Wordplay

Word History

Where does 'hello' come from?

Don't answer the phone with 'ahoy'

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Words With Remarkable Origins, Vol. 2

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

"I bow to you"

How long is a jiffy?

It depends on who you ask

When do we paint the town red?

It may have begun with a literal paint job (but probably didn’t)

Quick: Read This!

'Quick' once had a very different meaning

The Hairy History of 'Sideburns'

Lousy general. Amazing hair.

Eavesdrop, Fiasco, and 8 More Words with Surprising Origins

Including some trivia on ‘trivia’

What does it mean to 'endorse' a presidential candidate?

It's kind of like "endorsing" a check

Funner, Stupider, and Other Words That Are in Fact Real

Don't argue with the dictionary

The Curious History of 'Filibuster'

The Curious History of "Filibuster"

'Dord': How a Non-Word Made it into the Dictionary

It once haunted our books.

Is Being Called Tenacious a Good Thing?

The Definition of "Tenacious"

Egregious: Meaning and History

From Remarkably Good to Shockingly Bad

How the Turkey Got Its Name

The strange global travels of America's favorite Thanksgiving meal

Etymologies for Every Day of the Week

The sun, the moon, four gods, and a goddess.

Spam. A Lot of Spam.

How Spam Became Something On Your Phone, Not On Your Plate

'Piano': Its Name Is Only Half the Story

The soft and loud of it

The Physical History of 'Stereotype'

From the printing house to everyone's house

'Ganef,' 'Galoot,' and More Historical Slang Terms We Love

'Hella' is in hella good company

'Caucus': A Curious American Word

Caulkers? Caucauasu? C.A.U.C.U.S.?

14 Words Inspired by Dogs

A lexicographer's best friend

'Shutdown': An Essential History

We're open for word business
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