Light-hearted conversation with callers from all over about new words, old sayings, slang, family ex
Bathroom walls, missing graffiti, and social media. Where have all the cute quips on bathroom stalls
The language of restaurant menus. Need a dictionary to get through a dinner menu? Research shows the
If you’re on tenterhooks, it means you’re in a state of anxious anticipation or suspense. But what I
First names like “Patience,” “Hope,” and “Charity” are inspired by worthy qualities. But how about “
Starting this year, Scripps National Spelling Bee contestants not only have to spell words correctly
Have a question about objective pronouns? Whom ya gonna call? Wait–is that right? Or would it be “wh
Today’s most popular dog names are Max and Bella. In the Middle Ages, though, dogs would answer to n
It’s the Up Goer Five Challenge! Try to describe something complex using only the thousand most comm
Remember a few years ago when Amazon introduced that mysterious device called a Kindle? People worri
When somebody sneezes, we say bless you or gesundheit. But suppose that person coughs. Are you suppo
Giving your baby an unusual moniker may seem like a great idea at the time. But what if you have sec
What’s so special about the phrase Sit on a pan, Otis? It’s an example of a palindrome — a word or p
The SAT is changing things up, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Just because words like membr
It used to be that you called any mixed-breed dog a mutt. But at today's dog parks, you're just as l
Forensic linguists use what they know about speech and writing to testify in courtrooms. And get out
If everyone on the planet spoke a single language, wouldn't that make life a whole lot easier? For t
Springtime is the right time to feel twitterpated—you know, you’re smitten beyond a crush. Speaking
Is it cheating to say you’ve read a book if you only listened to it on tape? Over the centuries, the
You’re at a social gathering and meet someone you’d like to know better. What do you ask to get a re
The Pope is tweeting in Latin! But can an ancient language adapt to a world of selfies and hashtags?
