Mental Floss

SLANG





Freeze!

Study up on this breaking terminology so you know what you’re talking about you’re watching the sport at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Mark Peters














The close quarters of those serving together in war is a perfect Petri dish for slang. From ‘FUBAR’ to ‘fobbit,’ here are some military slang terms you should know (plus, why the military uses so many acronyms, anyway).

Mark Peters




Where did this weird word come from?

It’s hardly the most complimentary turn of phrase, but rug rat has been a slang term for children for more than half a century.

Paul Anthony Jones


Which ones will you start using in conversation?

If you’ve ever needed a word for a piece of bread eaten just after a bath, or a term for an unpleasant choice between three options, you’re in luck.

Paul Anthony Jones