Even if you’re not a full-blown grammar nerd, you’ll find the origins of these words that changed meaning over time completely fascinating The English language is alive—and like any living thing, it ...

Thanks to the evolution of language, technology, and lots of hyperbole, these words used to convey a lot more merit, emotion, or simply seriousness than they do nowadays. Ah, “genius.” Once reserved ...

Words like "bat," "desert," "wind," and "clip" all have multiple meanings but are confusingly spelled the same way.

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives. From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered ...

You're currently following this author! Want to unfollow? Unsubscribe via the link in your email. Like many languages, English borrows words and phrases from others. The etymology behind things we say ...

Words matter. They have power; the power to define us, our stories, our relationships. They are how we make meaning of our experiences and sense of our world. It is easy to assume others share our ...

Word of the Day: Discover 'sesquipedalian,' a word that perfectly embodies its meaning by being long itself. Originating from ...

Language is ever-changing. New words are constantly being added to the dictionary, and some definitions even shift over time.

Iconoclast refers to someone who challenges traditions and accepted beliefs. Learn its meaning, origin, usage and examples with this easy vocabulary guide.