What Is the Longest Word in English? Hint: It’s 189,819 Letters Long
“I know the longest word in the whole English language,” Jimmy tells Jenny by the playground swings. “It’s antidisestablishmentarianism.” Jenny slurps up the last of her juice box, unimpressed. “Is...
View Article40 Funny Sayings That Are Definitely Worth Memorizing
When someone presents a very questionable viewpoint I’d agree with you, but then we’d both be wrong. If you love funny sayings like these, read these clever, funny comebacks you’ll wish you knew...
View Article6 Romantic Words with No English Equivalent
Saudade Pronunciation: saw•’dah•djee Origin: Portugese Definition: n., a strong feeling of missing someone you love. This may be one of the most romantic words ever spoken. Try to add this word into...
View Article75 Funny Words You’ve Never Heard Before
Friendlily No, it’s not misspelled. It sounds wrong, but—trust us—it’s right! Many weird words seem fake at first. Do you know what this one means? The definition: To do something in a friendly way....
View ArticleWhat If the Person Who Named Walkie Talkies Named Everything?
Let’s name things like the Walkie Talkie A few years back, Reddit user dirtknapp asked the Internet: “What would the person who named Walkie Talkies have named other things?” The answers went on for a...
View ArticleOnly English Majors Will Know These 26 Words from the Thesaurus
Spruce up your vocabulary The English language can be a beast. On top of its own linguistic foundation, it includes hundreds of borrowed words, from wanderlust (German) to ballet (French). Mix in...
View Article13 Funniest Words Added to the Dictionary in the Last Decade
How did these words make it into the dictionary? Language is used to decipher the world in which we live, and that world is ever-changing. So are the words we use to describe it. Dictionaries keep...
View Article10 Irritating Phrases You Should Stop Writing in Emails
“We need to …” Translation: XYZ needs to be done, but … I’m not actually going to come out and directly tell any of you to do it. The post 10 Irritating Phrases You Should Stop Writing in Emails...
View Article18 Words for Things You Never Knew Had a Name
Aglet The plastic covering on the end of a shoelace is an aglet. They make it easy for laces to wave through your shoes without unraveling. In ancient Rome, wealthy people made their aglets out of...
View Article11 Funny Animal Names That Don’t Sound Real (But Are)
Zebroid Well, you can’t beat these funny animal names. You know how a zebra has stripes? Just imagine those black and white streaks across half the body of a regular equine creature. That’s what can...
View Article9 Everyday Idioms You’re Getting Wrong
What is an idiom? If you’re going to live in the United States or converse with English speakers, you’ll need to master our most commonly used idioms. What’s an idiom, you ask? Google.com’s handy...
View ArticleThe Surprising Meaning Behind These 8 Really Weird Words
Yes… Even prairie dogs do it. The post The Surprising Meaning Behind These 8 Really Weird Words appeared first on Reader's Digest.
View ArticleHere’s Where Your Favorite Slang Words Actually Came From
Legit Most people may think this word originated with MC Hammer after he released his 1991 hit, “2 Legit 2 Quit,” but it actually showed up during the later half of the 19th century in theater groups....
View Article10 Old-Fashioned Words That Make You Sound Smart
Freck Definition: Verb—”To move swiftly or nimbly” Usage: The only way to survive the streets of New York City is to freck through the crowds, especially the slow movers, and never turn around. The...
View Article13 Hilarious Examples of How Not to Use a Thesaurus
Do you reach for your thesaurus as a surefire way to sound smarter (or irrefragably phrenic?) Watch out. Misuses of words (and other malaprops) can make you sound like you’re trying too hard and...
View ArticleWe Now Know What SOS Really Stands For
“Save Our Ship!” “Save Our Souls!” “Save On Socks (at Sal’s Irregular Sock Emporium)!” These are all things that “SOS,” the international abbreviation for distress, does not stand for. Best known for...
View Article12 Quirky Words That Don’t Have An English Translation — but Totally Should
Tingo To borrow objects one by one from a neighbor’s house until there is nothing left. (Pascuense language of Easter Island) We can predict where you grew up based on how you say these 9 words. The...
View Article30 Hilarious Made Up Words You’ll Want to Start Using
“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean— neither more nor less.” —Through the Looking Glass I agree with Mr. Dumpty: Words have...
View Article10 Funny Vintage Slang Words People Should Start Using Again
Mutton Shunter Definition: Policeman Usage: “Is the President in town or something? There’s mutton shunters on every blasted corner!” If you like vintage words, you’ll also enjoy the origins of popular...
View Article10 Place Names You’ve Been Pronouncing All Wrong
Boise, Idaho There’s no surer way to mark yourself as an outsider in potato country than by pronouncing it BOY-zee. The locals say BOY-see, thanks very much! They may still let you buy some of their...
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