Language Stories
Learn all about the English language, from fun word facts and trivia to etymologies, meanings, histories, and more.
Cheesy Names: Do You Know These Cheese Toponyms?
“Flair” vs. “Flare:” Learn Their Blazing Differences
Pancakes vs. Flapjacks vs. Hotcakes: How They Stack Up
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What Is a Semiquincentennial? A Guide to Major Anniversary Milestones
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Fossil Words: Archaic Terms Preserved in Everyday Phrases
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5 Penny Idioms to Salute an Iconic American Coin
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Speak of the Devil! 15 Infernal Names for The Evil One
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From “Witch” to “Ghoul,” Here’s How These Spooky Figures Got Their Names
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“Prebiotics” vs. “Probiotics:” What’s the Difference?
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Why Do We Say “Trick or Treat”?
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’90s vs. Now: How These Words Have Evolved
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Booyah — Dictionary.com Is 30! A Trip Back to 1995
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The Rosetta Stone: Unlocking Ancient Egypt
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Why Is Friday the 13th Unlucky?
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Which Overachiever Is August Named For?
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Words Popularized by Shakespeare That We Still Use
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“Psychic” vs. “Medium”: Are These Synonyms?
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8 Greek Words About Love That Will Make Your Heart Soar
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What’s So “Good” About “Good Friday”?
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Cheesy Names: Do You Know These Cheese Toponyms?
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What Makes Holi the Most Colorful Event of the Year?
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Do You Know The New Meaning Of “Preppy”? (Yes, It’s Changed!)
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The Major Facts About The Month of Ramadan
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“Commonwealth” vs. “State”: Which One Do You Reside In?
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The Complexity Of African American Vernacular English
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What Do Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, And Lent Mean?
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Plant Cell vs. Animal Cell: What’s the Difference?
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MLK’s “I Have a Dream” Speech: An Example of Anaphora
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Apple Cider vs. Apple Juice: What’s The Difference?
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Element vs. Compound: What Is the Difference?
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Wassail, Sugarplum, and Other Unusual Christmas Words
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Where Does the Name “Winter” Come From?
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Espresso vs. Coffee vs. Cappuccino: We Spill the Beans
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12 Names for Santa Claus From Around the World
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Indica vs. Sativa: There Is a Difference
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Hallowmas vs. All Saints’ Day: What’s The Day After Halloween Actually Called?
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Terror vs. Horror: Which One Is Worse?
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Scythe vs. Sickle: Cutting Away At Their Differences
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“Autumn” vs. “Fall:” What Was the Season Called First?
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English Could Really Use These 15 Wunderbar German Words
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“Hispanic” vs. “Latino”: When To Use Each Term
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Schadenfreude And 10 Other German Words So Good English Just Had to Borrow Them
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In Spite Of vs. Despite: What’s The Difference?
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Affective vs. Effective: Which Is Correct?
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The Most Commonly Misspelled Words—With Spelling Tips for Each One
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Resume vs. Résumé: A Brief Account Of Their Differences
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What’s With “Oof,” “Meh,” and Other Popular Interjections?
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White Tie vs. Black Tie: Which Is More Formal?
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Tuxedo vs. Suit: Cracking the Dress Code
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Why Do Americans Call Football “Soccer”?
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Mixtape vs. Album: What’s The Difference?
