Our modern English word "Noel" is derived from the Middle English word nowel and means "a shout of joy or Christmas song." ...
Find the answer for Quaint word meaning frequently from the people who brought you the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Even if you’re not a full-blown grammar nerd, you’ll find the origins of these words that changed meaning over time completely fascinating The English language is alive—and like any living thing, ...
Merriam-Webster announced its 2024 Word of the Year. Ironically, it is something on which many would agree. The dictionary and publishing company announced the word of the year and list of other ...
The word “labyrinthine” is an adjective that means something that is intricate and confusing. It can also mean something that is irregular and twisting. The word “labyrinthine” is pronounced /la-br-IN ...
Occasionally you will encounter someone with an etymological axe to grind. They insist that a certain word has to mean just what it meant hundreds of years ago when it was first spoken: For ...
Thanks to the evolution of language, technology, and lots of hyperbole, these words used to convey a lot more merit, emotion, or simply seriousness than they do nowadays. Ah, “genius.” Once reserved ...
Effective communication lies at the heart of human connection. It helps us collaborate with each other, solve problems and ...
Decades after I began writing about language, there are still words I avoid out of fear I’ll use them wrong. And worse: Some of these are terms I’ve learned, written about, then promptly forgotten.