LANGUAGE

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?

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.

Have these terms on hand the next time you toot.

30 Different Ways to Say "Fart"

Over the course of history, the human race has come up with many delightfully creative ways to describe the act of breaking wind.

20 Sayings Only a Scot Would Understand

English might be Scotland’s official language, but the country also has distinct dialects and regional nuances. And understanding Scottish slang? That’s a whole other ballgame.

Quisby is just one insult from this list that you might want to start using.

43 Old English Insults

Next time you need to win an argument, try dropping one of these old-fashioned English insults.

11 Old-Timey Sayings We Should Bring Back

Why compare apples to oranges when you can compare them to oysters, instead?

This isn't as tough as the whole chicken-and-egg conundrum.

What Came First: The Color Orange or the Fruit?

The story behind which orange came first involves Arab trade routes and a bunch of old phrases that mean 'orange apple.'

Jive vs. Jibe vs. Gibe: What’s the Difference?

This information might not jibe with what you’ve heard before.

Use these delicious food words during your next feast.

23 Delicious Words and Phrases For Anyone Who Loves Their Food

Expand your vocabulary, as well as your Yule-hole, with these delectable words suitable for true gourmands.

Palate vs. Palette vs. Pallet: What’s the Difference?

Here are some mnemonic devices to help you master this triple homophonic whammy.

Know how to respond the next time someone tells you the bogus origins of the phrase 'bring home the bacon.'

12 Widely Repeated Phrase Origins, Debunked

The stories behind these phrase origins are amazing. Too bad they’re not true—and too bad they’re often repeated as fact. Here’s the real scoop behind the expressions.

When you're shopping at a flea market, have you ever stopped to wonder how it came by that name?

Why Are Flea Markets Called That?

It’s another in a long line of etymologies that doesn’t have one clear-cut answer, but a few plausible (and interesting) possible explanations.

You’re Probably Pronouncing ‘IKEA’ Wrong

The Swedish pronunciation of ‘IKEA’ is significantly different from what we say in the States.

The word 'lollipop' is more complicated that you think.

15 Words That Aren’t As Straightforward As They Look

Despite what you may have guessed, the "ham" in 'hamburger' doesn't mean meat. Here are 14 other words that might surprise you.

What Does “SOS” Stand For?

You know it's a distress signal, but what does it actually stand for? A lot of people think it's an abbreviation for “save our souls.” (It's not.)

Let's make moves and go to the National Aquarium!

17 Baltimore Slang Terms You Should Know

Charm City’s namesake charm could partially be due to the locals’ broad vocabulary of slang. Here are some terms you should know if you ever plan on visiting.

Get ready to step into the squared circle.

31 Pro Wrestling Slang Terms You Should Know

You don’t need to be a smark to appreciate these pro wrestling slang terms (but it might help).

Why Is It Called a ‘Cockpit’?

The flight deck has long been known by a peculiar term—one that probably has to do with roosters.

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

African descendants in the U.S. have been speaking varieties of English, today known as African American Language (AAL), for many centuries. Here's what you should know.

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