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From hanging myths to Victorian thieves, the story behind "pulling your leg" is full of colorful theories—and very little certainty.
Words
The phrase "cold shoulder" first appears in a novel by Sir Walter Scott, but a popular legend holds that it may connect to a rather passive-aggressive dinner-hosting technique.
Why is an audio clip called a soundbite? The term dates to the 1970s and compares a short recording to a small bite taken from a larger whole.
Behind the pancakes and prosecco lies the origin of one of dining’s most over-the-top phrases.
Google search trends reveal the one word residents in each state just can’t seem to spell correctly.
The social media habit everyone criticizes but secretly understands.
Does this phrase really refer to narrowly avoiding being buried alive? Here's the truth about where "saved by the bell" comes from.
The reason why "throwing in the towel" means giving up is rooted in boxing.
"Bite the Dust" may actually have its roots in an ancient Greek text.
No, we’re not talking about “middle.” Here’s what the slang word “mid” means.
Spice up your vocabulary with these 15 words that end with ‘Q.’
From “xenon” to “xyst,” here are interesting and unusual words that start with the letter "X"—and what they actually mean.
This phrase was originally used to make fun of someone trying to do the impossible.
A popular legend claims that Leonardo da Vinci said he "offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have." But did he actually say this?
If you're wondering this, you probably are "unc"—but that may not be a bad thing.
From quaint curios to quietly useful terms, these 30 Q-words will help you quirk up your vocabulary and sound a little more…quintessentially interesting.
The popular slang insult "NPC" actually has its roots in Dungeons & Dragons.
Language gets livelier when you lean into these lilting "L" words!
We all know someone who nitpicks, but are they truly nitpicking in the literal sense?
The origins of the phrase "once in a blue moon" are rooted in an anti-Roman clergy pamphlet and a volcanic explosion in Indonesia.
These trailblazing female authors didn’t just shape literature—they expanded language.
More From the Language Section
Have you clocked it?
Find out how the Invasion of Normandy in 1944 came to be known as D-Day, and what the "D" stands for.
The popular motivational anecdote "burn the boats" or "burn the ships" is a reference to Hernán Cortés's conquest of the Aztec Empire—but there's one major issue with it.
"LARP" may not always mean what you think, as its meaning has changed a bit over the years.
Many states in the U.S. have Chinese and German as their third-most-spoken languages. See which U.S. states speak which languages with this map and data analysis.
Why do photographers say “cheese”? Explore the quirky global history and linguistic science behind the word that helps people smile for photos.
Looking back at the origins of “pick-me” and how the term has evolved.
The phrase “cat’s got your tongue” has inspired theories involving witches, sailors, and ancient Egyptians—but its true origins remain unclear.