Why Do We Only Say “Merry” for Christmas?
Americans favor 'Merry Christmas,' while Brits opt for 'Happy Christmas.' Here's how we got here.
2023-11-10 05:48
How Did ‘Gross’ Become a Term of Disgust?
The word ‘gross,’ which came to English from French, took on a variety of senses in English related to size. But the ‘gross of today is different from the ‘gross’ of the past thanks to teens.
2023-11-09 01:21
What’s the Difference Between Yams and Sweet Potatoes?
Ever wondered if yams and sweet potatoes are the same thing? Read this before sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner.
2023-11-08 22:50
Where Does the Word ’Meme’ Come From?
The word predates social media.
2023-11-08 06:27
35 Old-Timey Slang Terms for Informants
We’ve used the term ‘rat’ to refer to an informer since approximately 1910. But criminals have had many more names for snitches over the years.
2023-11-08 03:16
13 Names for the Sleep Paralysis Demon from Around the World
Take a look at these 13 names from across the world that describe sleep paralysis and the demon once believed to cause it.
2023-11-01 06:25
Why Is an Informant Called a ‘Stool Pigeon‘?
Pigeons aren’t known to be particularly talkative birds.
2023-11-01 05:58
16 Ways to Laugh Online
Everyone has a preferred way to laugh online, whether it’s an acronym like IJBOL (“I Just Burst Out Laughing”), a reaction GIF, or a crying laughing emoji. Which one do you use?
2023-10-31 02:45
Sequoyah: The Man Who Saved the Cherokee Language
His innovative alphabet brought literacy to a nation.
2023-10-30 23:53
Why Do We Call Blonde Kids ‘Towheads’?
The origin of ‘towhead’ has roots in 14th-century England, when ‘tow’ often referred to textile fibers.
2023-10-28 05:24
10 Regional Names for the Night Before Halloween
Whether you call it Mischief Night, Devil's Night, or something else, it all means one thing: wanton destruction of property.
2023-10-27 03:19
21 Wonderful Words for Wind
Geographers and climatologists have a goody bag full of wonderful words that get super specific about wind.
2023-10-25 00:26