Wordplay

Arts & Culture

'Dumbledore', 'Hippogriff', and 11 More Real Words from Harry Potter

Muggles welcome.

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

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

17 Words for Dog Breeds

If you love dogs and words, you’re barking up the right tree

The Words of the Week - Jan. 30

Lookups from Venezuela, Minneapolis, and Winter Storm Fern

A Great Big List of Bread Words

Quit loafing around and get that bread (word)

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

From Private to General of the Army

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Here are some additional words for calling something lovely

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

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Our maraca shake brings all the hautbois to the yard

What's the political meaning of 'dog whistle'?

Can you hear me now?

12 Star Wars Words

Enjoy this listicle, you will

The History of 'Nuclear Family'

Getting at the core of it.

17 Tasty Names of Appetizers

Enjoy. They're complimentary.

When is ‘cuffing season'?

Something to do during the cold, dark months.

A Guide to British Noble Titles

Know your Duchess from your Baroness

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

The acronyms began as telegraph codes

How a Word Gets into the Dictionary

What our editors are looking for when they enter words in Merriam-Webster.

Heroin, Granola, & More: Products That Became Words

Top 10 Words from Trademarks

11 Words Used to Great Effect by Edgar Allan Poe

The Vocabulary in the Rue Morgue

Has ‘supper’ always meant ‘dinner?'

Your grandmother might answer differently.
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