The MOST Shocking False Etymologies in English
If a word's history sounds too good, it probably is.
English Challenge: What Do These Old Words Mean?
For those of you who want to test their knowledge of Shakespearean English, we welcome you to try this quite challenging quiz.
10 Fascinating History Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
In this article, we collected 10 absolutely fascinating historical facts, many of which touch upon the unexpected origins of concepts like New Year's resolutions.
14 Obsolete English Terms We Wish Were Brought Back!
Over the centuries, so many eloquent and useful English words fell out of use. We wish these 14 clever (but sadly obsolete) terms were used more often.
The Surprising Link Between English and Sanskrit
Sanskrit is an ancient Indian language, but most people don't know that this archaic language and English have a common ancestor
QUIZ: Do You Know These Words and Phrases In Old English?
19 Funny Old English Phrases We Should Really Bring Back!
It's high time that these words make a comeback.
How Far Back in Time Could You Go and Still Understand English?
Languages are born, change, and die. English, we presume, is no exception. So how far back in time could you go and still understand anything...?
The Origins of these 10 Olympic Words is Fascinating
You use these popular sports words all the time. But do you know where they come from?
How Did European Countries Get Their Names?
Did you know that the word Spain, the name of the country, is translated from Phoenician as "the land of rabbits?"
Knowing These Latin Shortenings Is Super Useful Even Today
Knowing a little bit of Latin can be quite useful to all the English speakers out there, and these 7 short phrases we see all the time are proof of exactly that!
The Extraordinary Origins of 10 Common English Words
In this article, we uncover the extraordinary etymology of 10 common English words, including ‘daisy’, ‘eavesdropper’, and ‘vaccine’.
10 English Words That Come From Native American Languages
Some seemingly ordinary English words, such as barbecue, raccoon, and even squash, actually come from Native American languages and it's fascinating!
15 Latin Phrases We Use to This Day Without Even Realizing
As an English, speaker you likely know more Latin than you ever thought you did. Just look at these 15 Latin phrases and see if you know what they mean...
You Won’t Believe These 11 Phrases Are Over a Century Old
These 11 words and phrases seem like they're a recent invention in English, but they're actually at least a century old...
How 10 Ordinary English Idioms and Phrases Began...
Many English phrases and idioms have fascinating histories behind them, here is a selection of 10 astounding examples.
10 Words We Use Every Day That Shakespeare Made Popular
Shakespeare is believed to have invented 1,700 words, but these 10 should be taken off the list, as he didn't invent, but popularized them.
Can Your English Vocabulary Reveal Where You Are From?
This English test attempts to guess if your accent is closer to British, American, Canadian or Australian, will we be able to guess yours?
These Words Wouldn’t Exist Without These 10 Famous Authors
Learn of 10 commonly-used English words that were coined by famous authors and philosophers.
10 Popular “Contemporary” Words Coined by Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s impact on the language we speak is far greater than most of us realize. These surprising words are just a few of hundreds attributed to the Bard.
14 Uniquely Canadian Words and Phrases You Should Know
There are some Canadian words no American would understand. If you’re planning on visiting Canada, it’s quite useful to learn these 14 words and phrases.
15 Essential Legal Terms That Sound Confusing to People
If you want to understand legal representatives better and simply enjoy your favorite legal TV show to the fullest, learn these 15 legal words and phrases.
Explained: The Fascinating Origins of Human Language
Have you ever wondered how did human language come into existence? Find out the origins of language in this video.
The 12 Words of Christmas: Funny Long Lost Phrases
If you think eggnog and wassail are funny-sounding, wait till you hear the Christmas words that didn't stand the test of time
These Slang Words Are Sure to Tickle Your Funny Bone
We’ve collected 11 silly-sounding slang words starting from Victorian times all the way to the present day so that all of us could have a good laugh!
8 Ordinary English Words With Surprisingly Spicy Origins
The origins of all these 8 seemingly innocent words - e.g. gymnasium, avocado, and nice - are not for the faint of heart, as they're quite naughty!
10 Quirky British Slang Phrases to Add to Your Vocabulary
British English often seems like a whole different language. Learn all about 10 common and certainly fun and quirky British slang words in this article!
Can Your English Vocabulary Reveal Where You’re From?
QUIZ: Do You Really Know These Common Phrases In English?
Is your English as good as you think it is?
I Can’t Believe These Ordinary Words Used to Mean That...
Let’s take a short journey back in time and trace the origins of 11 seemingly-ordinary words that have exceptionally-interesting histories.
These Common Words Began as Mistakes - Unbelievable!
Some spelling and grammar mistakes change a student’s grade for the worse, others transform the language forever.
Check Out These Rare and Fascinating Antonyms!
Here are a few rare but fascinating antonyms we wish people used more often.
