November 18, 2020
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- a source of dread or irritation more »
A Thing About Words: The Blog
‘Avoid Like the Plague’: A History
To “avoid [something] like the plague” refers to staying away from that thing as much as possible. The word plague itself rarely refers to actual plague or illness now, and has historically [...] more »
The Editors
Recent Videos
"Is None Singular or Plural?"
Or both? Or neither?
"How to Read a French Menu"
How to amuse-bouche without begging pardon for your French
"Bring vs. Take"
Both words imply motion, but the difference may be all in your head
"There, They're, Their"
There, there. We'll sort it out.
"Sneaked vs. Snuck"
How the irregular snuck sneaked into the dictionary
"2015 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes"
Editor Peter Sokolowski talks about our Word of the Year selections.
"Further vs. Farther"
They started as same word, but their meanings have drifted apart over time.
"Lay vs. Lie"
Tripping up English Speakers for 700 years.
"'Try and' vs. 'Try to'"
When you're not sure which is right, try to remember to use 'try to.'
"Is It 'Attorney Generals' Or 'Attorneys General'?"
'Poets laureate'? 'Court-martials'? The curious history of postpositive adjectives in English.
"Fun, Funner, Funnest"
Why does it sound strange to say 'funner' or 'funnest?'
"2014 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes"
The inside scoop behind our 2014 Word of the Year selections.
"How the Months Got Their Names"
December comes from the Latin word for "tenth." So then why is it our twelfth month?
"Webster's Dictionary of 1864"
The landmark edition that transformed the way dictionaries are made.
"Old-School Grammar"
Many of today's grammar rules can be traced to the opinions of one 18th century writer.
"Schwa"
The most common vowel sound in English causes many spelling problems.
"'It is I' vs. 'It's me'"
Which is right? The answer is complicated. ...
"Cynic"
How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit ...
"That vs. Which"
When to use each (and when not to get annoyed about their use).
"i.e. vs. e.g."
Often used, often confused. Here's some guidance and insight.
"Our Dictionary Through Time"
Webster's legendary editions - from 1828 through today.
"The Longest Word in the Dictionary"
It's not what you think, and here's the short, sweet reason why.
"Its vs. It's"
Some practical guidance, and interesting history, about a common mistake.
"Weird Plurals"
One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?
"Healthy vs. Healthful"
Why both words are equally good for you.
"Pictures in the Dictionary"
The story of those iconic illustrations.
"The Ampersand & More"
Where the "and" symbol comes from.
Quizzes
Top 10 Lists
A Handy Guide to Ruffians, Rapscallions, Cads & More
22 Charming Words for Nasty People
12 Words That Secretly Come from Body Parts
Anatomy As Etymology
Big Words on Campus
Words that Spike in Lookups When Students Return to School
English Words from Yiddish
Our Little List is Not the Whole Megillah, But it Ain't Bubkes