Language

Will We All Speak Emoji Language in a Couple Years?

12 English Words Derived from an Extinct Caribbean Language

18 Everyday Expressions Borrowed From the Bible

How Deaf People Come Up With Signs for Slang Terms Like “Photobomb”

6 Places Where Lexicographers Find Old Slang

Study Shows All Languages Skew Towards Happiness

Portrait of Robert Burns, painted by Alexander Nasmyth.

14 Scots Words from the Works of Robert Burns

Polish up on this list of words and phrases from Robert Burns’s complete works. Highlighting the imagination of his Scots language, they are ripe for revival by Robbie revelers old and new.

Why Your Family Name Did Not Come From a Mistake at Ellis Island

Your Family Name Did Not Come From a Mistake at Ellis Island

10 Words Shakespeare Used With Unclear Meanings

Is Speaking a Language Different From Being Fluent in It?

Are you bilingual, trilingual, or multilingual? A polyglot or hyperpolyglot?

10 Words & Phrases Coined in Comic Strips

Cartoons, comics, and newspaper comic strips might seem like an unusual source of new words and phrases, but here are the stories behind 10 times when precisely that happened.

The Unusual Syntax of “Sexiest Man Alive”

In the wake of People magazine’s announcement of its choice for this year’s “Sexiest Man Alive,” our thoughts, naturally, turn to the unusual syntax of this phrase.

The Origins of 62 Last Names

'Smith' is an Old English name that was given to those who worked with metal. It's probably related to a word that meant "to strike." Where does your last name come from?

17 Old Proverbs We Should Use More Often

This Deaf Couple Officially Gave Their Baby a Sign Name

11 Versions of “Average Joe” From Other Countries

Whether it's Joe Schmo, Fred Nurk, or Vasya Pupkin, every country needs a way to talk about just “some guy.”

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

15 of History’s Greatest Puns

While puns may make you groan and have even been called the “lowest and most groveling form of wit,” a good one is a thing of beauty that’s worth celebrating.

15 Tricky Words and How to Pronounce Them Hilariously Wrong

The Sign Language Interpreter for De Blasio’s Press Conference Was Deaf. How Does That Work?

How Well Does Mark Zuckerberg Speak Chinese?

Feast Your Eyes on This Beautiful Linguistic Family Tree

Take a look at how different languages are connected to one another with this wonderful illustration by Minna Sundberg.

16 Words Derived From Animals

From bears and storks to singing wolves and castrated sheep, all 16 of the words listed here have surprising zoological origins.

12 British Legal Terms Explained

Although English courtroom dramas keep American fans riveted, some legal terms can be a bit of a muddle, leaving statesiders confused.

11 Facts Yü Should Know About the Umlaut

1. The word “umlaut” comes from one of the Brothers Grimm.