LANGUAGE

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?

11 Common Words With Very Specific Meanings on Food Labels in the U.S.

Sometimes regular English words—words that have commonsense but slightly fuzzy meanings—must be defined more precisely for food labeling.

Definition Detective Quiz #20

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

You want nothing to do with chimney sweep’s scrotum.

16 Weird Work-Related Ailments

Today’s work-related ailments have nothing on these (mostly) historical diseases. You’ll be glad you're not suffering from Hatter’s Shakes—or worse, Chimney Sweep’s Scrotum.

Is the Term a Euphemism for Dying or for Getting Fired?

‘Six feet under’ may be an obvious nod to death, but other phrases are a little trickier.

What’s a wazoo, and why do we invoke it?

Why Do We Say “Up the Wazoo”?

On the possible origins of ‘wazoo,’ and why things are said to tumble out of it.

The UK and the U.S. have their own go-to slang for the office setting.

The Top 5 Office Slang Terms From the UK and U.S.

“Circle back,” “dodgy,” and “bandwidth” are popular slang terms.

19 Old-Fashioned Words for Writers

At the risk of being a puffer, here are some obscure things to call a quill-driver.

8 Slang Terms That Can Mean Basically Anything

From ‘dingus’ to ‘da kine,’ these all-purpose terms have got you covered no matter what you’re trying to say.

A Brief History of “Auld Lang Syne”

On New Year’s Eve, after the ball has dropped, revelers queue up “Auld Lang Syne”—that song that makes you cry, even though you don’t understand it and know almost none of the words.

Even if you grew up eating pound cake, you may be less familiar with its origin story.

How Did Pound Cake Get Its Name?

The original formula for pound cake was impossible to forget.

18 Old-Timey Words and Terms to Use On New Year’s Eve

Get bugged up and enjoy some laughing soup until you’re in your airs!

Drop this fact at your New Year’s Eve party.

Why Do We ‘Ring In’ the New Year?

The meaning of ‘ring in the New Year’ is now mostly metaphorical, but it used to involve literal ringing.

She's probably looking at one of our map or dog pieces.

Our 15 Most Popular Stories of 2024

Content about maps, fascinating facts about everyday objects, language, and dogs was a hit among Mental Floss readers this year.

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