Imagine it: you’re sitting around the table for family game night, and your father belts out “winner winner chicken dinner!”. Your other family members all groan and hand him their play-money, but you’re still stuck on that phrase. What exactly does this phrase mean, and where did it come from? Let’s dive in and get …
The US is such a huge and diverse country, with 50 states that span from coast to coast, and from the chilly north to the sunny south. Each state has its own mix of beautiful scenery, fascinating history, and unique traditions that make it a great place to visit or call home. No matter whether …
If you’ve heard a friend, TV character, or musician use the term “yiy” and are wondering what they mean, you’ve come to the right place. “Yiy” is the Jamaican word for “eye.” The language spoken in Jamaica is known as Patois, which bears a strong resemblance to the Creole language that is spoken in parts …
This movie is catering towards fans and leaving the rest of us out in the cold. The author’s latest book catered towards women and children. If you associate “catering” with food, you might be especially confused what food has to do with movies or books. But are the movie maker and author in question actually …
Regular readers of this blog know that there are plenty of weird English words. That’s because, like any language, English phrases are often metaphorical in nature. Some even have their origins in misunderstandings that have since become standard. Sometimes, though, English phrases are just what they seem. How do you use “attention to detail” …
Every time we confront problems concerning language, especially those that involve apostrophes, we feel like drifting out in a stormy, open sea. Desperately flailing our arms around, grasping for anything to help us breathe. It’s a case of swim or sink; we must learn in order to survive. But don’t despair, hope isn’t out of …
“Do” and “make” are two similar verbs in English, but they can cause so much confusion among students – sometimes, among teachers too. When do we use “do”? How about “make”? Can we use them interchangeably? These are but some of the most pressing questions asked about these words. As we explore this subject, we …
New Year is that particular time when people start using a new calendar and the present calendar’s year count increases by one. As soon as the countdown of the last seconds of the current year ticks off to zero, well-wishers greet their loved ones with “Happy New Year!” Yet, there are those who choose to …
Abbreviations related to eras like “BCE” and “BC” can be intimidating at first glance, leading us to want to skip them while reading. But is there really a difference between “BCE” and “CE”? And if there is, which should we choose? Let this article help you out of your confusion. What is the difference …