This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them. Well, “comrade,” I bet you always thought that word comes ...

This article is part of our Summer reads series. Visit the full collection for book lists, guest essays and more seasonal distractions. IN 1786 WILLIAM JONES, a British civil servant in Calcutta, told ...

English Language Day 2025 is observed on April 23, a date chosen to honour both the birth and death anniversary of the legendary playwright and poet William Shakespeare, who is widely regarded as one ...

Francesco Perono Cacciafoco does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant ...

Mr. Stavans is the Lewis-Sebring professor at Amherst College and a consultant to the Oxford English Dictionary. He is the author of the forthcoming book “The People’s Tongue: Americans and the ...

Emily Reed does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their ...

The English language is a joy to behold, but a beast to learn. In addition to its numerous irregularities, there’s a plethora of phrases and idioms that seem to make no sense to non-native speakers.