Mental Floss

WORDS



A Chicago-area family plays Scrabble, ca. 1952

Whether you’re a logophile or just enjoy casual wordplay, chances are you’re obsessed with Scrabble. Here’s what you should know about the game.

Erin McCarthy














Having to yell "Fore!" probably bodes ill for your score.

It all started with forecaddies … or the military. Either way, ‘fore’ is the most succinct way to say “You might be about to get hit by an errant golf ball.”

Ellen Gutoskey
What is a bye?

You’re not really wishing someone a good ‘bye.’ ‘Bye’ is just an abbreviation—and ‘good’ is sort of a mistake.

Ellen Gutoskey