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The Fascinating Origin Stories and Etymologies Behind 70 Common Words

A 19th-century painting of Paradise Lost's Pandemonium by John Martin.

The Fascinating Origin Stories and Etymologies Behind 70 Common Words

The 20 Most Spoken Languages in the World

How many languages can you identify?

The 20 Most Spoken Languages in the World

Cookie vs. Biscuit: What's the Difference?

Peter Carruthers/iStock via Getty Images

Cookie vs. Biscuit: What's the Difference?

Where Did the Term Up to Snuff Originate?

A modern-day tin of snuff.

Where Did the Term Up to Snuff Originate?

The Most Distinctive Business Jargon Used in Each State

"Move what needle?"

15 Wonderful Words for Delightful Experiences

Pull up this list when you find yourself short of words.

What’s the Scratch in Made From Scratch?

Ain't no shame in the boxed mix game.

4 Subtle Changes to English That People Hardly Notice

SpicyTruffel // iStock via Getty Images Plus

Hot Wooder: The Philadelphia Accent Is In Danger of Disappearing Because of Millennials

Evan Peters and Kate Winslet in Mare of Easttown (2021).

56 Delightfully Unusual Words for Everyday Things

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10 Latin Phrases People Pretend to Understand

What does this Latin phrase have to do with salad dressing?

The 10 Longest Place Names in the World

It would be hard to fit the world's longest place name onto this small sign.

Can You Spot All the Hidden Sayings in This 450-Year-Old Painting?

Wikimedia Commons

18 Fancy Words for Specific Shapes

Use anguilloform to describe something eel-shaped.

11 Grammar Lessons From a Leaked CIA Style Book

"Accidentally misfired" and "young baby" are redundant terms that should not be used.

Why Do We Call Hit Movies Blockbusters?

andresr/iStock via Getty Images