Words

As with many words, we have Latin to thank.

You can save this one for the next time someone makes you mad (though it might not do you any favors, either).

This common phrase is often used during times of political uncertainty, and has even been described as an ancient Chinese curse. History says otherwise, though.

Be honest—how many words did you already know?

Are all these new slang terms confusing you? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Some state name origins are obvious—but others pose an etymological mystery.

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

‘Boo’ didn’t originate as a ghostly saying.

If linguistics is any indicator, it would appear that everybody in the spirit realm speaks Scots English.

The trends range from “fast fashion” to “baby names, literally” and beyond.

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

One theory suggests that we call liquor “spirits” because of alcohol’s association with one spirit in particular: the Holy Spirit. But there are other possible origins.

The heavy-duty tool is said to be the work of a man named Moncke. Or was it Moncay?

It’s as easy as filling in the blanks—or not so easy, as the case may be. Can you solve the puzzle?

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

You have Tinseltown to thank for phrases like ‘cut to the chase’ and ‘jump the shark.’

Plus, a simple trick that will help you identify most true cases of the passive voice. (Hint: It involves zombies.)

Would a scarecrow by any other name scare as many crows?

“And then, yada yada yada, I made a movie about Pop Tarts.”

The ’90s catchphrase was made famous by ‘Seinfeld,’ but Jerry and company didn’t coin it.

Can you figure out what the two missing letters are and type in the correct word?

From rabbits to butterflies, learn the surprising origins of these animal names.

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

There are lots of UK place names—and plenty of surprises in store.

From phrasal verbs to loanwords, here's how English speakers repeat themselves without realizing it.

Both are places where we bury the dearly departed, and the words are often used interchangeably. But that hasn’t always been the case.

Some of these presidents were well versed in October surprises.

Its political legacy began during the Iran hostage crisis, but other kinds of October surprises had been happening for decades.

Can you deduce what letters are missing and figure out the word?

Why is 12 of Something Called “a Dozen”?

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The 10 Most-Searched Slang Terms in 2024

How All 50 States Got Their Names

Definition Detective Quiz #12

Why Do Ghosts Say “Boo”?

10 Baby Name Trends for 2025, According to Nameberry

Definition Detective Quiz #11

Why Are Some Liquors Called “Spirits”?

Why Is It Called a “Monkey Wrench”?

Can You Fill In the Blanks and Figure Out the Word? #4

Definition Detective Quiz #10

6 Words and Phrases Brought to You by Hollywood

The Great Passive Voice Panic: Why Everyone (Even Grammar Experts) Gets It Wrong

11 Old-Timey Terms for Scarecrows

Where Did ‘Yada Yada Yada’ Come From?

Can You Fill In the Blanks and Figure Out the Word? #3

The Surprising Origins of 25 Animal Names

Definition Detective Quiz #9

The Global Origins of Town Names in Every U.S. State (With Maps!)

6 Weird Ways the English Language Is Redundant

Graveyard vs. Cemetery: What’s the Difference?

Where Did the Term ‘October Surprise’ Originate?

Can You Fill In the Blanks and Figure Out the Word? #2