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The words these authors have come up with to create their worlds have transcended fiction.

The phrase may seem recent, but it’s been around for a surprisingly long time.
Paul Anthony Jones|
With no word for ‘please,’ how do you keep it civil when traveling in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland?
Jessica Furseth|
The origins of the phrase (indirectly) involve smelly cabbage, Donald Duck, and several Canadian journalists.
Ellen Gutoskey|

Words

Jefferson’s tale of an encounter with a stranger sparked a saying that became pretty popular in the 19th century.
Paul Anthony Jones|
A little piglet named Billy Ray might have had something to do with it.
Jake Rossen|
Start sprinkling bumfuzzle, taradiddle, and collywobbles into everyday conversation—but maybe let quomodocunquizing rest in obsolescent peace where it belongs.
Cat DiStasio|
The answer involves World War I soldiers and a cute bird.
CaLea Johnson|
We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?
Ellen Gutoskey|
What do the terms “busser” and “busing a table” have to do with public transportation? Nothing, it turns out.
CaLea Johnson|
If linguistics is any indicator, it would appear that everybody in the spirit realm speaks Scots English.
Lucas Reilly|
We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?
Ellen Gutoskey|

Grammar

You know this rule, even if you don’t know you know it.
Michele Debczak|
Lots of languages have distinct plural forms for ‘you.’ Wouldn’t it be useful if English had one too? Spoiler alert: It does. Several, in fact.
Arika Okrent|
From the NASA mistake that made an interplanetary rocket explode to the bible with a very naughty misprint, these typos are an ode to proofreaders.
Jennifer M Wood|

Slang

Get the 411 on six-seven.

Names

Is your new pet’s name on this list?
CaLea Johnson|
If you’re looking for baby name inspiration, these titles have a strong sense of place.
CaLea Johnson|
If you need name inspiration for your own pup, take a cue from pet owners across the country.
CaLea Johnson|
Find out what names Americans were giving their babies in the year 2000, and how they compare to today's most popular names.
Ellen Gutoskey|

Best of Language

It can be shocking to realize that we are able to follow rules that no one ever taught us explicitly.
Arika Okrent|
English, the language of Shakespeare and the internet, is often touted for its flexibility and adaptability. But with great flexibility comes great inconsistenc
Brett Reynolds|
You're going to be astonished how many of these you hopefully already know, but I'm sharing them because many millions of people don't. It's not Aw-ree, for instance, it's ah-wry (awry)
Alvin Ward|
We’re taking Strunk and White and grammarians everywhere to task in the latest episode of The List Show.
mentalfloss .com|

Spelling

From the Vatican’s “Lesus” medal to Beanie Babies to the Civil War coins that declare “shoot him on the spoot.”
Arika Okrent|
English spelling can be frustrating and confusing, but there are things you can do to help make the task of getting it right more manageable.
Editorial Staff|
Would you recoil in terror if spell-check ever stopped working? Fear not: You're in good company.
Mark Mancini|

Pronunciation

Americans have a tough time figuring out how to correctly pronounce these words, from ‘açai’ to ‘tzatziki’ and beyond.
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