Language

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 implications.

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 implications.

Ajwad Creative (Speech Bubble), Overearth (book) // iStock via Getty Images Plus

25 Smart Words You Should Be Using But Aren’t

There are countless words lying ignored in the murkier corners of the dictionary. Here's how to use them.

Today is a Holiday in Honor of the World’s Most Remarkable Alphabet

Happy Hangul Day!

10 Everyday Phrases Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Made Popular

Curiouser and curiouser.

11 Examples of the Odd Dialect Called 'EU English'

Every profession has its in-group ways of using language, but not every profession requires native speakers of many different languages to communicate with each other every day.

Why Is 'Colonel' Spelled That Way?

English spelling is bizarre.

Zuki (speech bubble), pleshko74 (buffalo)/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Beyond “Buffalo Buffalo”: 9 Other Repetitive Sentences From Around The World

Repetitive or so-called antanaclastic sentences and tongue twisters like these are by no means unique to English—here are a few in other languages that you might want to try.

'Froyo,' 'Troll,' and 'Sriracha' Added to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary

The new batch of official entries includes more than 250 terms and phrases.

How New Words Become Mainstream

The path a word takes to enter the general lexicon isn't always a straightforward one.

The Evolution of "Two" in the Indo-European Language Family

Once you see it laid out like this, it doesn’t take much to put *dwóh and *dwóh together.

Why You Should Drop 'Kind of' and 'Sort of' From Your Vocabulary

Your listeners will thank you.

Nailed It! A Dialect Coach Rates the Stars of Cinema's Most Iconic Biopics

See how your favorite actors stack up.

10 Pun-derful Facts About Puns

Puns can be divisive: Some find them irresistible, some find them groan-worthy. But for others, punning is a way of life. Here's what you should know about this ancient art.

Why Do We Say 'Mom' and 'Dad' Instead of Our Parents' Names?

'Ma,' 'ba,' and 'pa' are among the first sounds that children around the world learn how to make, regardless of the language they later speak.

Battle of the Bards: UCLA and USC Argue Over Statue's Spelling of Shakespeare

"To E, or not to E, that is the question."

Including Smiley Emojis in Your Work Emails Could Make You Look Incompetent

There are more professional ways to give your correspondence personality.

9 Sweet Old Words for Bitter Tastes and Taunts

Whether you’re enjoying the sharp taste of an IPA or disliking some nasty words from a colleague, it’s hard not to talk about bitterness. But we could all use a few new—or old—terms for this all-too-common concept.

Hear the Interviews that Helped Build the Dictionary of American Regional English

The new release of old field recordings from the Dictionary of American Regional English showcase many weird and wonderful words.

The Funniest Word in the English Language? 'Booty,' According to New Survey

Other highly-ranked words included "tit," “booby,” “hooter,” “nitwit,” and "twit."

Slip a few of these phrases into conversation.

10 Long-Forgotten Expressions to Drop Into Conversation

English allows you to drop what are (at face value at least) some pretty peculiar idioms and expressions into your everyday conversation.

A Chinese Museum Is Offering Cash to Whoever Can Decipher These 3000-Year-Old Inscriptions

The National Museum of Chinese Writing will pay about $15,000 for each unknown character translated, and $7500 for a disputed character’s definitive meaning.

6 Eponyms Named After the Wrong Person

Having something named after you is the ultimate kudos—but the credit doesn't always go to the right person.

23 Slang Terms You Only Understand if You Work in Antarctica

Antarctica has developed a lingo all its own.