Words

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The word traces back to a heartbreaking myth of unrequited love, loss, and a voice that could never truly be heard.

More than 2,000 years ago, the myth of Narcissus gave us a word we still use today. Here’s the story behind “narcissist.”

The term 'gaslighting' dates back to a 1938 play. Here's what gaslighting means, what it's not how to recognize the signs, and what to do if you are being gaslit.

How did this awkwardly unwelcome "third" come to be referred to as a "wheel"?

The phrase "elephant in the room" wasn't always about awkward topics. Here's how the idiom evolved over the past two centuries.

The phrase sounds straightforward, but its history is filled with surprising twists and competing meanings.

There are 25 countries in the world that end with an 'N.' Think you can name every single one of them? Take our deceivingly difficult geography quiz to find out.

Ernest Hemingway is famous for his drinking, but he never said "write drunk, edit sober." Discover the true, surprising origin of this legendary literary myth.

The word "mentor" has its roots in Greek mythology. Discover how a loyal friend of Odysseus—and the goddess Athena—gave us the modern term.

The word traces back more than 2,700 years to the adventures of the hero Odysseus.

Improve your Wordle skills with a list of five-letter words ending in A, including common and lesser-known options.

These common English words—including "siren," "echo," and "narcissism"—all have roots in ancient Greek mythology.

From 'flutterbudget' to 'sadiron', we’re decoding eight words from the new "Little House on the Prairie" series that have vanished from modern English.

From "gaslighting" and "love" to "fascism" and "empathy," these are the words people are most curious about in every U.S. state, according to Google search data.

People have been crashing out since ancient times, but the term has evolved in recent years. Here's the history of the term, and where it originated.

That motivational Henry David Thoreau quote might actually be a dupe. From "go confidently in the direction of your dreams" to "happiness is like a butterfly," these lines were never said by Thoreau at all.

Accidents, the search for immortality, and war may have all played roles in the development of these aerial attractions. Here's how the word "fireworks" came to be.

The origins of the phrase "straight from the horse's mouth" are debated, but might have something to do with betting on horse races.

You may have heard it on ‘The Bear’ or another food service show. Here’s what “86” means and why restaurants use the term.

From "I used to think I was the strangest person in the world..." to "You deserve a lover who wants you disheveled," we’re debunking the most popular quotes frequently misattributed to Frida Kahlo.