These Age-Old Idioms Date Back to the Renaissance!
The expressions listed here all sound contemporary, but they're almost half a millennium old.
11 Clever Contronyms - Same Word, Opposite Meanings
Have you ever heard of contronyms? Here’s a hint - these are words that contradict themselves.
English Vocab History: Few Can Pass This Vocabulary Quiz?
These 14 words have really strayed away from their original meaning, can you guess what words like 'girl' and 'clue' used to mean?
Language vs Dialect - How Are They Different?
You've surely heard about the term "dialect" before. But have you ever considered how a language and a dialect differ?
Learn All About the History of the English Language
Ever wondered where the English language came from and how it evolved over time? If so, then this is the perfect video for you!
There Are Surprising Stories Behind Every US State’s Name
Learn the fascinating history behind the origin of each US state's name.
Test Yourself: Which English Word Should You Use?
Sheep or sheeps? Definitely or definately? Do YOU know which English word to use?
Why Did We Start Going to the Beach For Fun?
Did you know that going to the beach for recreation is a relatively new invention? For most of human history, the concept simply did not exist...
Odd One Out - The Reason French Pronunciation Is So Unique
Italian, Spanish, and French all evolved from Latin. If all of these languages have the same root, why does French pronunciation sounds so different?
These Bygone Terms for ‘Happy’ Need to Be Brought Back
There were some really cool ways to describe happiness back in the day.
What Made the Merriam-Webster Dictionary Last So Long
How do new words get added do the dictionary? Watch the surprising history of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary to find out...
10 Most Mysterious Temples Around the World
Over the years these shrines have accumulated or covered up countless stories and secrets - these are the 10 most mysterious temples around the world.
Using These French Phrases in English Elevates Your Speech
Even if English is the only language you speak, we’re more than convinced that you’re quite familiar with a bunch of French words...
What's Portmanteau? Surprising Etymologies of Common Words
If If you have ever said the words brunch, sitcom or spam, you have used portmanteaus. This is the fascinating origins story of many common words...
History Lesson: The Armored War Elephants of Ancient India
Elephants in ancient Indian history played a crucial part in warfare. Find out more about their fascinating history...
You Know These 10 Foreign Words Without Even Realizing It
We’re willing to bet that you know more foreign words than you think, even if English is the only language you speak. Here’s why...
Why Alexander’s Speech During the Opis Mutiny is Legendary
Have you heard about Alexander the Great's historic speech during the Opis Mutiny? Find out why it was so special.
Ancient Egyptian Cuisine Was So Fascinating!
Let's travel back in time and get to know what the diet of ancient Egyptians was really like.
Uncover the Secrets of Pompeii’s Greatest Treasures
Take a drip through history and uncover some of the biggest treasures from the ancient city of Pompeii.
Let’s Thank Cinema For These 10 English Words and Phrases
Films and TV shows have invented and popularized countless words we use in everyday speech today. Here are just 10 surprising examples you’ll want to know
10 Difficult Words in English Everyone Should Know
English has many difficult words with meanings that are nearly impossible to guess, which makes them super tough to remember. Here are 10 such words
Phrases We Use Without Realizing It’s a Shakespeare Quote
William Shakespeare had a huge impact on modern English, so much so that most of us are quoting the great bard every day without even realizing it!
Learn How These 10 Body Parts Got Their Names
Learn about the curious and interesting origin stories of the names of several common body parts.
What the Japanese Thought of the First European Explorers
This video shows how Japanese historians described the first contact with Europeans, and it’s curious to say the least!
Smart Synonyms for 16 Words That Will Elevate Your Speech
Sound smarter and enrich your lexicon with these 16 clever alternatives to ordinary English words
From Salt to Salary: Surprising Origins of Ordinary Words
Did you know that the word 'muscle' stems from the Latin word for little mouse? Here is a collection of words with peculiar etymologies
QUIZ: Can You Guess What These Words Used to Mean?
Language Quiz: Which English Word Should You Use?
Hilarious: English is a Seriously ODD Language...
If you thought English is a clear-cut and tidy language, you better read this.
A Fascinating History of the New Year’s Eve
Did you know that New Year's hasn’t always been celebrated on January 1?
30 Essential Medical Terms For Bodily Functions
The next time you hear a doctor utter something in Latin, pay close attention, as after reading this article, you may understand what it means.
Things You Don’t Know About History’s Famous Artifacts
Wow, history really is an endless treasure trove of knowledge!
How Did We Invent the Dollar? Learn Its Meandering History
In this video, we will learn a short history of the U.S. Dollar.
16 Confusing Words That Even Intellectuals Get Wrong
Find out the difference between these difficult word pairs, and don’t let them confuse you ever again.
When GH Says F: Why Does This Occur?
