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Definition Detective Quiz #50: Guess the Meanings of These Obscure Words

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

Map Shows the Hardest to Pronounce Town Name in Every U.S. State

The Right Way to Pronounce ‘Gyro’

Definition Detective Quiz #49

Why Are Police Officers Called “Cops”?

Cutting down on syllables is just one reason ‘cop’ became synonymous with ‘police officer.’
Jake Rossen|

You’re Probably Mispronouncing ‘Biopic’—Here’s Why

Here’s where the word ‘biopic’ came from, how to say it right, and why so many people say it wrong.
Ellen Gutoskey|

Why Do We Say “Over My Dead Body”?

Where this bizarre expression came from, how its meaning has evolved, and where you might have seen it used.
Paul Anthony Jones|

Words

5 Common Terms You Didn’t Know Were Named After People

In the latest episode of The List Show, we’re covering some eponyms you might not have realized were eponyms, from ‘mesmerize’ to ‘pants.’
mentalfloss .com|

Definition Detective Quiz #48

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

14 Alcoholic Drink Names You’re Probably Mispronouncing

Here’s how to say everything from liquors like cachaça to brands like Moët.
Ellen Gutoskey|

12 Surprising Word Pairs That Sound Related—But Aren’t

Think ‘human’ was created by slapping ‘hu-’ on ‘man’? Think again: ‘Man’ and ‘human’ aren’t related at all—and they’re just one example of words that seem like they must be linked, but turn out to have nothing in common once you dig into their etymology.
Lorna Wallace|

Why Is It Called a “Deadbolt”?

Our favorite type of door lock has a somewhat morbid name.
Jake Rossen|

25 Words That Don’t Mean What They Used To

It’s to be expected that the words we use will change and develop over time. In some instances, these developments can lead to words gaining new meanings entirely different from their original ones.
Paul Anthony Jones|

Chrysalis vs. Cocoon vs. Pupa: What’s the Difference?

Confused about pupae, chrysalises, and cocoons? Discover the key differences between these metamorphic terms.
CaLea Johnson|

The Right Way to Pronounce ‘Uranus,’ According to Experts

Here’s how scientists and other credible sources pronounce the planet Uranus’s name.
Ellen Gutoskey|

Grammar

The Odd Grammar Rule Most English Speakers Know But Are Rarely Taught

You know this rule, even if you don’t know you know it.
Michele Debczak|

From Y’all To Youse: 8 English Ways to Make ‘You’ Plural

Lots of languages have distinct plural forms for ‘you.’ Wouldn’t it be useful if English had one too? Spoiler alert: It does. Several, in fact.
Arika Okrent|

11 of the Most Expensive Typos in History

From the NASA mistake that made an interplanetary rocket explode to the bible with a very naughty misprint, these typos are an ode to proofreaders.
Jennifer M Wood|

Slang

What Does ‘Fubar’ Mean?

The Arnold Schwarzenegger–starring Netflix series takes its title from World War II military slang. Here’s what 'fubar' means.

13 Fun Slang Terms We Got From ‘Jaws’

Why Do We Say “Throw Down the Gauntlet”?

Why Do We Call Defective Cars “Lemons”?

Names

15 Most Popular Baby Names From Disney

These names show up in Disney movies and shows, and they also happen to be some of the most popular baby names today.
CaLea Johnson|

The Reason Why ‘Peggy’ Is Short for ‘Margaret’

Nickname origins can be tricky—but this one is actually pretty straightforward. (And it doesn't involve pegs.)
Ellen Gutoskey|

How to Pronounce 25 Tricky British Last Names and Titles

From ‘Cholmondeley’ to ‘Wriothesley,’ here's how to pronounce Britain's least intuitive last names.
Ellen Gutoskey|

Can You Put the Most Popular Baby Names of 2023 in the Correct Order?

Let’s sort these babies out.
mentalfloss .com|

Best of Language

5 Unofficial Rules Native English Speakers Don't Realize They Know

It can be shocking to realize that we are able to follow rules that no one ever taught us explicitly.
Arika Okrent|

5 Ways the English Language Breaks Its Own Rules

English, the language of Shakespeare and the internet, is often touted for its flexibility and adaptability. But with great flexibility comes great inconsistenc
Brett Reynolds|

77 Common Mispronunciations

You're going to be astonished how many of these you hopefully already know, but I'm sharing them because many millions of people don't. It's not Aw-ree, for instance, it's ah-wry (awry)
Alvin Ward|

6 Grammar Rules You Can Break

We’re taking Strunk and White and grammarians everywhere to task in the latest episode of The List Show.
mentalfloss .com|

Spelling

13 Things Made Collectible Thanks to Spelling Errors

From the Vatican’s “Lesus” medal to Beanie Babies to the Civil War coins that declare “shoot him on the spoot.”
Arika Okrent|

11 Rules (And Their Exceptions) to Help Conquer Your Spelling Woes

English spelling can be frustrating and confusing, but there are things you can do to help make the task of getting it right more manageable.
Editorial Staff|

11 Historical Figures Who Were Really Bad At Spelling

Would you recoil in terror if spell-check ever stopped working? Fear not: You're in good company.
Mark Mancini|

Pronunciation

The 10 Word Pronunciations People Are Searching for Most

If you have a hard time pronouncing croissant, you‘re not alone.

10 Common Words We Don't Pronounce Like We Used To

The Right Way to Pronounce 'Dachshund'

If You Can Correctly Pronounce Every Word in This 1920s Poem, You’re Among the English-Speaking Elite

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