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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Did the Trump Administration Send 18 Tons of PPE to China in Early 2020?
Critics have questioned the wisdom of exporting to China medical supplies that would soon be vitally needed in the U.S.
Did Trump Administration Fire the US Pandemic Response Team?
As a new coronavirus spread in 2020, so did concerns about the United States' preparedness for a potential pandemic.
Will Dangerous Cosmic Rays Pass Close to Earth ‘Tonight’?
This claim has been around for years and makes no scientific sense whatsoever.
Did Nostradamus Predict the COVID-19 Pandemic?
If only people recognized "predictions" before the calamitous events they supposedly anticipate.
Is Hobby Lobby Refusing To Close Stores Because of a Message from God?
Hobby Lobby reportedly sent a letter to employees explaining its stores were staying open during the COVID-19 pandemic because, in part, CEO David Green's wife had received reassurances from God.