SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

house of cards

Definition of house of cards

:a structure, situation, or institution that is insubstantial, shaky, or in constant danger of collapse

First Known Use of house of cards

1645

Seen and Heard

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WORD OF THE DAY

knee-jerk

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readily predictable

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Why do we call students 'freshmen' and 'sophomores'?

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The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

In the past, you could invent fruit.

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I'll Have the Us(ual)

Shortening 'usual': easy to say, hard to spell

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The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

From the front hallways to the back rooms

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Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

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Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

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Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

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Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

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The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these things doesn't belong?

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Forms of Government Quiz

Name that government! Or something like that.

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True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

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SCRABBLE® Sprint

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