Wordplay

Word History

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

Did they ever sell fleas?

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Words With Remarkable Origins, Vol. 2

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different

Including the secret history of 'secretary'

Why do we call it a 'pipe dream'?

Hint: 19th century drug use

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

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

Why do we say 'get out of Dodge'?

It refers to a real place
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