An American university has banned the expression ‘no worries’. Here are some other words and phrases that confuse speakers of different versions of English.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Articles on Etymology
Displaying all articles
The Old English history of bird names can inform our modern-day birdwatching.
From ‘turkey trot’ to ‘going cold turkey,’ the centerpiece to many Thanksgiving dinners has lent its name to many things. But it also borrowed its name from elsewhere.
A scholar of spelling bees explains why Zaila Avant-garde’s victory at the National Scripps Spelling Bee is significant from a historical perspective.
How words are used change over time and insisting that their original meaning be adhered to is pretty silly.
The etymology of an epidemic.
Behind the magical tale is a deep layer of linguistic meaning.
Ladybirds do not have tails because they have no backbones.
If you see moths and their larvae near your clothes, it’s a sign that it’s time to wash all your clothes and air them out in the sun.
The word Squ-w has an innocent origin, but its use in English has long been derogatory and racist. Place names which use this word should be changed.
Some 18 elements have had placeholder names derived from the Latin to stop scientists fighting over what their discoveries should be called.
Understanding the meaning of the word science has changed over time, but the goals to produce and share knowledge remains the same.
Top contributors
-
Professor of English Language and Literature, University of Oxford
-
Professor of Science Communication and Chemistry, University of Hull
-
Editor-in-Chief of the South African Journal of Science and Consultant, Vice Principal for Research and Graduate Education, University of Pretoria
-
Professor of Anthropology and Asian American Studies, Northwestern University
-
Associate Professor of Linguistics, University of Calgary
-
Molecular Systematist, CSIRO
-
PhD student, Massey University
-
Professor of English, Rutgers University - Newark
-
Senior lecturer in English language, University of Winchester
