Blog

If you hear a grammatically incorrect sentence once, you might wince. But if you hear it again and again, you might pick it up and start using it yourself. Have you ever adopted expressions like "my bad" or "doggy dog world"? Let’s at least analyze what is grammatically off in them, and see what versions we could use instead. Read more

William Shakespeare’s plays are among the most represented and reimagined literary works in history and have been viewed through many different cultural lenses and adapted to multiple formats. Today, let’s have a look at 11 Shakespeare adaptations to film! Read more

Can you hear the tune just by reading the first few words of a famous song? We think you can. In fact, we’ve picked 15 songs so familiar that just a glance at the opening line should bring the melody, title, and artist straight to mind. Think you can guess them all? Let’s find out! Read more

Throughout history, dozens of mythological creatures from cultures around the world have played a leading role in tales and legends that have terrified even the bravest. Many of these beasts are well known, but have you ever wondered where their names came from? Read on to discover the origins of 12 legendary monsters! Read more

New York City has so many monikers that one of them could very well be The City of Nicknames. Throughout its history, the most populous city in the United States has received different names, some of which refer to its political and cultural significance, while others were coined in an ironic or satirical way. Because there is a life beyond The Big Apple, in this article, we will uncover the history behind 10 New York nicknames you probably didn't know about. Are you ready? Read more

We do it every night, yet sleep is still one of the most mysterious parts of human life. But thanks to science, we have uncovered some of the strangest truths about what happens when we close our eyes, from sleepwalking to lucid dreaming. Here are 12 weird and wild facts about sleep and dreams, backed by real research. Read more

When we think of a shipwreck, the first thing that comes to mind is often a fictional character like Robinson Crusoe or the one played by Tom Hanks in Cast Away. However, throughout history, hundreds of real people have survived at sea or on deserted islands—often without water, food, or shelter. Here are 10 stories of brave adventurers who got lost in the ocean and survived against all odds. Read more

Have you ever found yourself pointing at something mid-conversation because you couldn’t name it? Or have you caught yourself calling it "thingy"? You wouldn’t be the first. Some very specific nouns exist that few people are familiar with, so they are seldom used. Read the full list and see how many of them you were already using correctly! Read more

Do you keep up with the latest health news? What daily habit do you think is your healthiest, and which one do you feel you should try to change? Health is an important issue for everyone, and our language is proof of that! English offers us many health-related idioms with very interesting origins. Some of them will give you valuable tips, others will teach you a lesson, and others will make you laugh out loud. If you want to discover the meaning and roots of 10 popular health idioms, read on! Read more

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. Read more

Throughout history, hundreds of historical figures have left their mark on the world through their marvelous achievements. When their lives came to an end, their last words were often a reflection of their lives and ideals. From George Washington and Mark Twain to Frank Sinatra and Leonardo Da Vinci, in this article, we will reveal 12 final words of memorable personalities. Read more

Our home is our refuge, the place where we should be able to feel safe. And to make it a pleasant and cozy place, we must work hard. Vacuuming, mopping the floors, cleaning the bathrooms or the kitchen are probably part of your regular cleaning routine. However, there are certain places or objects that we all usually neglect and can become a source of filth and germs. In this article, we have selected 15 "corners of shame" that you are probably forgetting to clean but should pay more attention to. Be honest, how many of the items on this list do you really keep spotless? Read more

It’s a good thing Picasso signed his works with just his surname. His real name is so long that very few people have taken the trouble of learning it. And let’s not even get started on the full name of Bangkok –nor that of L.A.! You’d be surprised how many famous people, places, and mascots hide hilariously long titles. Get ready for a list of names that –thank goodness– got trimmed down! Read more

It is always a delicate matter when a country changes its name, as it signifies a shift not only for the geographical area but also for its inhabitants. The very identity of a nation is affected, which is why such changes are relatively rare. But they do happen. Did you know that Iran was once known as Persia? Or that Colombia was once called New Granada? Not many people remember the original names of these 12 countries. Do you? Read more

Money makes the world go round, and in the U.S., there are more ways to talk about it than you might expect. From "bucks" and "greenbacks" to "dough" and "Benjamins," Americans have come up with a colorful range of slang and idioms to refer to cash. Did you know about these 11? Which ones do you use? Read more

The Mad Hatter may have been lovable and quirky in Alice in Wonderland, but the origin of the phrase isn’t nearly as charming. In the 18th and 19th centuries, hat-makers, especially in England, used mercury in the felt-making process. Long-term exposure to the toxic substance led to tremors, confusion, hallucinations, and even full-blown insanity. So, when someone was "mad as a hatter," it wasn’t a joke, it was actually a tragic side effect of their trade. Read more

Names are fascinating because they are much more than mere identification. They carry meanings that sometimes originate from faraway places, centuries past. Names can change so much that, centuries down the line, a John, a Sean, an Ivan, and a Jean can gather without realizing they are all named after different versions of Ioannes. Read more

Welcome to the weird, wild world of the Mandela Effect. It’s when tons of people share the same false memory, from misheard movie quotes to product names we’d bet our last dollar are right. Spoiler: they aren’t! Today, we’re diving into some of the most head-scratching examples that’ll make you laugh, squint, and maybe question reality a little. Don’t worry—if you remember it "wrong," you’ve got plenty of company. Read more

Many of us have grown up thinking that bats are blind, that we can't go swimming right after lunch, that we only have five senses, or that camels store water in their humps. Wait, do you still believe in any of these things? Don't worry! To prevent you from continuing to spread wrong ideas, we have compiled a list of 12 myths that we all believe to be true but are actually false. Do you dare to question your common sense? Read more

Some words seem interchangeable at first glance, but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll notice they have completely different meanings. Saying "inept" instead of "inapt" or mixing up "anticipate" and "expect" might not seem like a big deal, but it can change the entire meaning of your sentence! Let’s clear up some of the most commonly confused word pairs! Read more