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Barf, Funk, Tug, and Other Etymological Mysteries

Barf, Funk, Tug, and Other Etymological Mysteries

Joshua Blackburn Explores the Centuries-Long Evolution of the English Language

By Joshua Blackburn | October 20, 2025

How to Build a Dictionary: On the Hard Art of Popular Lexicography

How to Build a Dictionary: On the Hard Art of Popular Lexicography

Ilan Stavans and Peter Gilliver Discuss the Philosophical and Pragmatic Aspects of the Oxford English Dictionary

By Ilan Stavans | September 29, 2025

On the Particular Joys of Etymological Detective Work

On the Particular Joys of Etymological Detective Work

Martha Barnette Explores the Shared Proto-Indo-European Origins of a Diverse Group of Modern Languages

By Martha Barnette | August 6, 2025

“Bookworm, Cliché, Deadline...” And Other Unexpected Etymologies

“Bookworm, Cliché, Deadline...” And Other Unexpected Etymologies

David Crystal Explores the Unlikely Stories Behind Some Common Turns of Phrase

By David Crystal | June 27, 2025

Here are some new literary portmanteaus to use alongside romantasy and cli-fi.

Here are some new literary portmanteaus to use alongside romantasy and cli-fi.

By James Folta | April 15, 2025

Winter is Here: On the Chilling Effect of Elon Musk and Donald Trump

Winter is Here: On the Chilling Effect of Elon Musk and Donald Trump

Rob Spillman Worries About the Growing Specter of Self-Censorship

By Rob Spillman | February 13, 2025

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Books of the Week

Why I make a very dumb, ranked list of the 100 words I use most every year.

By James Folta | January 9, 2025

A Brief History of the Most Famous Swear Word in the World

By Jesse Sheidlower | November 5, 2024

How Babies and Young Children Learn to Understand Language

By Steven Mithen | June 20, 2024

Yes, But Can You Really Explain the Difference Between Morals and Ethics?

Yes, But Can You Really Explain the Difference Between Morals and Ethics?

Eli Burnstein on the Subtle Nuances of the English Language

By Eli Burnstein | April 12, 2024

What is Left Unsaid: How Some Words Do—Or Don't—Make It Into Print

What is Left Unsaid: How Some Words Do—Or Don't—Make It Into Print

Sarah Ogilvie on Alexander John Ellis, the Man Behind the Oxford English Dictionary

By Sarah Ogilvie | October 23, 2023

You can now look up the definitions of

You can now look up the definitions of "nepo baby" and "shower orange" on dictionary.com.

By Emily Temple | September 6, 2023

Apple will finally stop ducking up all your expletive-laced text messages.

Apple will finally stop ducking up all your expletive-laced text messages.

By Jessie Gaynor | June 8, 2023

Oh no: the children’s word of the year is ... “anxiety.”

Oh no: the children’s word of the year is ... “anxiety.”

By Walker Caplan | January 18, 2022

What obscure words should we bring back into daily use?

What obscure words should we bring back into daily use?

By Jonny Diamond | January 11, 2022

In Search of Words for the Most Obscure Sorrows

In Search of Words for the Most Obscure Sorrows

John Koenig on the Project of Capturing the Subtleties of Human Emotion

By John Koenig | November 23, 2021

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