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We all feel scared sometimes, right? But phobias aren't simple fears; They represent a type of irrational and strong fear of objects, situations, or activities that can cause intense feelings of anxiety. Some are very frequent, such as arachnophobia (fear of spiders) or claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces). However, there are many other phobias that are not only rare but also have some of the strangest names. Have you ever heard of chaetophobia? Do you know the term for mirror phobia? If you want to discover 10 uncommon phobias and the origin of their names, read on! Read more

Thanks to etymology, the science that studies the origins of words, we can learn how and when certain terms began to be used and why they are popular today. Did you know that the concept of brunch has existed since the 19th century? And that we owe the word clue to the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur? Would you like to discover these and other curious origins of common words we use on a daily basis? Keep reading! Read more

As masters of language, writers sometimes find that their imagination and creativity go far beyond the vocabulary the world has to offer. In order to put their ideas into writing, they have to create new words that eventually become part of the dictionary. Here are 10 terms and expressions used in modern language that you probably didn’t know were invented by famous writers. Read more

In the fast-paced world of technology, few inventions stand the test of time. Once-trendy gadgets and innovations have now become relics of the past, overshadowed by newer and more efficient products. Read more

Whether you love getting outside to watch birds in their natural habitat or prefer staying indoors with a good book, this article has something for everyone. In everyday conversations, we often use many phrases that feature our feathered friends as the main characters. From the famous "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" to some lesser-known expressions, today we're exploring the meanings and origins of 10 fun bird-related idioms that also teach us valuable lessons. Read more

From milliners and stevedores to knocker-ups and fletchers, time has taken away a good number of trades. Social, economic, and technological changes, along with the emergence of new consumer habits, have led to the disappearance of certain jobs that were once popular and profitable. Here is a list of 10 English words describing occupations and professions that are rare or have become obsolete but will certainly leave you speechless. Read more

Have you ever wondered how octopuses live? How do they hunt, feed, and escape predators? They may not be the cutest animals on Earth, but it turns out they are able to do incredible things! Recent discoveries have revealed that octopuses are much more intelligent than we ever thought. These creatures can evaluate options, strategize, and even recognize other animals, including humans! If you want to learn more, join us as we reveal these 10 surprising secrets about the life of octopuses! Read more

Motivational and common-use phrases have been embedded in the fabric of our lives forever and social media has done nothing but increase their already ubiquitous presence just about everywhere. And, as everything that is infinitely repeated, they end up losing their original meaning and sense. The following well-known phrases and quotes have deep meanings that we will attempt to uncover. So, stick around and see if one of these bumper sticker phrases means something different than you think it does! Read more

The world of sailing is steeped in customs, beliefs, and superstitions. It's understandable; the sea can be unpredictable, so seeking ways to attract or preserve good fortune makes sense. Read more

Translations have made it possible for us to access an endless amount of information available in the world. And for many professionals in the field, there are no such things are "untranslatable" words. However, languages have a way of putting a whole concept within a few letters assembled together and even though we can describe it, there are no direct translations that make it possible to transfer all the glory behind them. So, we’ve gathered 10 words from different languages that show how each language has a charm of its own. Read more

Individual words combined in a certain way result in metaphorical phrases with a new meaning, different from the one they have by themselves. These phrases are called idioms and can originate from different contexts and situations. In this case, we have cherry-picked 10 expressions related to plants and flowers that will make you want to go outside and smell the roses! Read more

A song can be great because of its music, its lyrics, or both. Maybe we heard a tune and a certain line spoke to us because it resonated with a particular situation, or because we found it to be funny or insightful. Some lyrics are celebrated since their birth, and some are discovered ages after the artist who penned them is long gone. The following 10 examples fit into the different categories listed above. Which one is which? The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind. Read more

While a cake can be a common, modest sweet treat for everyday situations, this kind of preparation is usually made to mark special occasions or to enjoy as a delicacy in tea houses. And, as such, some of these confections can get quite fancy. Some of its notable exponents have ambitious names like Chiffon Cake or Angel Food Cake—names that attempt to express with words the flavor experience these treats provide. Follow us as we uncover the meaning behind some of these delicious names! Read more

We know it's hard to keep up with the trends all the time. On the streets and in the media, new music, dance moves, hair and clothing styles, apps, or even new flavors are constantly emerging. But also new words! Gen Z people have found original and clever ways to name all kinds of everyday things and situations. If you want to stay up to date with the latest slang, don't miss this article with 10 today's terms and expressions! Read more

In modern English, around half of all words are borrowed from other languages, including French, Italian, Spanish, and even Yiddish. A few terms from this Germanic language, written in the Hebrew alphabet, have made their way into the American vocabulary by descendants of Yiddish-speaking immigrants who couldn’t find any English words to better describe what they were trying to express. Did you know that maven, glitch, and lox have Yiddish origins? Join us to discover 10 amazing words derived from Yiddish! Read more

While some names can be self-explanatory, there are countless art movements with names that only make sense when put in context. What is Abstract Expressionism? Or Dadaism? In the following lines, we attempt to shed light on the origins of some of these names. Scroll down and learn a thing or two about the world of art! Read more

We all love hamburgers, and wieners, but have you ever stopped and wondered how some of your favorite foods got their names? Many of the dishes we enjoy today are named after the places they came from or through some historical twist of fate. We’ll call these "food toponyms" because they tell us about the food itself, and the regions, cities, and people that helped shape its history. Let’s take a flavorful trip around the globe, exploring how 10 famous foods got their geographic names! Read more

Even though every profession has its own lingo, few are as colorful as the nautical ones. Maybe it has to do with the sea breeze or the adventurous nature of the people who dared to spend a long time at sea at a time when neither medicine nor safety were very advanced. In any case, the sea has always been a treasure trove of specific terms, and the ancient whaling profession had quite a few idioms of its own. In the following list, we embark on a voyage across ten of these terms. So, scroll on and learn a thing or two, sailor! Read more

Not all medical conditions sound as serious as they are, but others… Others have names that seem straight out of science fiction tales. However, rest assured, they are all very real. From conditions that turn you into Sleeping Beauty to disorders that leave you feeling like an alien in your own skin, we’ve gathered 10 medical conditions whose names will leave you scratching your head. Keep reading and find out about these illnesses with weird names! Read more

It's time to face it: when we're talking or writing, it's easy to fall into the habit of repeating the same words. Certain nouns, verbs, and adjectives predominate in our daily conversations, whether we're being formal or just chatting. If you're writing an essay or an article, or want to communicate with your friends more originally, keep reading! Today, we're going to revisit some fresh, fun, and super useful synonyms for 10 words we tend to overuse. Let's go for it! Read more