The Listener: Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, the Father of American Sign Language
When a minister and law student met a little girl named Alice, he became determined to help her communicate with the world.
When a minister and law student met a little girl named Alice, he became determined to help her communicate with the world.
Uncover why people yell “Geronimo!” when they jump—and what it has to do with a beer-fueled boast.
Some American slang is frickin' great. Others can be cringe. Real talk.
To English speakers, Irish is a tough language to master. But that doesn't mean you shouldn’t give it a try.
Pain don't hurt, but trying to understand the difference between remakes and reboots can.
Here’s everything you need to know about the meaning, origin, and evolution of the Irish word ‘craic.’
Explore the colorful world of slang terms for money, from ‘bacon’ to ‘moolah’ and beyond.
From ‘piece of cake’ to ‘the apple of my eye,’ these food-related phrases have fascinating histories.
Norway may not seem to have much in common with Texas, but when Norwegians want to express how wild and outrageous something is, they go straight for this state-based euphemism.
You may want to know the ghoulish beginnings of these well-known death idioms before you shuffle off this mortal coil, kick the bucket, or get laid out in lavender.
When people talk about a dog and pony show today, they usually mean a flashy presentation or event that's all about appearances, with little real substance. But where does this phrase come from, and what's its history?
Uncover the origins of the term ‘morgue’ in 18th-century Paris—and the morgue’s transformation from a place of spectacle to medical institute.
Discover the vibrant Irish culture through its language and slang. Learn key phrases to use on St. Paddy’s Day and beyond, from ‘craic’ and ‘sláinte’ to ‘céad míle fáilte’ and ‘may the road rise up to meet you.’
The classic 1964 film earned a stronger classification thanks to two uses of a racial slur.
Learn when to use historic vs. historical in English language. Find out the differences and similarities between the two terms.
Animals have always been important to the lives and livelihoods of humans, so it’s no wonder they've left a mark on language.
With his catchphrase ‘veni, vidi, vici,’ Julius Caesar was saying much more than simply “I came, I saw, I conquered."
Here are scores of words ending in ‘T’ that have never been the Wordle solution (yet).
Why do we expect bankrupt people to wear barrels, or bank robbers to carry money bags marked with dollar signs? Discover the origins of these odd visual clichés.
From "Where's Herb?" to "We Speak Fish," these fast food slogans didn't withstand the test of time.
Curious about Scottish slang? Learn the meanings of terms like ‘git awa’ and bile yer heid’ and impress your friends on your next visit to Scotland.
From “Milk Drinkers Turn to Powder” to “Indian Ocean Talks,” these funny news headlines will make you say, “Wait, what?”
Here are dozens of words ending in ‘O’ that have never been the Wordle solution (yet).
From pub sub to snowbird, here's the slang you need to know to sound like a local in the Sunshine State.