LANGUAGE

Don't worry—you're not the only one who finds the definitions of these words hard to remember.

10 Words With Difficult-to-Remember Meanings

Sometimes there are words that you've seen, read, and maybe even used in conversation whose meaning you can never keep straight.

Work these greetings into conversations.

20 Terrific Alternatives to “Hello”

Why be boring when there are so many other ways to greet a person and forge a unique connection?

17 Terms That Just Got Added to the Oxford English Dictionary

The Oxford English Dictionary is here to help you learn the nuanced meaning of ‘deepfake.’

The 10 Hardest Words to Spell, According to Google

Googling how to spell ‘restaurant’ is nothing to be ashamed of.

'Equity' and 'equality' are not quite the same.

What’s the Difference Between Equity and Equality?

The dictionary definition of ‘equity’ seems similar to that of ‘equality,’ but there’s an important distinction between the two.

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jane Austen, James Joyce, and Charlotte Bronte all used 'literally' in a figurative sense.

The Long History of the Figurative 'Literally'—and 8 Great Writers Who Used It

From Austen to Dickens and beyond, famous authors have had no problem with using the word 'literally' in a figurative sense.

A sign in Irish on Achill Island in Ireland.

8 Fun Facts About the Irish Language

You may hear an "Erin go bragh" or two, but even on the most Irish of holidays, we don't hear much of the Irish language—which is a shame.

This dog thinks it's spelled "St. Patty's Day." We'll let it slide.

St. Patty’s Day vs. St. Paddy’s Day: Which Is Correct?

You can always avoid the issue by spelling out “St. Patrick’s Day,” but here’s how to properly abbreviate it.

If someone were to mention the word 'Fartulum' to you, a snail probably wouldn't be the first thing that came to mind.

11 Naughty-Sounding Scientific Names (and What They Really Mean)

Perfectly innocent Latin or Greekisms that just happen to sound like something else.

Silent letters are a clue to how words entered English.

15 Words Plagued by Unusual Silent Letters

Silent letters are the scourge of spellers and a stumbling block when learning how to write in English—but they're often hidden remnants of how the words passed through different languages on their way to English.

This is counsel in multiple senses of the word.

Council vs. Counsel: What’s the Difference?

It’s the Council of Elrond, not the Counsel of Elrond (though counsel was definitely given during proceedings).

‘Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire’ by Russell Patterson.

16 Hotsy-Totsy Slang Terms From the 1920s

The Roaring Twenties were filled with pioneering advances of all kinds. They were also filled with terms like ‘gazump.’

Identify whether you're feeling angst, ennui, or weltschmerz with this handy guide.

How to Tell Whether You've Got Angst, Ennui, or Weltschmerz

English never hesitates to borrow words that would lose certain subtleties in translation, and angst, ennui, and weltschmerz have made their way into English by offering a little something extra.

Curd Your Enthusiasm: Maine Bans Vegan’s “LUVTOFU” License Plate

Was he really just referencing bean curd? The proof is in the multiple tofu-centric bumper stickers on his car.

The Most Popular Gen Z Slang Term in Each State, Mapped

From boomer to basic, this map shows the most popular Gen Z slang terms by state.

Call a bout of spontaneous, uproarious, unrestrained laughter 'cachinnation.'

The Proper Names of 17 Bodily Functions

The next time you interrupt an important meeting with a ructus or a borborygmus, you’ll at least have the perfect word for it.

Irish has a name for grizzly bear, even if the bears don't inhabit the country.

10 Delightfully Descriptive Irish Animal Names

The Irish language is full of evocative names for aspects of the natural environment, and wildlife is no exception.

Pink Trombone is an simulator that simulates how speech is made.

Play With An Odd Voice Simulator That Mimics How Your Mouth Creates Sound

How many sounds can you figure out how to make?

Why Is It Called “Corned Beef” If It Doesn’t Contain Corn?

Corned beef and cabbage has beef, cabbage, and not a speck of corn. What gives?

Left to right: Cillian Murphy, Saoirse Ronan, and Domhnall Gleeson.

25 Irish Names You’re Probably Mispronouncing

Learn how to pronounce ‘Saoirse’ and ‘Cillian’ so you don’t have to live in fear of making a fool of yourself in front of Saoirse Ronan or Cillian Murphy.

Now that spring is upon us, incorporate these seasonal words into your vocabulary

18 Words to Welcome Spring

Unless we have some winnol-weather or lamb-blasts on the way, it seems spring is finally coming.

6 Severe Weather Terms to Know Ahead of Spring Storms

Knowing the difference between these common terms can bolster your safety in severe weather.

When a South Texas County Changed Its Official Greeting From ‘Hello’ to ‘Heaven-o’

Leonso Canales Jr. was sick of raising ‘hell’ every time he answered the phone.

83 Old Slang Phrases We Should Bring Back

History is full of fun, fascinating old school slang terms that are well overdue for a comeback.