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8 Of The Most Looked-Up Definitions In The United States

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Some of us still hold on to dusty old dictionaries and huge encyclopedia volumes, reveling in the act of browsing through an actual, physical book. However, it's impossible to deny the ease of access that search engines provide when it comes to checking up a quick fact or finding the definition of a particularly tricky word.

If you spend any amount of time on the internet, chances are that you've done just that once or twice. And guess what? You are not alone. Here, in no particular order, are 8 of the most looked-up definitions across the United States.

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A "pyrrhic victory" is one that comes at such a heavy cost that it's tantamount to defeat. In a sense, it's the polar opposite of the notion of living to fight another day.

This interesting phrase finds its roots in King Pyrrhus of Epirus, a Greek king who fought and won several battles against a growing early Rome. His victories, however, came at the expense of unacceptably heavy losses, and he is quoted as having said, "If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined."

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This word was one of the most searched by the residents of Washington, D.C., and for good reason. For a capital city, Washington D.C. is surprisingly green, and it recently refreshed its sustainability plan, setting goals and targets up to 2032.

This is good news, as concerns for long-term sustainability rise, and humanity as a whole strives for a more eco-friendly way of life.

Image: Taylor Grote

Saleratus searches, weirdly enough, reached an all-time high during the months of April and July of 2023. If you either live or have any friends or relatives in Texas or Vermont, maybe you'll be able to tell us what the spike in saleratus searches is all about. For the rest of you, if you'd like to know, saleratus is the Latin word for sodium bicarbonate–better known as baking soda.

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"Oligarchy" is a word with Greek roots that translates to "the rule of the few." It's used to describe a form of government in which a dominant elite controls all the power, as opposed to an ideal democracy, meaning "the rule of the people." In its modern use, it is often charged with connotations of selfishness and corruption.

Image: Annie Spratt

Uncanny things unsettle us. They are mysterious and frightening in a way that feels oddly familiar, yet out of place.

Early essays about the uncanny phenomenon focus on dolls and waxworks, and how unsettling their inanimate lifelikeness can often be. However, with the advent of AI-generated videos and images, the phrase "uncanny valley" has found renewed relevance in this day and age.

Image: Nathan Anderson

Strip "uncanny" of its negative prefix and you'll be left with "canny." While, in their modern sense, both words are not necessarily antonyms, they both stem from the early Scottish canny, "free from risk, prudent, or cautious." Today, "canny" is used to describe someone or something shrewd or clever.

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A borrowed word from French, blasé is an adjective that describes someone who, through repeated exposition, has become bored and apathetic toward stimuli. It sometimes implies a degree of practical knowledge or wisdom and, in this sense, it could be applied to a seasoned adventurer who no longer fears the dangers of the road ahead. However, blasé is often used ironically to describe people who try to appear experienced by feigning apathy.

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Similes and metaphors are figures of speech that are used to compare one thing to another. When using similes, the comparison is made explicit by the use of words such as "like" or "as." "You are as bright as the sun" is a simile because it uses connectors to point out similarities.

"Life is a stage," on the other hand, is a metaphor. Metaphors are stronger comparisons that renounce connectors and directly equate one thing to another. The characteristics of one thing "carry over" –from the Greek meta, "across, over," and pherō, "to bear, to carry"– to the other one.

Do you know these 10 spooky American catacombs and crypts?

Image: Jez Timms

You don't have to travel to Europe to find catacombs, crypts, and old underground tunnels. Here in the United States, we have our fair share of fascinating—and creepy—sites to discover. From church burials and Civil War passageways to underground cities, the country is full of hidden treasures worth visiting. If you're not afraid of the dark, cobwebs, and bones, join us as we unravel 10 spooky underground places you probably didn't know existed.

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Seattle Underground is a sort of hidden city beneath the streets of Seattle, Washington. In the mid-19th century, the city’s streets were at ground level, but after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889 destroyed much of downtown, city planners decided to rebuild the streets one story higher, leaving a whole new second floor on top of the existing ruins.

For a time, people continued to use these underground secret passageways, but in 1907, they were closed to prevent illegal occupations. In the 1950s, the abandoned tunnels became a tourist attraction. Today, you can visit them and see the old storefronts, artifacts, and bank vaults for yourself!

