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Why Is Having a Good Time Called “Painting the Town Red”?
Henry de la Poer Beresford, the 3rd Marquis of Waterford, had a little something to do with it. Or did he?
LANGUAGE
Let’s Circle Back: The Most-Hated Office Jargon in 2025
Tired of corporate lingo? You‘re not alone. A new report breaks down which office phrases Americans wish would disappear for good.
Definition Detective Quiz #34
We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?
Why Is Easter Called “Easter”?
The origin of the word ‘Easter’ is linked to the ancient pagan goddess Ostara. But is she actually ancient?
Why Is a Tariff Called a “Tariff”?
This word has taken a long linguistic journey to get to where it is today.
6 Common Terms That Mean Something Different in Courtrooms
‘Toll,’ ‘information,’ and other legal terms you use all the time—just not the way lawyers do.
Why Do We Call a Dollar a “Buck”?
Everyone knows a buck means a dollar. But not everyone knows why.
Why Do Cowboys Say “Yee-Haw”?
Even though it’s a classic cowboy trope, you have to wonder: Did cowboys actually say that popular phrase?
23 Hipster Baby Name Ideas From the Dictionary of Medieval Names
Stand out from all the Noras and the Liams out there by choosing a medieval name like Hainfroy or Queniva.
What’s the Difference Between a Bull and a Bear Market?
The economic terms get tossed around a lot these days, but one market is clearly better for investors.
Definition Detective Quiz #33
We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?
11 Suffixes That Gave Us New (And Often Terrible) Words
Here are some word endings that have become productive to varying degrees.
The Peppy ’80s Song “Vamos a la Playa” Was Actually About Nuclear War
The lyric “Vamos a la playa, todos con sombrero / El viento radiactivo, despeina los cabellos” translates to “Let’s go to the beach, everyone in a sombrero / The radioactive wind, messes up the hair.”
Where Does the Phrase ‘Going to Hell in a Handbasket’ Come From?
A popular myth says that the phrase originated due to the use of the guillotine during French Revolution—but here’s the real deal.
15 Memorable Slang Terms From the Vietnam War
Military slang grew by leaps and bounds during the Vietnam War. Here are some terms worth knowing.
Why Do We Refer to Airplane and Ship Passengers as ‘Souls’?
Hearing the phrase ‘souls on board’ usually portends bad news. Why do we use it?
50 of the Most Common Real Estate Terms, Explained
Real estate has a language all its own. We’ve simplified it for you.
Definition Detective Quiz #32
We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?
Why Are Some Towns Called “Bedroom Communities”?
These planned communities became popular in the U.S. after World War II.
21 Alternative Words for ‘Fool’ (And Their Origins)
Show your friends you’re no oaf this April 1 with these 21 foolishly fun synonyms.
10 Viral Vietnamese Slang Terms
The Vietnamese word ‘cột sống’ technically means “spine”—but to the country’s Gen Zers, it’s slang for something else entirely.
Definition Detective Quiz #31
We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?
5 Old-Timey Word Games You Can Play Today
Tired of Wordle? Give these word games a try.
How Do Cars Get Their Names?
Naming a car is like naming a baby, only with a few hundred million dollars at stake.