The Right Way to Pronounce ‘Worcestershire Sauce’
What it is, why it’s called that, and how to say it correctly.
What it is, why it’s called that, and how to say it correctly.
The Arnold Schwarzenegger–starring Netflix series takes its title from World War II military slang. Here’s what 'fubar' means.
The words we use for family members in English are specific about some things, but vague about others. These words will help fill in the gaps.
Here’s the invisible etymology that turned Johns into Jacks.
We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?
Lemonade kickstarted the trend. But there’s more to the story than that.
We know brownie points are something we can earn with spouses or superiors. But where did the term come from?
We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?
Here’s a hint: It has a little something to do with hunting.
We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?
English came out on top by a large margin.
A knight throwing down his glove in Medieval Europe meant serious business.
At the most extreme, some forms of constrained writing are even more self-limiting and end up being very, very constrained indeed.
The etymology of the ironworking tool comes with a slight twist.
Discover the curious origins of America’s favorite ballpark snack and why it’s called a “hot dog” to begin with. (Spoiler: It doesn’t involve any literal dog meat.)
Their etymologies, unearthed.
We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?
Can you guess which word’s spelling your state needs to double-check?
We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?
The earliest Swiss Army knives weren't from Switzerland at all.
From famous musicians to literary landmarks to mythological figures—and beyond.
“Penelope Cholmondely raised her azure eyes from the crabbed scenario” is just the beginning.
One theory says it comes from an Irish word; another says we have the ancient Romans to thank. But the joke is on those theories, because the real story is more complicated than that.
Baseball’s score-keeping system is full of abbreviations, but why exactly is the letter ‘K’ synonymous with a ‘strikeout’? Discover more about the evolution of baseball terms like this here.