Words

Some situations require sterilization, while sanitizing works fine in others.

Learn the key differences between sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing to properly clean your home and protect your health.

The terms are more literal than you might have assumed.

There’s a surprising connection between the capital of the Philippines and mailing important documents.

There are several theories as to where this phrase came from—and none of them involves the nuts.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

‘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?

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.

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

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

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

The proverb that empowers rude shoppers has been going strong for over a century. Who’s to blame?

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

The original formula for pound cake was impossible to forget.

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

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

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

You’re probably not pronouncing that word correctly.

Sorry to break it to you, but ‘mischievous’ isn’t “miss-CHEE-vee-uss,” and ‘boatswain’ isn’t “BOAT-swain.” We’re breaking it all down in the latest episode of The List Show on YouTube.