play video cynic
Word History

The History of 'Cynic'

How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.


How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.

Up next

play video cynic
The History of 'Cynic'

 

How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.

play videos pictures in the dictionary
Pictures in the Dictionary

 

The story of those iconic illustrations.

play video his or her
Is singular 'they' a better choice?

 

The awkward case of 'his or her'

play hot mess
Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

play video soup vs soop
An Abbreviated History of American English Spelling

 

Soop, wimmen, and headake did not make the cut

play how to read a french menu video
How to Read a French Menu

 

How to 'amuse-bouche' without begging pardon for your French

play video lay vs lie
Lay vs. Lie

 

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.