Difference?