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St. Patrick's Neo-Gothic Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan is one of New York City's architectural marvels. However, the original building, built in the early 1800s, is more modest and located in Lower Manhattan. This historic site is particularly special, as it houses the only catacombs in New York City and one of the handful that exist in the United States.

These subterranean tunnels served as a burial place for church parishioners for over 200 years. As New York grew, space became scarce, and it became necessary to find alternatives to house the deceased. Today, guided tours offer visitors a chance to explore this emblematic and sacred site.

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Not many people know that Nashville has a network of hidden tunnels beneath its streets. They are mostly hidden from the public, but locals know about them thanks to the many spooky legends that have emerged throughout the years.

Some of these underground passageways date back to the Civil War era and were reportedly used to transport goods and soldiers. Others were constructed in the late 1800s as utility tunnels for steam and coal delivery. According to local lore, the tunnels were also used for secret escapes and Prohibition-era smuggling. Would you visit them?

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Who would have guessed there is a hidden underworld in Indiana's capital city? Thousands of people visit the Indianapolis City Market every day, but not many know about the catacombs hidden underneath.

These underground chambers were built in the 1880s as part of Tomlinson Hall. In the 1950s, the building burned down, yet the basement survived and is still standing today. Visitors can walk through the tunnels and admire the beautiful old brick arches. But that’s not all: once used primarily for storage, these catacombs are now open for tours, special events, and even parties!

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Originally established in 1819 by Cincinnati’s first Catholic settlers, St. Francis Seraph Church is best known today for its underground crypt. The present building was erected years later over the old church, and the remains from the former gravesite were relocated to a newly built crypt beneath it.

The site remains intact to this day and displays the headstones of the 42 individuals buried there nearly 200 years ago.

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Can you imagine discovering a time capsule sealed for over 6,000 years? The Crypt of Civilization at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia, is a glimpse into our future past. It was sealed with a stainless steel door in 1940 and is not supposed to be opened until the year 8113, making it one of the longest-sealed time capsules in the world.

The crypt is located beneath the university, and the entrance is marked with a plaque describing its purpose. Inside are more than 800 items from the 20th century, including books, recordings, and everyday objects meant to preserve the culture and knowledge of the era.

Image: Tyler Mower

The Columbia Catacombs have been part of South Carolina’s capital city for generations. Nobody knows exactly what they were built for, but some believe they were used to move soldiers during the Civil War. Others claim the tunnels served as a hideout for bootleggers during Prohibition.

According to one of the many legends, these creepy tunnels were called ‘catacombs’ because in 1888, a student found human remains in the basement of DeSaussure College. While that story is likely more fiction than fact, if you’re curious—and brave—you might want to consider Columbia for your next haunted vacation.

Image: Thomas Scheiner

There are many landmarks to visit in Washington, DC, but you might want to give the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land a chance. In the early 20th century, Franciscan monks began constructing a full-size replica of Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The building is so faithful to the original that it even includes the underground cave where Jesus' birthplace is supposed to be preserved.

But that's not all; the monks who built this place decided to add Roman-style stone catacombs full of dimly lit passages. Unlike the catacombs in Rome, however, all the graves here are symbolic, except for the preserved bones of a child martyr from the 2nd century dubbed Saint Innocent.

Image: Всеволод Машарский

Did you know that beneath Boston's Old North Church lies a crypt containing more than 1,100 burials? It's also an extremely significant place in our nation's history. The church itself is famously associated with Paul Revere’s midnight ride during the American Revolution. Imagine that!

Today, the crypt is full of old wooden coffins, and some of them are in surprisingly good condition despite being nearly 200 years old. Next time you visit the city, you can take a tour to learn more about the church's history and its permanent residents.

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One of Kentucky’s best-kept secrets is sitting right below the surface for everyone to enjoy. The Louisville Mega Cavern is a huge underground space that once served as a limestone mine.

Now it’s used for storage, events, and even an underground bike park. One of the largest caverns in the United States, this hidden gem covers 100 acres, has 17 miles of tunnels to explore, and stays at 58ºF all year round. Visitors can ride bikes, take tram tours, and experience the world’s only underground zip line! Would you dare to try it?