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language in culture

Why Emoji Are Basically Becoming Their Own Language
Why Emoji Are Basically Becoming Their Own Language
Language and Humor: What’s Funny in One Culture but Not in Another
Language and Humor: What’s Funny in One Culture but Not in Another
The Unexpected Power of Saying “Sorry” Around the World
The Unexpected Power of Saying “Sorry” Around the World
How Colors Shape Language and Perception
How Colors Shape Language and Perception
What Language Do Bilinguals Dream In?
What Language Do Bilinguals Dream In?
Why Swearing Sounds Different in Every Language
Why Swearing Sounds Different in Every Language
Why Some Languages Don’t Have a Word for “Left” or “Right”
Why Some Languages Don’t Have a Word for “Left” or “Right”
How Language Changes When You’re Talking to Grandma vs. Google
How Language Changes When You’re Talking to Grandma vs. Google

weird words

10 Funny-Sounding Words That Are 100% Real
10 Funny-Sounding Words That Are 100% Real
“Limerence”: A Word for the Crush That’s Ruining Your Focus
“Limerence”: A Word for the Crush That’s Ruining Your Focus
The Word That Describes the Feeling of Words Getting Stuck in Your Head
The Word That Describes the Feeling of Words Getting Stuck in Your Head
Words That Look Dirty But Aren’t
Words That Look Dirty But Aren’t
“Petrichor” and Other Words That Smell Great
“Petrichor” and Other Words That Smell Great
Words That Mean the Opposite of What They Sound Like
Words That Mean the Opposite of What They Sound Like
Why “Agelast” Is the Saddest Word You’ve Never Heard
Why “Agelast” Is the Saddest Word You’ve Never Heard
What the Heck Is “Zarf”? And Why Do You Use One Every Day?
What the Heck Is “Zarf”? And Why Do You Use One Every Day?

how to sound smarter

How to Replace “Very” with Words That Actually Mean Something
How to Replace “Very” with Words That Actually Mean Something
The One Word That Makes Every Argument Sound More Intelligent
The One Word That Makes Every Argument Sound More Intelligent
How to Impress in Emails with Just a Few Word Tweaks
How to Impress in Emails with Just a Few Word Tweaks
Say “No” Like a Pro: Polite but Firm Word Choices
Say “No” Like a Pro: Polite but Firm Word Choices
Small Tweaks to Your Word Choice That Instantly Level Up Your Emails
Small Tweaks to Your Word Choice That Instantly Level Up Your Emails
10 Fancy Words That Make You Sound Smart—But Aren’t Pretentious
10 Fancy Words That Make You Sound Smart—But Aren’t Pretentious
Words That Subtly Make You Sound More Persuasive
Words That Subtly Make You Sound More Persuasive
Phrases That Make You Sound More Professional in Conversations
Phrases That Make You Sound More Professional in Conversations

why we say that

What’s the Deal with “Biting the Bullet”?
What’s the Deal with “Biting the Bullet”?
Why “Pulling Someone’s Leg” Used to Be Way More Sinister
Why “Pulling Someone’s Leg” Used to Be Way More Sinister
Why Do We Say “Kick the Bucket”? (And Was a Bucket Actually Involved?)
Why Do We Say “Kick the Bucket”? (And Was a Bucket Actually Involved?)
Where Did “Spill the Beans” Come From—And Was It Ever About Food?
Where Did “Spill the Beans” Come From—And Was It Ever About Food?
How “Three Sheets to the Wind” Became a Synonym for Drunk
How “Three Sheets to the Wind” Became a Synonym for Drunk
Why Do We Say “Break the Ice”? (And What Did Ice Ever Do to Us?)
Why Do We Say “Break the Ice”? (And What Did Ice Ever Do to Us?)
The Surprising Origins of “Let the Cat Out of the Bag”
The Surprising Origins of “Let the Cat Out of the Bag”
Why We Say “Saved by the Bell”—Hint: It’s Darker Than You Think
Why We Say “Saved by the Bell”—Hint: It’s Darker Than You Think

tricky grammar

Why “A Historic” and “An Historic” Are Both Technically Correct
Why “A Historic” and “An Historic” Are Both Technically Correct
The Secret Life of the Oxford Comma
The Secret Life of the Oxford Comma
Who vs. Whom: The Easiest Trick You’ll Ever Learn
Who vs. Whom: The Easiest Trick You’ll Ever Learn
“Than I” or “Than Me”? The Debate Explained Simply
“Than I” or “Than Me”? The Debate Explained Simply
What’s the Deal with Dangling Modifiers?
What’s the Deal with Dangling Modifiers?
“Fewer” vs. “Less”—Why Grocery Store Signs Are Lying to You
“Fewer” vs. “Less”—Why Grocery Store Signs Are Lying to You
The Grammar Rule You Can Probably Ignore Now
The Grammar Rule You Can Probably Ignore Now
Is It “None Is” or “None Are”?
Is It “None Is” or “None Are”?