Did the Merriam-Webster Dictionary Just Recognize ‘Irregardless’ as a Word?
This long-used word has been the bane of many a pedant.
Latest in Language
Does ‘Quarantine’ Originate from the Word ‘Forty’ (Days) in Italian?
A "quarantine" separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.
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.
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.'
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Did U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris’ Ancestor Own Slaves in Jamaica?
Based on an article written by the 2020 presidential Democratic primary candidate's father, right-leaning opponents dove head-first into an ill-judged attack on her.
Is This a Photo of Alaska’s ‘Sleeping Lady’ Mountain?
"The giant woman fell asleep waiting for her beloved to return from battle, unaware that he had been killed."
Is Kamala Harris Not Eligible to Serve as U.S. President?
The requirements for serving as U.S. President were established over 200 years ago and haven't changed much since.
Did Trump Vow to ‘Terminate’ Social Security?
The president articulated several different plans for payroll taxes during a press conference at his golf club in August 2020.
Can You Get Legionnaires’ Disease from Face Masks?
Rumors about masks are getting more creative, but health experts still recommend wearing cloth face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19.