‘Definition of Insanity’: Did Albert Einstein Really Coin This Famous Phrase?
Is Einstein's definition of insanity world-famous or just a myth?
Is Einstein's definition of insanity world-famous or just a myth?
When she was trying to fly under the radar, Queen Elizabeth II went by the name ‘Sharon.’
These iconic brands were almost called something else entirely. Can you figure out what it was?
It’s complicated—and there are more questions than answers.
In his famous 1858 speech, Abraham Lincoln warned that only civil war would resolve the issue of slavery in the U.S. He wasn’t wrong.
Here's how the hamburger came by its misleading name.
Although the line between the two is sometimes a little blurred, their origins are actually very distinct.
A quick sales attempt is said to be an “elevator pitch.” But does it actually have anything to do with elevators?
Going undercover? Don’t forget your pocket litter, otherwise you might be targeted for some wet work.
A 1904 essay contest may be indirectly responsible for what's happened to your grandmother's dining room.
The phrase dates back to the 1960s, and has more than one meaning.
From ghosts that eat tofu to an angry Buddha and beyond.
This weed slang originated in the 1960s and yep, you can thank Humphrey Bogart for it, but not for reasons you might expect.
Ever wonder what a Canuck is? How about a Blue Jacket? Here's a breakdown of how all of the National Hockey League teams got their names.
Just as juicy as summer’s many berries, stone fruits, and melons are the far-flung, surprising, and often obscure origins of their names.
Here's everything you need to know about the difference between acronyms, abbreviations, and initialisms.
From Bumpass to Bugtussle, America's small towns have a flair for humor.
Here’s the story of how the Ivy League got its name—and a list of all the schools that belong to it (including the informal “Ivy Plus” schools).
Here’s everything you ever wondered about ‘stat’: its meaning, its origins, and whether ER doctors really shout it all the time.
American slang terms can vary from state to state—these in particular are known to cause confusion.
Spoiler alert: Despite what you might have heard, it’s not ‘antidisestablishmentarianism.’
This list of linguistics terms will teach you how to tell your spoonerisms from your mondegreens.
Contrary to popular belief, Shakespeare wasn’t the one who invented this common idiom. But trying to unravel its origins will land you in a bit of a tricky situation.
Some food names are less than forthcoming about what they really are. (We’re looking at you, Grape-Nuts.)