WORDS

From Snoopy to Shark Bait: The Top Slang Word in Each State

There’s a minute, and then there’s a “hot minute.”

'Binge-watch' and More New Words Now Officially Recognized by the Oxford English Dictionary

And we're powerless to stop it.

Have You Heard? Trading Gossip Can Be Good for You

TMZ rejoices.

12 Different Ways to Say 'Doughnut' Across the U.S.

Celebrate National Doughnut Day with this regional slang for the tasty treat, brought to you by the Dictionary of Regional American English (DARE).

25 Facts About the Scripps National Spelling Bee

You may know how to spell “victory,” but here are 25 things you might not know about the country’s best-known gathering of logophiles.

Beyond Boaty McBoatface: 9 Public Naming Contests That Ended Badly

Should've seen it coming.

Google Translate Error Accidentally Insults Flat-Earthers

Oops.

From Camreigh to Kayzleigh: Parents Invented More Than 1000 New Baby Names Last Year

Eleven babies were named after Cersei of <em>Game of Thrones</em>.

8 Professional Translators Choose Their Favorite 'Untranslatable' Words

Literary translation is no small feat.

Why Are Small, Fancy Hats Called Fascinators?

The name may seem like a perfect fit for the eye-catching accessory, but it used to describe a much different type of headgear.

Do You 'Procrastibake'? You're Not Alone

Just because you're putting off work doesn't mean you can't be productive.

These Are the Most Popular Baby Names of 2017

After three years at the top, Noah came in second.

'Puggle,' 'Emoji,' and 298 Other New Words Added to Scrabble Dictionary

Add some new ammunition to your Scrabble arsenal.

9 Innocent-Sounding Words with Surprisingly Naughty Origins

These everyday words look and sound perfectly innocent, but they actually have questionable origins.

The Typo That Helped End World War II

One missing letter led to the Ministry of Defence accidentally hiring a seaweed expert instead of a codebreaker. Turns out that's just what they needed.

Photo illustration by Mental Floss. Images: iStock.

11 Things That Are Forbidden in British Parliament

Better not call anyone a "stoolpigeon."

17 Hilarious Definitions from Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary of the English Language was published 263 years ago this month.

The Literal Translation of Every Country's Name In One World Map

Welcome to the United States of Amerigo!

16 Tips From Famous Authors for Writing Better Poetry

The elusive art of poetry isn’t so hard to master if you know how to set the stage.

15 Antiquated Words for 'Happy' We Should Bring Back

Celebrate today's International Day of Happiness with these old-school words and phrases.

21 Phrases You Use Without Realizing You're Quoting William Shakespeare

An incredible number of lines from William Shakespeare's plays have become so ingrained in modern vernacular that we no longer recognize them as lines from plays at all.

'Embiggen,' a Made-Up Word from The Simpsons, Has Officially Landed in the Dictionary

"It's a perfectly cromulent word."

9 Untranslatable Words for Comfort That Go Beyond Hygge

Why doesn't English have a word for the joy of watching bad weather from the confines of a warm house?

Here's the Right Way to Pronounce Kitchenware Brand Le Creuset

If you were never quite sure how to pronounce the name of beloved French kitchenware brand Le Creuset, don't fret: For the longest time, southern chef, author, and PBS personality Vivian Howard wasn't sure either.

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