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Do you know that one friend who always keeps you guessing? The one that is full of surprises and a personal history that is anything but boring. Well, the English language is pretty much like that. From its Germanic roots to its global dominance today, English has been shaped by centuries of twists and turns. Did you know Shakespeare invented words we still use today? Or that "awful" once meant something great? Well, whether you are a word nerd or just curious, we’ve put together 10 fun facts about English that’ll make you see it in a whole new light. Here we go! Read more

If you’ve ever felt like the government speaks its own secret language, don’t sweat it, because you’re not alone! From the VA to the CIA, all those acronyms and initialisms can leave anyone scratching their head. Today, we’re here to decode some government abbreviations you might come across to keep you informed and up to date. So grab a cup of tea, sit back, and let’s take a lighthearted look at what they really mean! Read more

Language is considered a living tissue, so it stands to reason that the words we use as we move through the decades change with us: Since we have no use for some words, they sadly fade from existence and are ultimately forgotten. However, that doesn’t need to be the case: Who says we can’t launch some kind of conservation effort to keep words relevant? With that in mind, we have selected 10 forgotten words that we think should make a well-deserved comeback. We honestly believe that adding these terms to our collective vocabularies would make our lives easier, or at least, more colorful. Enjoy! Read more

Dog breeds come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities. However, they have at least two things in common: they are all super cute, and their names have a backstory. Do you know how the name "Bloodhound" came to be? And what about "Poodle"? Let’s dig into the history behind some of the most popular dog breed names and uncover the stories they have to tell. You might even discover a fun fact to impress your fellow dog lovers! Read more

Thanks to electricity, we can light up cities, keep our food fresh, stay connected no matter the distance, keep our homes clean, and stay cool or warm with air conditioning, among many, many other things. But even though it's part of our daily lives, there are actually many facts about electricity that you probably didn't know. If you want to discover electrifying fun facts, join us! Read more

Every now and then, language brings us together. You can be pardoned for not knowing how to order dinner in Finnish or Dutch. But, most likely, any human will understand you if you say "pizza." Something similar would happen if you were trying to stop a "taxi", or if you were offered "chocolate." Can you guess these 15 words that are practically the same across languages? Read more

Some claim that humans only use 10% of our brains, others say that eating turkey makes you sleepy, and everyone has heard the supposed remedy for a jellyfish sting. Like these, there are many well-known myths we frequently repeat without giving them much thought. Fortunately, science has taken the time to put these ideas to the test to see if they are true: it turned out that they were not! Join us to discover these 10 popular myths that science has debunked. Read more

We’ve already explored English words inspired by movies, or derived from the works of popular authors. But have you ever noticed how many everyday words go back to Greek mythology? Sure, we have the more obvious ones—like "narcissist" or "nemesis"—but you might find in this list terms that you didn’t know were so old. Read on! Read more

Languages often have words uniquely tailored to describe feelings, situations, or objects that would require too many words to explain in English. These bizarrely specific words from around the world give us a glimpse into different ways people interact with the world through language. Here are 10 incredibly specific yet useful examples that may leave you wondering why English doesn’t have them. Read more

Like geological layers of rocks, languages are built over time, each layer preserving traces of cultural and linguistic events that give shape to its present form. Modern English is not an exception, and its rich history forms a complex tapestry of diverse influences across centuries. From conquerors to traders, each left an indelible mark on its vocabulary, grammar, and idioms. Join us to explore which 12 languages are key to understanding the English we speak today. Read more

English is far from easy—even native speakers stumble over it! With roots in multiple languages, countless borrowed words, and a wealth of silent letters, English spelling is rarely straightforward. So, don’t feel bad if you often slip up on one of these 10 common spelling mistakes—it’s not entirely your fault. Check to see if you’ve been misspelling any of these words, or just brush up on what you already know! Read more

Our body takes us to all kinds of places, but not only in the literal sense. You can head a meeting, shoulder a responsibility, or eye someone suspiciously. Some words started as simple body parts, but evolved to take on actions and meanings that go far beyond anatomy! Are you ready to flex your brain? Read more

Surely, we’ve all made grammatical mistakes that still haunt us. But that doesn’t mean our eyes are safe from twitching when we hear words like "irregardless." A dozen popular mistakes have spread and infiltrated the vocabulary of many, much to the dismay of word lovers. Let’s explore some of these and hope we aren’t among the ones committing them! Read more

Ever looked at a map, saw a country name, and thought, "Wait, that’s not what we call it?" Well, you’re not alone! Many countries go by entirely different names in their native language, and some of them might even surprise you. So, we’ve come up with a game: You’ll find six countries’ original names and some clues for you to guess which country it is. In the second part of the article, we’ll provide the answer and the origins of the names. Are you up for the challenge? Read more

Some animals have commonly been given names that might lead you to believe false things about them. For example, as we all know, guinea pigs are not pigs, sea horses are not horses, and starfish are neither stars nor fish. So, how did these names come to be? While lookalike allegations may justify some, others are simply far-fetched. Is there any truth or reason behind these inaccurate nicknames—like "firefly"? Let’s explore 10 animal names that are, arguably, misnomers. Read more

According to history books, Rome fell more than 1,500 years ago, but it can be easily argued that the Empire's influence never truly waned. Beyond its majestic ruins, Rome left a legacy so intertwined with our modern world that we often fail to recognize how many of our daily conveniences stem from their unique vision and innovation. From public sanitation to bureaucracy, here are 10 surprising ways the Roman Empire continues to shape our lives today. Read more

The creation of new phrases, proverbs, and sayings is one of the most colorful aspects of language development. However, for this to happen, an essential ingredient is key: time. Therefore, through this article, we aim to offer curious readers interesting facts about the origins of figurative expressions related to this specific aspect of life. Continue reading to discover 10 popular idioms about time. Read more

NASA may be all about exploring space, but they have also improved life on Earth, did you know that? For example, the sneakers you use to go for a run every week, that’s NASA’s work. The agency’s innovations have made their way into our everyday routines in surprising ways. Even if you’ve never dreamed of being an astronaut, you’re probably using NASA-inspired tech right now! Let’s go through some everyday items that wouldn’t exist without those geniuses at NASA. Read more

Let’s travel back in time, all the way to our childhoods. Can you remember that magical time when playtime was the only thing that mattered? Those wonderful, countless hours spent playing and daydreaming with our friends? Still, we’d like to focus on a different type of memory: those unforgettable bedtime stories our loved ones used to read to us. With that in mind, we’ve decided to pay tribute to 10 of our favorite characters from children's books. With a bit of luck, you’ll be able to reconnect with your inner child and thank your favorite characters for all the fun times shared. Enjoy! Read more

Names carry not only identity but also cultural significance and are often tied to larger societal trends or even famous figures of each historical moment. And just like any other cultural trends or ideas, popular names come and go. However, some names have stood the test of time—whether forged in royal bloodlines or immortalized as literary icons—connecting us with our ancestors and, very likely, our descendants. Join us on this name safari and discover some of the most popular names throughout history! Read more