WORDS

10 Language Mistakes Kids Make That Are Actually Pretty Smart

These mistakes show that little kids know a lot more about the rules than we think.

Definition Detective Quiz #26

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

Where did this weather-related idiom come from?

Why Do We Say “Right as Rain”?

Where did this curious expression come from, and what’s so right about rain, anyway?

The names of all three of these folks have gotten the adjective treatment.

11 People Whose Names Became Adjectives

From David Lynch to Queen Elizabeth I, these folks achieved a type of lexical immortality when their names became adjectives.

“Gaslighting“ is the most commonly searched term in the U.S.

The Word Definitions Each Country Looks Up the Most, Mapped

If you’ve ever looked up the definition of “gaslighting,” you’re not alone.

Where Did the Saying ‘Stick Out Like a Sore Thumb’ Come From?

The phrase dates back to the 19th century, but it took a fictional 20th century detective to take its popularity to new heights.

10 Word Pairs That Sound Like Opposites But Aren’t

Flammable vs. inflammable? Regardless vs. irregardless? Here are the linguistic explanations for 10 pairs of false antonyms.

Why Do We Say That Love Makes People Go “Weak at the Knees”?

In honor of Valentine’s Day, discover the origins of the phrase ‘weak at the knees,’ including its ties to ancient Rome and even astrology.

Definition Detective Quiz #25

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

It was about modernization—and also politics.

Why the Letters Q, W, and X Were Once Illegal in Türkiye

Sometimes the letter of the law has tough things to say about, well, letters.

10 Offbeat Terms of Endearment From History

From 'chickabiddy,' to 'tootsicums,' these terms of endearment are more evocative than any garden-variety 'babe.'

These words are the language of love (literally).

11 Words You Might Not Realize Come From ‘Love’

Whether it's bacteria, a city name, or a day of the week, love can be found in unexpected places—including our vocabulary.

Can You Choose Correctly Between Two Commonly Confused Words?

These words are often mistaken for one another. See if you can break the cycle.

What Does the Ship Designation ‘SS’ Mean?

The initialism was originally a bit of shipbuilder marketing—and now there are many different kinds of ship designations.

Why Does ‘Zzz’ Mean Sleep?

How did we come to associate sleeping and snoring with the letter ‘Z’? The origins trace back farther than you might think but are tied to early 20th-century American comic strips.

Definition Detective Quiz #24

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

The Translation Mystery Behind Imagery of Moses With Horns

Here's why medieval artists loved putting horns on Moses.

If you say "main sail," some sailors might consider you an outsider.

10 Nautical Terms You Might Be Mispronouncing

From 'bowline' to 'topgallant,' these nautical terms don't sound how they look.

Is your bread presliced, your oven preheated, and your car pre-owned?

To Pre or Not to Pre: The Reason We Add ‘Pre’ Before So Many Words

The prefix ‘pre-’ often seems redundant—but it’s actually working hard to serve its purpose.

Why Do We Call the Country “the Boonies”?

We have the military to thank.

Why ‘Run’ Is The Most Complex Word in the English Language

This pithy word may only be three letters long, but it's deceptively complex. According to one lexicographer, it has 645 distinct definitions.

Definition Detective Quiz #23

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

12 Rare Old Words for Monsters

For the next time you encounter a sea serpent, a blood-sucking fiend, or a creepy cryptid.

The Reason Unmanned Aircraft are Called “Drones”

It has a little something to do with bees—a fact you can drop around the watercooler the next time your coworker says they spotted a mysterious drone in the sky.

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