Wordplay: For the Love of Language | Merriam-Webster

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The Longest Long Words List

21 words with 21 letters or more

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

When the familiar becomes unrecognizable

The Words of the Week - Apr. 17

Lookups from Artemis II, New York City, and the Strait of Hormuz

Was 'nervous Nellie' a Real Person?

How long is a jiffy?

It depends who you ask

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

We just can’t bananaquit them

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

We’ve seen fire, we’ve seen rain, and we have many words for them

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

And why isn't it 'bury the lead'?

Word Choices

Gabrielle Zevin

Emily Flake

New Yorker Cartoonist

Celeste Ng

Eli Cymet

Video Game Writer/Producer, Cuphead

Emma Straub

Novelist and Children’s Book Author

Arts & Culture

A List of The U.S. Military Ranks in Order

From Private to General of the Army

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Here's how all this nonsense started

What does 'eighty-six' mean?

We won't refuse you service

The Changing Meaning of 'Elope'

Read this before you elope. Or 'elope.'

8 Words and Phrases from U.S. Presidents

How to sound presidential

Foreign

Acushla, and More Irish Words for Your Sweetheart

'In Vino Veritas' and Other Latin Phrases to Live By

Top 10 Latin Phrases

10 of Our Favourite British Words

Please don't whinge about being knackered, you prat.

10 English Words from Dutch

Learn how to tell your caboodle from your caboose

Schadenfreude and Other German Words Without Translation

Accept no substitutes

Games & Hobbies

Why Is the Sport Called ‘Pickleball’?

The origin story is clearer than most sports

A Player's Guide to 'Q' without 'U' Words

Remember this and win.

Why 'Love' Means "Nothing"

In tennis. This is about tennis.

8 Prohibition-Era Words

From bathtub gin to the blind pig

The Scoop on 'The Proof Is in the Pudding'

A delicious question

Science & Nature

Fruit vs. Vegetable

Are you sure you know which is what?

7 Especially Fitting Common Names for Plants

So you don't mix up your Swiss Cheese plants with your Dutchman's Breeches

12 Words for Signs of Spring

Spring is springing

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Words for uncommon fears

7 Luscious, Fruit-Based Idioms

For a touch of sweetness or acidity

Word History

'Shutdown': An Essential History

We're open for word business

How long is a jiffy?

It depends who you ask

'Pathetic': A History

An in-depth chronicle of inadequacy

14 Words Inspired by Dogs

A lexicographer's best friend

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

No cats were harmed in the making of this idiom