LANGUAGE

11 Words You Might Not Realize Come From ‘Love’

Whether it's bacteria, a city name, or a day of the week, love can be found in unexpected places—including our vocabulary.

Can You Choose Correctly Between Two Commonly Confused Words?

These words are often mistaken for one another. See if you can break the cycle.

What Does the Ship Designation ‘SS’ Mean?

The initialism was originally a bit of shipbuilder marketing—and now there are many different kinds of ship designations.

Why Does ‘Zzz’ Mean Sleep?

How did we come to associate sleeping and snoring with the letter ‘Z’? The origins trace back farther than you might think but are tied to early 20th-century American comic strips.

15 Solid Facts About the Rosetta Stone

Its value as the key that unlocked the meaning of Egyptian hieroglyphs is world-famous—but the turbulent history surrounding the Rosetta Stone’s discovery and translation is more obscure.

Definition Detective Quiz #24

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

The Translation Mystery Behind Imagery of Moses With Horns

Here's why medieval artists loved putting horns on Moses.

If you say "main sail," some sailors might consider you an outsider.

10 Nautical Terms You Might Be Mispronouncing

From 'bowline' to 'topgallant,' these nautical terms don't sound how they look.

Is your bread presliced, your oven preheated, and your car pre-owned?

To Pre or Not to Pre: The Reason We Add ‘Pre’ Before So Many Words

The prefix ‘pre-’ often seems redundant—but it’s actually working hard to serve its purpose.

Why Do We Call the Country “the Boonies”?

We have the military to thank.

Why ‘Run’ Is The Most Complex Word in the English Language

This pithy word may only be three letters long, but it's deceptively complex. According to one lexicographer, it has 645 distinct definitions.

Definition Detective Quiz #23

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

12 Rare Old Words for Monsters

For the next time you encounter a sea serpent, a blood-sucking fiend, or a creepy cryptid.

The Reason Unmanned Aircraft are Called “Drones”

It has a little something to do with bees—a fact you can drop around the watercooler the next time your coworker says they spotted a mysterious drone in the sky.

Find out which languages people in the U.S. care about learning the most.

The 10 Languages Americans Want to Learn the Most

Thinking about learning a new language? Here‘s a look at the most popular choices in the U.S. right now.

We can confirm this suit is pretty ugly.

Where Did the Phrase ‘Neither Confirm Nor Deny’ Come From?

We cannot confirm nor deny we have an explanation.

20 Baby Names at Risk of Going Extinct

Nickname-names like Ellie and Liam are in. Millennial and royal names are out. (Sorry Erin and William.)

Handwritten love letters are underrated.

Dear Valentine: A Brief History of Great Love Letters

“Dear Miss Saucy ... I hereby order you to give me as many kisses and as many hours of your company as I shall please to demand.”

Definition Detective Quiz #22

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

The Surprisingly Literal Reason We Call Letters “Uppercase” and “Lowercase”

The terms are more literal than you might have assumed.

Why Is It Called a “Manila” Envelope?

There’s a surprising connection between the capital of the Philippines and mailing important documents.

Why Are Oft-Repeated Jokes or Stories Sometimes Called “Old Chestnuts”?

There are several theories as to where this phrase came from—and none of them involves the nuts.

Disinformation vs. Misinformation: What’s the Difference?

The difference between misinformation and disinformation boils down to the intent behind it (or lack thereof). Plus, a handy trick for knowing which term to use when the time comes.

Definition Detective Quiz #21

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

PREV NEXT