✨📕 The NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Learn More!
✨📕 The NEW Collegiate Dictionary — Learn More!
Wordplay

Word History

Words That Turned 100 in 2025

Happy Birthday to our Centenarians

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Words With Remarkable Origins, Vol. 2

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

"I bow to you"

10 Words from Place Names

Bikini, bourbon, and badminton were places first

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different

Including the secret history of 'secretary'

Quick: Read This!

'Quick' once had a very different meaning

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

Heads up: one is 'vulgar'

'Handsome,' 'Geek,' and 8 More Words That Changed Their Meanings

Language evolves

Where does 'hello' come from?

Don't answer the phone with 'ahoy'

13 New Words for Old Things

When did 'mail' become 'snail mail'?

12 Words Whose History Will Surprise You

They all use this one weird trick (etymology)

7 Run-Down Words That Have Seen Better Days

They've taken a hit but are still standing.

Compound Words That Used to Make a Lot More Sense

How 'jack' met 'pot.' How 'wed' met 'lock.'

Why did Yankee Doodle call a feather 'macaroni'?

What's with his feathered cap?

10 Words You Don’t Seem to Hear as Much These Days

As chosen by you, the social media scroller!

10 Common Words with Military Origins

'Skedaddle', 'ginormous', and more

Much Ado about ‘Folie à deux’

From French psychiatry to the silver screen

What does 'at large' mean?

A holdover of an ancient meaning

The History Behind 8 Halloween Words

These words haunt us

7 Good Stories That Just Aren't True

No, that's not where that word comes from

14 Words Inspired by Dogs

A lexicographer's best friend

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

'Hella' is in hella good company

Etymologies for Every Day of the Week

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