LANGUAGE

The trends range from “fast fashion” to “baby names, literally” and beyond.

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

One theory suggests that we call liquor “spirits” because of alcohol’s association with one spirit in particular: the Holy Spirit. But there are other possible origins.

You have Tinseltown to thank for phrases like ‘cut to the chase’ and ‘jump the shark.’

Plus, a simple trick that will help you identify most true cases of the passive voice. (Hint: It involves zombies.)

Would a scarecrow by any other name scare as many crows?

There are lots of UK place names—and plenty of surprises in store.

From phrasal verbs to loanwords, here's how English speakers repeat themselves without realizing it.

Both are places where we bury the dearly departed, and the words are often used interchangeably. But that hasn’t always been the case.

This spooky season, be able to tell your bugaboos from your tommyknockers.

The phrase made famous by ‘Good Will Hunting’ is much older than the 1997 film—and doesn’t have anything to do with actual apples.

Can you deduce what letters are missing and figure out the word?