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Est. 1828
Wordplay
Word History
15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
Including the secret history of 'secretary'
Etymologies for Every Day of the Week
The sun, the moon, four gods, and a goddess.
Eavesdrop, Fiasco, and 8 More Words with Surprising Origins
Including some trivia on ‘trivia’
Funner, Stupider, and Other Words That Are in Fact Real
Don't argue with the dictionary
7 Run-Down Words That Have Seen Better Days
They've taken a hit but are still standing.
Why Did Yankee Doodle Call a Feather 'Macaroni'?
What's with his feathered cap?
14 Words Inspired by Dogs
A lexicographer's best friend
Compound Words That Used to Make a Lot More Sense
How 'jack' met 'pot.' How 'wed' met 'lock.'
7 Good Stories That Just Aren't True
No, that's not where that word comes from
'Handsome,' 'Geek,' and 8 More Words That Changed Their Meanings
Language evolves
10 Common Words with Military Origins
'Skedaddle', 'ginormous', and more
'Ganef,' 'Galoot,' and More Historical Slang Terms We Love
'Hella' is in hella good company
10 Words You Don’t Seem to Hear as Much These Days
As chosen by you, the social media scroller!
10 Words from Place Names
Bikini, bourbon, and badminton were places first
13 New Words for Old Things
When did 'mail' become 'snail mail'?
Does 'handsome' only describe men?
On 'Awesome'
An extraordinary, terrific word
April Fools' Day: We Don't Know Its Origin
But be wary on April 1 anyway.
9 Christmas Words with Surprising Histories
There's no bread in 'gingerbread'
A Few Words on 'Toast'
A word with surprisingly literal origins
Why is there no 'n' in 'restaurateur'?
Making a meal out of it
6 Words Whose Abstract Meanings Came First
From conceptual to concrete
How 'Way' Became a Word for 'Road'
Life is a highway
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Can you solve 4 words at once?
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Can you solve 4 words at once?
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Word of the Day
gadfly
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