language - Trivia, Quizzes, and Brain Teasers | Mental Floss

Where Did the Phrase 'Fall Off the Wagon' Originate?

This man does not appear to be occupying a wagon.

Where Did the Phrase 'Fall Off the Wagon' Originate?

10 Things To Know About African American Language

African American English derives from a historical past of contact between multiple language speakers. It varies across age, ethnicity, class, and gender. There is more than one AAE.

10 Things To Know About African American Language

When to Use Nor

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

When to Use Nor

What's the Difference Between Buzzards and Vultures?

Julia Craice, Unsplash

What's the Difference Between Buzzards and Vultures?

7 Unexplained Mysteries From the World of Science

An aerial view of the mysterious Patom crater in Siberia.

20 Excellent Words Coined in the Last 20 Years

The figurative meaning of the term dumpster fire dates back to 2008.

14 Scots Words from the Works of Robert Burns

Portrait of Robert Burns, painted by Alexander Nasmyth.

Titular vs. Eponymous: What’s the Difference?

Miranda is an important character in Shakespeare's The Tempest, but she's not the titular role.

Capital vs. Capitol

ctj71081, Flickr // CC BY 2.0

11 Words That Don't Mean What They Sound Like

Image by Orna Wachman from Pixabay

Why Are Marines Called 'Jarheads'?

Why are Marines known as jarheads? The answer may have something to do with mules.

11 Products to Start Your New Year’s Resolution On a Positive Note

NutriBullet/Amazon

What's the Origin of 'Let the Cat Out of the Bag'?

Photo by Ben Wogl on Unsplash

The Right Way to Pronounce Açaí

Açaí berries are delicious. They're also hard to pronounce.

What’s the Difference Between a Fact and a Factoid?

WordArt.com

The Unappetizing Origins of 'The Proof Is in the Pudding'

It's not this kind of pudding.