Was the First Known Use of ‘OMG’ Written in a Letter to Churchill?
Many may assume the term "OMG" originated with teens and smart phones.
Latest in Language
Why Is It ‘Cancelled’ in the UK, But ‘Canceled’ in America?
Is it true that extraneous letters were dropped from certain words in American English because newspapers charged by the letter for advertising?
Etymology of ‘Tag’
How factual is the claim that the name of the children's game 'tag' originated as the acronym of 'touch and go'?
Fascism, Corporations, and Merriam-Webster
A popular meme repeated confused and inaccurate claims about the purported links between fascism and modern corporations.
Did the Phrase ‘a Shot of Whiskey’ Originate in the Old West?
Anecdotal reports say the expression "a shot of whiskey" came into being when cowboys traded bullets for liquor in Old West saloons.
Is ‘Covfefe’ a Word in Arabic? Yiddish? ‘Antediluvian’?
After President Donald Trump mistyped (then deleted) a tweet, some hurried to ascribe meanings to the mistyped word "covfefe."
The Origins of 420
The story of how the code '420' entered drug parlance as a term signifying the time to light up a joint.
Origins of the Guillotine
Dr. Joseph Guillotin neither invented the guillotine nor was executed with one of those machines.
Etymology of Sirloin
The cut of steak known as "sirloin" is not so named because an English king once knighted a piece of beef.
The Definition of ‘Trumpery’
Spoiler alert: The dictionary definition of the word 'trumpery' employs such expressions as 'deceit,' 'fraud,' and 'showy but worthless.'
The History of the Middle Finger
The 'middle finger salute' did not derive from the defiant gestures of English archers whose fingers had been severed at the Battle of Agincourt.
Always a Bridesmaid, Never a Bride
Common usage of the phrase "Always a bridesmaid but never a bride" originated with an advertising campaign for Listerine brand mouthwash.
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Is Al Roker Leaving the ‘Today’ Show?
"Today" show fans have been anxious that the popular co-host is leaving.
Did Hillary Clinton Post Condolences for Tulsi Gabbard’s Suicide One Day Early?
A routine review of content labeled satire.
No, This Isn’t Video of the Crash That Killed Kobe Bryant
The basketball legend's death stunned the world.
Was TV Host Bill Nye Arrested for Manufacturing and Selling Illegal Drugs?
A routine review of content labeled satire.
Did Pelosi Use $15,000 Worth of Pens to Sign Articles of Impeachment?
The tradition of using multiple pens to sign important legislation, and then giving those pens to the people involved, has been practiced by politicians for decades.