We're meeting up on the corner of history and linguistics to learn why GH is pronounced as F.
The History Behind Commonly Used Phrases You Never Knew
Do you know the origins of these 10 phrases?
Funny: When Words Sound Alike With Different Meanings
Homophones are words that sound exactly the same, but aren't spelled the same and mean something different. Here are 20 that are the wordiest of words.
History Quiz: Are These Facts, Legends or Myths?
Are these statements historical facts, legends, or simply mere myths? Give this quiz a shot, and see how many you can get right!
QUIZ: Where Did These English Words Come From?
Do you know where the English words you use actually come from? This test is going to ask you to identify the root languages of common English words.
The European History Quiz: How Much Do You Know?
This quiz will test your knowledge of some of the most significant events to ever take place within Europe's long and bloody history.
History: The Swamp of Many Hidden Secrets
Find out the truth about the secret communities that lived in the Great Dismal Swamp in North America.
Discover the Story of This Little-Known Medieval Kingdom
Discover the origins of the little-known kingdom of the Isles that existed way back in the 840s.
Car Designs Have Changed SO Much Over the Last Century
A classic car expert provides an in-depth analysis of the last 100 years of car design.
TRIVIA: Test Your Knowledge of the Seven Wonders
How much do you think you know about the ancient Seven Wonders of the World? Take this test and find out.
15 Facts So Fascinating You’ll Have to Pass Them On!
A few interesting facts make even the most mundane topic fascinating. Check out these 15 facts across many different topics.
Full Documentary: Unearthing the Lost World of Angkor Wat...
This fascinating feature-length documentary explores the ancient civilization that inhabited Cambodia's Angkor Wat. Watch it in its entirety here.
Expand Your Knowledge with These Intriguing Facts
They say those who keep learning stay young. So if you're a keen learner, check out these fascinating facts about history, nature, and a variety of other topics!
We Challenge You to Figure Out What These Messages Mean
These ridiculously funny linguistic fails will make you laugh.
How Every Country in the Americas Got Its Name
Learn all about the fascinating etymologies of every country name in the Americas here.
This Fortress Has Over 1000 Years of Fascinating History
Over 2 million people visit the Alhambra fortress every year, but few of them know about the secret world beneath this ancient monument.
The Fascinating World of British Accents
There's a multitude of fascinating accents on the British Isles! Here are 20 of the most interesting ones.
A Walk Through the Destroyed City of Berlin in July 1945
In this absolutely fascinating restored footage, you get a glimpse of the partly destroyed streets of Berlin in July 1945, mere months after the German surrender.
Animal Spies: Fascinating Stories of Non-Human Agents
Who raises less suspicion than innocent animals? Learn of the incredible cases in which animals were trained and used for espionage.
13 Funny Palindromes That Will Make You Giggle
People have been enjoying palindromes for centuries - here are 13 funny examples that are sure to make crack you up.
Fascinating - the Evolution of the Alphabet
Have you wondered how the letters we now identify with English came to be? Where did they come from?
Ancient Greece: A Quick and Fascinating Overview
Want to learn everything about ancient Greece without having to read a book? Here's a quick crash course on the fascinating subject.
Language History: The Origins of 7 Common Phrases
Let's delve deep into history and travel all the way back to Ancient Rome to reveal the origins of 7 common food-related expressions in the English language.
Explained: The Reason Why February Only Has 28 Days
Ever wondered why February consists of only 28 days? Well, here are some answers...
These Bizarre Historical Heists Almost Sound Made Up
Did you know that an entire church was once stolen brick by brick? Learn about some unbelievable historical heists here.
These Man Made Pools Provide Support to Millions of People
The Potash Ponds are not only a striking sight but also an extremely important resource. What's their story? Find out here.
Let’s Learn About 7 of the Longest Words!
Did you know that the longest word to appear in literature clocks at a staggering 183 letters? Find out about more such longest words.
The Roman Emperor Aurelian: Restorer of the World
Learn more about the Roman emperor Aurelian, also known as the “Restorer of the World”.
Find Out What It Was Like to Fly In the Days of Yore
Have you ever heard of the Boomerang Plane? Find out about this and some of the other wackiest airplanes of the past in this video.
14 Times People Hilariously Misused Quotation Marks
A misused quotation mark can send a completely different message than was intended, as you will see in these pictures.
The Life of an Average Viking Was Quite Fascinating!
Vikings have fascinated all of us. But do you what was the typical Viking lifestyle like? Find out.
History Lesson: When Numbers Were Banned
Did you know that once upon a time, some numbers were considered dangerous? Explore the history behind banned numbers here.
The Secret Behind Napoleon Bonaparte’s Signature Pose
You may have noticed that Napoleon Bonaparte is always depicted in the same pose - tucking one hand in his shirt. But why?