Wordplay

Word History

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

Do they really sell fleas?

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Words With Remarkable Origins, Vol. 2

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different

Including the secret history of 'secretary'

'Pathetic': A History

An in-depth chronicle of inadequacy

7 Run-Down Words That Have Seen Better Days

They've taken a hit but are still standing.

Compound Words That Used to Make a Lot More Sense

How 'jack' met 'pot.' How 'wed' met 'lock.'

What Does 'Wi-Fi' Really Mean?

It’s probably not what you think

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

Skibidi! Mog!! Rizz!!!

Why did Yankee Doodle call a feather 'macaroni'?

What's with his feathered cap?

Words with Lost Meanings

Some words just don't mean what they used to...

The Origin of O'clock

The apostrophe that ate a whole word

Words That Turned 100 in 2025

Happy Birthday to our Centenarians

10 Words You Don’t Seem to Hear as Much These Days

As chosen by you, the social media scroller!

8 Common Words with Military Origins

'Skedaddle', 'ginormous', and more

Much Ado about ‘Folie à deux’

From French psychiatry to the silver screen

How a Word For "Blood" Came to Mean "Optimistic"

The Odd History of "Sanguine"

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

Why not both?

What does 'at large' mean?

A holdover of an ancient meaning

Why do we say 'wear your heart on your sleeve'?

The answer may come from medieval jousts

7 Good Stories That Just Aren't True

No, that's not where that word comes from

‘Fascism’: The Word’s Meaning and History

'Shutdown': An Essential History

We're open for word business

14 Words Inspired by Dogs

A lexicographer's best friend
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