LANGUAGE

What do you think these Anglo-Saxon warriors are talking about?

20 Brilliant Anglo-Saxon Words We Should Bring Back

Old English had a rich array of inventive and intriguing words, many of which have either long since dropped out of use or were replaced.

Norwegian moviegoers had no idea what they were in for with 'Airplane!' (1980).

Help! The Bizarre Way Norway Translated Foreign Movie Titles

If you wanted to market a comedy in Norway in the 1970s and 1980s, you needed the Hjelp formula.

Castilian vs. Latin American Spanish: 12 Words You Don’t Want to Confuse

‘Coger’ and the other terms on this list mean something very different in Spain than they do in other hispanophone countries.

Rawfords Mill near Huddersfield, Yorkshire, was a target of the Luddite movement.

The Luddite Movement’s Bloody Origins

The original Luddites were workers whose jobs were threatened by new technology—and who fought back.

The Most Common Last Name in Every Country, Mapped

The names were put into one of six different categories: ancestral, occupational, geographical, toponymic (or place name), personal characteristics, and patronage.

A 4000-year-old dog walks into a 4000-year-old bar ... / AevanStock, Master1307, and saoirse2013, via Shutterstock

9 of the World’s Oldest Jokes and Brainteasers

The oldest joke in recorded history is a fart joke that dates all the way back to 1900 BCE.

‘Burned’ vs. ‘Burnt’: What’s the Difference?

‘Burnt’ and ‘burned’ are both acceptable, but they serve different purposes (at least, they do in American English).

Military Slang Terms: 11 Examples, Explained

The close quarters of those serving together in war is a perfect Petri dish for slang. From ‘FUBAR’ to ‘fobbit,’ here are some military slang terms you should know (plus, why the military uses so many acronyms, anyway).

The origins of these animals’ names may surprise you.

How 20 Animals Got Their Names

‘Hippopotamus’ is Latin for “river-horse,” which makes sense for these semiaquatic mammals. The origins of some other animal names aren’t quite as literal.

Why Do We Call Kids “Rug Rats”?

It’s hardly the most complimentary turn of phrase, but rug rat has been a slang term for children for more than half a century.

Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright), once referred to as a "sweet summer child."

10 Common Phrases That Came From Pop Culture

From mullet to bucket list, these terms from pop culture are newer than you may have assumed.

We’re All Mispronouncing Mount Everest’s Name

George Everest gave his name, if not the pronunciation of it, to Mount Everest.

'Flash in the pan' doesn't mean a literal fire in a pan. But good guess.

Why Do We Call Something a “Flash in the Pan”?

The phrase used to describe a has-been reality star or trend originated on the battlefield.

Generation Alpha Slang: 10 Terms That Will Help You Show More Rizz

Discover the meanings and origins behind 10 of the most popular bits of Generation Alpha slang, from “skibidi” to “rizz” (and everything in between).

50 of the Most Legendary Viking Names

Drawing from Norse mythology, these classic Viking names are associated with strength, war, valor and lots of weaponry.

Which ones will you start using in conversation?

80 Weird Words and Phrases

If you’ve ever needed a word for a piece of bread eaten just after a bath, or a term for an unpleasant choice between three options, you’re in luck.

14 Surprising Facts About William Shakespeare

Despite his many contributions to English literature, surprisingly little is known about William Shakespeare's life. Here’s what we do know about the celebrated actor, poet, and playwright.

What the @%$!! is the oldest known curse word?

What‘s the Oldest Curse Word in English?

The four-letter words that still have the power to offend took a circuitous route out of our mouths and into our language.

This is no time to batten down the hatches.

16 Sailing Terms for Landlubbers

A handful of centuries-old sailing words remain known only to the saltiest of seamen, but some have become part of our everyday language.

Quiz: Can You Match the Victorian Slang Term to its Meaning?

Test your knowledge of Victorian slang with this quiz that’s bang up to the elephant.

The albatross visits the Mariner and his crew in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," as illustrated in 1876 by Gustave Doré.

The Meaning and Literary Origins of the Phrase ‘To Have an Albatross Around Your Neck’

‘Having an albatross around your neck’ means “facing an inescapable burden.” As for where the phrase originated, you can thank classic literature.

Antacids have a surprisingly rich history of catchy ad slogans.

11 Advertising Slogans That Became Famous Catchphrases

Discover the most memorable advertising slogans that stuck with us. How many have you uttered without even realizing it?

Why Do We Call It a “Rain Check”?

When we promise to honor a commitment, it's a "rain check." And yes, it originally had something to do with the weather.

Shakespeare is the source of a lot of words.

21 Words Created by Shakespeare (And 4 That Weren’t)

Shakespeare is the first known citation for over a thousand words and even more meanings—but new research occasionally shows that Shakespeare actually didn't originate some phrases, a trend that will likely continue over time.

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