Words

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jane Austen, James Joyce, and Charlotte Bronte all used 'literally' in a figurative sense.

From Austen to Dickens and beyond, famous authors have had no problem with using the word 'literally' in a figurative sense.

If someone were to mention the word 'Fartulum' to you, a snail probably wouldn't be the first thing that came to mind.

Perfectly innocent Latin or Greekisms that just happen to sound like something else.

Silent letters are a clue to how words entered English.

Silent letters are the scourge of spellers and a stumbling block when learning how to write in English—but they're often hidden remnants of how the words passed through different languages on their way to English.

This is counsel in multiple senses of the word.

It’s the Council of Elrond, not the Counsel of Elrond (though counsel was definitely given during proceedings).

Was he really just referencing bean curd? The proof is in the multiple tofu-centric bumper stickers on his car.

From boomer to basic, this map shows the most popular Gen Z slang terms by state.

Call a bout of spontaneous, uproarious, unrestrained laughter 'cachinnation.'

The next time you interrupt an important meeting with a ructus or a borborygmus, you’ll at least have the perfect word for it.

Irish has a name for grizzly bear, even if the bears don't inhabit the country.

The Irish language is full of evocative names for aspects of the natural environment, and wildlife is no exception.

Wordiest, not weirdest. But probably that, too.

Queen Elizabeth II and Camilla, then–Duchess of Cornwall, at the Royal Ascot in 2013.

If you know the meaning of ‘consort,’ you can probably guess what a queen consort is.

Knowing the difference between these common terms can bolster your safety in severe weather.

Leonso Canales Jr. was sick of raising ‘hell’ every time he answered the phone.

History is full of fun, fascinating old school slang terms that are well overdue for a comeback.

Have these terms on hand the next time you toot.

Over the course of history, the human race has come up with many delightfully creative ways to describe the act of breaking wind.

English might be Scotland’s official language, but the country also has distinct dialects and regional nuances. And understanding Scottish slang? That’s a whole other ballgame.

Quisby is just one insult from this list that you might want to start using.

Next time you need to win an argument, try dropping one of these old-fashioned English insults.

This isn't as tough as the whole chicken-and-egg conundrum.

The story behind which orange came first involves Arab trade routes and a bunch of old phrases that mean 'orange apple.'

This information might not jibe with what you’ve heard before.

Use these delicious food words during your next feast.

Expand your vocabulary, as well as your Yule-hole, with these delectable words suitable for true gourmands.

Here are some mnemonic devices to help you master this triple homophonic whammy.

Know how to respond the next time someone tells you the bogus origins of the phrase 'bring home the bacon.'

The stories behind these phrase origins are amazing. Too bad they’re not true—and too bad they’re often repeated as fact. Here’s the real scoop behind the expressions.