If you speak a second or third language, you may remember the first time you dreamed in that new tongue.... more

So many books and so little time—it’s a challenge to choose what to read next! It helps to remember that... more

The word filibuster has a long and colorful history, going back to the days when pirates roamed the high seas.... more

To grok something means “to understand it completely.” The word grok comes from a language spoken on the planet Mars—well, at least according to... more

Understanding the varieties of conversational styles can mean the difference between feeling you’re understood and being insulted. “High-involvement” speakers interrupt... more

An anadrome is a word that forms a whole new word when you spell it backwards. For example, the word... more

A flashlight emits a steady beam of light. So what’s the flash part of that word about? Also, if you’re a nervous Nellie,... more

For rock climbers, skiers, and other outdoor enthusiasts, the word send has taken on a whole new meaning. You might cheer on... more

In 1944, an Italian scientist discovered a drug that he later named for his wife. His wife’s name was Marguerite,... more

In Cockney rhyming slang, apples and pears is a synonym for "stairs," and dustbin lids means kids. Plus, sniglets are... more