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Eager for more than just a spoonful? Sate your hunger for knowledge with our best blog articles.
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December 7, 2025
Twirling, as in twisting and whirling? 10 common portmanteaus
We all know that brunch means breakfast plus lunch, or that Eurasia is used to refer to the connected European and Asian continents. But did you know that words like twirl, smog, or Texarkana are in the same category of portmanteaus or blend words? Read more -
December 6, 2025
11 examples of how voice assistants are reshaping the way we communicate
For millions of people around the world, voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant have become part of daily routines, but they are also quietly changing the way we speak. From how we phrase questions to the words we choose, these digital helpers are introducing subtle changes in everyday language. As our use of these devices increases, the amount of time we spend talking to them will likely increase as well. Here are 12 ways voice assistants are influencing the way we communicate. Read more -
December 5, 2025
From lost golden cities to pirate loots: 10 treasures worth looking for
Everyone has, at some point, imagined stumbling across a hidden chest of gold or a mysterious jewel lost for centuries. Most of us only strike gold in our dreams, but history is filled with treasures that have yet to be discovered. While some are probably tall tales, others may be buried just beneath our feet. Here are 10 of the most curious (and glittering) mysteries still unsolved. Read more -
December 4, 2025
You probably use at least one of these slang words. Which one is it?
Every decade had its own way of talking. From flappers sipping "giggle water" to Gen Z spilling the "tea," slang has always captured the mood of the moment. Some phrases faded, others stuck around, and a few might just make a comeback. So let’s take a stroll through time and revisit the lingo that defined each generation. Who knows? You might find yourself saying "cowabunga" again by the end! Read more -
December 3, 2025
Did you know the meaning of these common expressions in French?
At this point, it is not a secret that a part of the English vocabulary is actually French wearing a trenchcoat. Many of the words and phrases that we use on a daily basis are very similar in use and meaning to their French counterparts; take, for example, words like energy, silhouette, poetic, or machine. However, not all words and phrases of French origin have maintained their meaning or spelling. Let’s have a look at some of them! Read more -
December 2, 2025
Did you know that these 12 everyday foods are named after places?
From crispy French fries to juicy hamburgers, plenty of everyday eats carry the name of a city, country, or region. Sometimes the connection is real, and other times it’s nothing but a twist of history. Here are 12 tasty examples of foods whose names are rooted in places. Read more -
December 1, 2025
These letters were left out of the English alphabet, and here's why
Some letters and symbols were once part of the English alphabet or its ancestors. But time and lack of use eventually made them be dropped, replaced, or forgotten. Most of them come from Old English, Middle English, Latin, or early printing traditions, and their stories are full of phonetic shifts, shortcuts, and the drive toward standardization. Let’s look at them! Read more -
November 30, 2025
How many pants are in a pair of pants? Learn about 11 plural-only words
Some words just can’t be left alone. You can have a pair of glasses, climb the stairs, or dip into your savings, but try talking about just one "glass," (for your eyes) "stair," or "saving," and it suddenly feels a bit off. These traits go unnoticed most of the time, but they do exist. These 11 common words exist only in the plural form. Read more -
November 29, 2025
Ever wished it rained diamonds? On Neptune and Uranus, it’s no joke!
Weather on Earth might be wild, but compared to other planets, it’s downright boring. Across our solar system—and beyond—insane storms, metallic rain, and atmosphere-shredding winds violently shape alien worlds. Here are 10 of the weirdest and most extreme weather events ever observed in space. Read more -
November 28, 2025
Ten common English idioms and their surprising origins
Ever wondered why we "spill the beans" when we reveal secrets, or why something costs "an arm and a leg"? Our everyday expressions carry hidden tales of history, culture, and human nature. Let's dive into ten familiar idioms and discover the surprising stories behind the words we use so casually. Read more -
November 27, 2025
Can you guess these classic movies from their adapted titles?
Movie titles don’t always travel well. They may sound cool or mysterious in English, or rely on clever puns, but those nuances are often lost in translation and leave us with retitled movies that even the most illustrious cinephile would have trouble decoding. Do you think you can identify these famous films by their adapted titles? Try for yourself! Read more -
November 26, 2025
Before emojis, these symbols were everywhere. Do you remember them?
Before emojis became as ubiquitous as they are on our screens, people still found clever ways to express emotions in their texts and emails. Using only punctuation marks, letters, and numbers, they created little faces and symbols to laugh, wink, cry, or even roll their eyes. Let’s take a look back at 12 of the most popular ones that were used before emojis existed. Read more -
November 25, 2025
These harmless expressions have a dark past. Number 9 is hard to believe
We toss around these phrases every day like nothing, without thinking about where they came from. But behind some of these familiar expressions lurk stories of violence, superstition, and even death. From battlefield slang to old legal terms and folklore, their histories can be surprisingly grim. Did you know the origins of these common sayings? Read more -
November 24, 2025
12 facts that people often get wrong
No one can claim to know everything, but most people go through life confident about certain things. However, some of these widely held beliefs are not actually correct, despite their popularity. Let’s have a look at some "facts" you might have gotten wrong! Read more -
November 23, 2025
Why do commercial airflights have those letters and numbers? Here’s why!
Airport codes, numbers, and technical lingo might seem arcane or even random at first glance, but most have surprisingly logical origins. From international abbreviations to behind-the-scenes terms used by airport staff, there’s a whole coded world buzzing around your flight. Let’s unpack 10 of the most widely used ones. Read more -
November 22, 2025
Do you speak “food Latin”? Let’s see if you guess these kitchen classics!
Think you know your fruits and veggies better than the back of your hand? Let’s put that to the test. Scientists love fancy names, but behind all that Latin, you’ll find foods you probably have in your kitchen right now. Here’s a little guessing game: We’ll give you some clues about the origins, uses, or traditions tied to a food. Then we’ll reveal the answer. Let’s see how many you can get right! Read more -
November 21, 2025
The English language has a cast of characters, and you are using them
Ever blurted out, "for Pete’s sake!" without knowing who Pete is? You’re not alone. Our language is full of expressions that borrow names to make a point, crack a joke, or politely curse. From daydreamers and show-offs to mystery women and psychological slip-ups, these idioms appear in everyday conversation, often without much thought. But once you notice them, they’re impossible to ignore. So, let’s meet the characters hiding in plain sight! Read more -
November 20, 2025
Time flies! Fun idioms that make every second count
Clocks, alarms, calendars: since ancient times, humans have been finding ways to measure time. And because time plays such a central role in our lives, it’s no surprise that it’s also a key part of our everyday language, often without us even realizing it. From trying to "beat the clock" to learning to "hold our horses" or waiting for something that happens "once in a blue moon," today we’re exploring the origins and meanings of 10 time-related idioms you’ve probably never stopped to think about. Read more -
November 19, 2025
City folks use these 12 agricultural terms daily without even knowing it
A great deal of words that are used regularly started in the fields. Terms tied to crops, livestock, and tools found their way into everyday language and stuck around. Take a look at the following 12 examples. You might be surprised how many common expressions have their roots in the soil! Read more -
November 18, 2025
Calling someone “sensible” in Spain doesn’t mean what you think
They look familiar, sound familiar—but don’t trust them! "False friends" are words that exist in multiple languages but have wildly different meanings. These linguistic traps confuse travelers, mislead translators, and embarrass even fluent speakers. Here are 10 of the most common—and surprising—false friends across languages. Read more