What is the difference between a real word and a made-up word? OK, admittedly all words are made-up. We should probably ask what it takes to transform a newly manufactured word into […]
The Quest to Add Orbisculate to the Dictionary
We Don’t Have the Word, But We All Know Someone To Whom it Applies
Backpfeifengesicht is a German word referring to a face badly in need of a fist.
Have You Ever Felt a Tartle?
Have you ever started to introduce someone, only to have a moment of panic as your brain freezes and you can’t remember that person’s name? Thanks to the people of Scotland, you […]
Ultracrepidarian: A Person Who Speaks Beyond Expertise
Originally posted on installect:
Ultracrepidarian The only thing worse than receiving criticism on a piece of your work is when that person doing the criticizing has no idea what they are talking about.…
The Latest Gossip About What to Call Someone Who Gossips
We all know that person who just has to have the latest news — good or bad — about everyone. You might think of that person as a busybody or a gossip. […]
Learn the Meaning of Mamihlapinatapai and Say a Mouthful
When you want to say a mouthful with just one word, you can do it with “Mamihlapinatapai.” Coming from the Yaghan language of Tierra del Fuego, it refers to “a look that […]
Do You Need Your Own Growlery?
Have you ever found yourself in a bad mood and wished you had a place where you could go to get away from everyone? Perhaps you live with someone who is prone […]
A Word for Self-Inflicted Haircuts
As of this writing, much of the world is forced to stay at home, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With no easy access to barbershops and hairstylists, many of us are contemplating […]
A Word for Book Collectors
Do you have a tendency to collect books but never get around to reading them? The Japanese have a word for you: tsundoku. Read more words we need. Read more fun facts about […]
Peruse Perplexing Pangrams Perfectly Penned to Please
Anyone who has taken a class on typing (or keyboarding, as it is now known), has encountered the sentence, “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” In typing that word, […]
Are You Suffering from Politikerleden?
Have you ever found yourself so fed up with politics and everything about it that you find yourself unable to express yourself? If so, you may wish to borrow a word from […]
A Word for the Next Time You Drive
Have you ever been at a loss for words because of the bad driving skills of another motorist? The Germans have come to the rescue with deppenfahrerbeaugung. It literally translates as “moron […]
More Words We Need in English
As rich as the English language is, there are plenty of words in other languages that English has not yet adopted. In addition to these that have already appeared on these […]
Maybe Just One More Bite…
You may not have used the word before, but it’s quite likely that you have experienced it. Shemomedjamo is a Georgian word for when you’re really full, but you can’t stop eating because […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 