![You ‘aught’ to know the answer of this question. You ‘aught’ to know the answer of this question.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3840,h_2160,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/mentalfloss/01j2yktfgcfczedddk6a.jpg)
![Mark Peters Mark Peters](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_180,ar_1:1,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/image_(1)-08ff080d94d4a7e94a5b940aec1028b8.png)
Mark Peters
Joined: Apr 13, 2015
Mark Peters is the author of Bullshit: A Lexicon (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/258562/bullshit-by-mark-peters/) and a cartoonist on Instagram at @markpeterstoons.
![You ‘aught’ to know the answer of this question. You ‘aught’ to know the answer of this question.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3840,h_2160,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/mentalfloss/01j2yktfgcfczedddk6a.jpg)
![Even this cricket wants to know the answer. Even this cricket wants to know the answer.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3838,h_2158,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/mentalfloss/01j1gb154pjdwj2t3j4s.jpg)
Why Do We Say “Crickets” When It’s Silent?
![Smart guy Francis Bacon. Smart guy Francis Bacon.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2500,h_1406,x_0,y_94/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/mentalfloss/01j1sw2qnss279p8zyqw.jpg)
Knowledge Is Power: A Brief History of the Philosophical Phrase
![Freeze! Freeze!](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3838,h_2158,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/mentalfloss/01j1czgd0cbhpaydt46n.jpg)
13 Breakdancing Terms You Should Know
Why is a ‘Square Deal’ Square?
Theodore Roosevelt called his domestic agenda of 1903 a ‘square deal.’ Let’s dig into the origins of the famous phrase.
Why Does ‘Joshing’ Mean “Kidding Around”?
The word dates back to the mid-19th century, and has taken many forms.
Why Do We Call Things “Hot Button” Issues?
The phrase dates back to the 1960s, and has more than one meaning.
What Does the Phrase ‘Keep It Under Your Hat’ Mean?
The phrase has evolved somewhat since its first uses—and its origin is something of a mystery.
Military Slang Terms: 11 Examples, Explained
The close quarters of those serving together in war is a perfect Petri dish for slang. From ‘FUBAR’ to ‘fobbit,’ here are some military slang terms you should know (plus, why the military uses so many acronyms, anyway).
Synonyms for ‘Cool’: 21 Rad Slang Terms You Should Know
Enjoy this list of synonyms for ‘cool’ in the sense of “awesome, excellent, neato, super-duper.” They’re dope.
22 Slang Terms for Money
Explore the colorful world of slang terms for money, from ‘bacon’ to ‘moolah’ and beyond.
16 Funny Slang Terms for Children
Looking for new ways to describe the children in your life? From ankle-biters and saucepan lids to breadsnatchers and drape apes, these are funny slang terms for kids you’ll definitely want to use.
13 Cockney Rhyming Slang Terms You Should Know
Grab your best china plate (a.k.a. mate) and feast your mince pies (otherwise known as your eyes) on these fascinating and delightful terms in this guide to Cockney rhyming slang.
‘Tableclothwise,’ ‘Parrotwise,’ and 10 Other ‘-Wise’ Words That Never Caught On
You think you’ve seen every category of words … then you find this batch, including such oddities as tableclothwise and rabbitwise.
13 Old and Obscure Terms for the Butt
When talking about the fundament, some terms have slipped through the crack of lexical history—so please enjoy these old and enjoyable terms for the hindquarters.
A Higgledy-Piggledy Look at 12 Rare Reduplicative Words
Though these words sound like fiddle-faddle, they have specific uses that go beyond yada yada and twittle-twattle.