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Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, and Frank Morgan promoting 'The Wizard of Oz'

How ‘Friend of Dorothy’ Became Code in the Gay Community

In the 1980s, the U.S. Navy carried out a futile search for the “real” Dorothy.

Why Is Depression Sometimes Called “The Black Dog”?

Everyone from lexicographer Samuel Johnson to Prime Minister Winston Churchill has used the phrase—but where does it come from? Why a black dog?

The Language That Each City Wants to Learn the Most, Mapped

New research from language website Wordtips has unveiled the top language choice of learners in almost every capital city in the world, providing unique and fascinating insight into global language learning.

Illustration Vikings arriving at Normandy in the 9th century, circa 1911.

21 Incredible Viking Insults

The Vikings had a lot of ways to call out people for being lazy.

Why are the backs of the lower legs called ‘calves’?

The Origins of 8 Oddly Named Body Parts

Humans share some of their body parts’ name origins with fish, cows, and dolls.

Why Does ‘Joshing’ Mean “Kidding Around”?

The word dates back to the mid-19th century, and has taken many forms.

Having second thoughts about not wearing socks.

Why Do We Say People Get ‘Cold Feet’ Before a Wedding?

Brides or grooms with second thoughts are said to have chilly extremities. The origin of the phrase has a little something to do with poker.

Albert Einstein is credited with more famous quotations than he actually came up with.

‘Definition of Insanity’: Did Albert Einstein Really Coin This Famous Phrase?

Is Einstein's definition of insanity world-famous or just a myth?

Queen Elizabeth II sometimes went by Sharon.

11 Royal Code Names

When she was trying to fly under the radar, Queen Elizabeth II went by the name ‘Sharon.’

What Is a Gift Horse, and Why Shouldn’t You Look Inside Its Mouth?

Not looking a gift horse in the mouth means being thankful for a gift, even if you secretly wished for something better—and it originated long before the invention of cars.

Quiz: Can You Guess What These Popular Brands Were Originally Called?

These iconic brands were almost called something else entirely. Can you figure out what it was?

Break out the dictionary and start counting.

How Many Words Are There in the English Language?

It’s complicated—and there are more questions than answers.

Why Is It Called a “Hamburger” If It Doesn’t Contain Ham?

Here's how the hamburger came by its misleading name.

Why Is It Called an “Elevator Pitch”?

A quick sales attempt is said to be an “elevator pitch.” But does it actually have anything to do with elevators?

Spies use slang to keep a lid on things.

Spy Slang: 24 Top Secret Terms You Should Know

Going undercover? Don’t forget your pocket litter, otherwise you might be targeted for some wet work.

Who doesn’t want to live, laugh, and love?

The Origin of the Phrase ‘Live, Laugh, Love’

A 1904 essay contest may be indirectly responsible for what's happened to your grandmother's dining room.

Why Do We Call Things “Hot Button” Issues?

The phrase dates back to the 1960s, and has more than one meaning.

10 Charming Chinese Idioms and Proverbs (and Their Origins)

From ghosts that eat tofu to an angry Buddha and beyond.

Matty Beniers of the Seattle Kraken, Alexis Lafreniere of the New York Rangers, and Travis Konecny of the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Origins of All 32 NHL Team Names

Ever wonder what a Canuck is? How about a Blue Jacket? Here's a breakdown of how all of the National Hockey League teams got their names.

The Delicious Origins of 18 Summer Fruit Names

Just as juicy as summer’s many berries, stone fruits, and melons are the far-flung, surprising, and often obscure origins of their names.

'IJBOL' (for 'I just burst out laughing') is an acronym. 'LMAO' is an initialism.

Acronym vs. Initialism: What’s the Difference?

Here's everything you need to know about the difference between acronyms, abbreviations, and initialisms.

An American flying fortress enacts a maneuver against Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands during World War II.

15 Unexpected Military Operation Codenames

Though there’s rarely a (public) explanation of why these weird codenames were assigned, that doesn’t make them any less amusing.

Princeton University's ivy-covered Nassau Hall, which dates back to 1756.

Why Is It Called the “Ivy League”?

Here’s the story of how the Ivy League got its name—and a list of all the schools that belong to it (including the informal “Ivy Plus” schools).

Patient portals unfortunately aren't yet of the teleportal variety.

Why Does ‘Stat’ Mean “Immediately”?

Here’s everything you ever wondered about ‘stat’: its meaning, its origins, and whether ER doctors really shout it all the time.

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