What do the expressions “dead ringer” and “saved by the bell” have to do with death? ☠️ Although often linked to spooky stories of people being buried alive, their actual origins might surprise you. Join author and language expert @jesszafarris as she explores the etymology of these everyday idioms! Do you know the history behind any other English expressions? #Etymology #WordOrigins #LanguageHistory #Idioms #Linguistics #WordNerd #EnglishLanguage

Sometimes you just need to ratiocinate your way through a particularly puzzling problem! 🧩 “Ratiocinate,” our #WordOfTheDay, means to reason or carry out a process of reasoning. It traces back to the Latin “ratio,” which was associated with reckoning, calculating, planning, and reasoning. Can you use it in a sentence?

Today's #WordOfTheDay is ratiocinate. Learn more about this word: bit.ly/4hgOGh2

He kept talking about how much his possessions cost, which made him come across as bit of a parvenu. Our #WordOfTheDay, “parvenu” refers to someone who has recently acquired wealth or social standing but lacks the expected refinement. It joins French-derived expressions such as “nouveau riche” and “arriviste.” What other French word adds flair to English?

Today's #WordOfTheDay is parvenu. Learn more about this word: bit.ly/4rFVRCY

"Hackneyed" describes something so overused that it feels stale or unoriginal. 🥱 What's something that feels hackneyed to you? #DelightfullyCuriousWords #WordOfTheWeek #LearnNewWords #LanguageLovers

Some images are so memetic that a single glance brings dozens of captions to mind. Today's #WordOfTheDay “memetic” means of or relating to memes. Although “meme” was coined in the 1970s to describe ideas or behaviors transmitted through imitation, the internet gave the word an entirely new life. What's another internet culture word?

Today's #WordOfTheDay is memetic. Learn more about this word: bit.ly/3VfKZzt

Crispate leaves can give a plant an almost ruffled appearance. 🌿 Our #WordOfTheDay, “crispate,” means having curly or wavy edges, especially when describing a leaf. Botanists use “margin” for the edge of a leaf and have plenty of precise words to describe its shape. What’s another delightfully specific nature word?

Today's #WordOfTheDay is crispate. Learn more about this word: bit.ly/4dyLURO

An estimable achievement deserves plenty of recognition. 👏 “Estimable,” our #WordOfTheDay, means deserving respect or admiration. It originally meant “capable of being estimated” before developing the sense of being appraised highly. Who is someone estimable in your network? Send this to them!

Today's #WordOfTheDay is estimable. Learn more about this word: bit.ly/47jid3w

From politics to pop culture, we track how language shows up in the headlines each week. These are the words shaping the news. dictionary.com/articles/this… #ThisWeekInWords

Today's #WordOfTheDay is ipseity. Learn more about this word: bit.ly/4rzx7fp

Even the most lily-livered visitor might find the courage to enter a haunted house. 👻 “Lily-livered,” our #WordOfTheDay, means weak or lacking in courage. It comes from the old belief that the liver was the seat of courage, making a pale or “lily-white” liver a sign of cowardice. How many synonyms for “cowardly” can you name?

Today's #WordOfTheDay is lily-livered. Learn more about this word: bit.ly/4iKHmv9

A toasted sippet is the perfect companion for a warm bowl of soup. 🍲 Today's #WordOfTheDay “sippet” refers to a small piece of bread (or something similar) used for dipping into liquid food. Fittingly, “sippet,” “sop,” and “soup” are all etymologically connected! What other food words have etymological connections? 🍞

Today's #WordOfTheDay is sippet. Learn more about this word: bit.ly/4hyVoOm

The invitations have been sent. Which one gave you chills? 🕯️ dictionary.com/articles/haun… Our #HauntingHooks contest entrants crafted eerie story openings inspired by “The Invitation” in 50 words or fewer. 🗳️ Now help us choose the Fan’s Choice winner! Read the selected entries and vote for your favorite October 15–27 at the link above! #WritingContest #HorrorWriting #ScaryStories #CreativeWriting #WritingCommunity #HalloweenWriting

A windshield survey can reveal a lot about a neighborhood without requiring anyone to leave the car. 🚗 Our #WordOfTheDay, “windshield survey,” is a quick community assessment conducted by driving through an area and observing what can be seen from the car. What other specialized term sounds surprisingly literal?