by Dictionary Scoop Cowboys in the Old West not only tamed the inhospitable land, but they also forged their own language. They created unrefined similes and metaphors, broke the rules of grammar, flooded figures of speech with humor, and made a verb out of anything. In this article, we review 12 expressions we …
Category Archives: language
Money Talks, But Sometimes It Talks Funny
by Dictionary Scoop Some don’t like to talk money, but still, there is no shortage of money-related sayings, phrases, and idioms. Here are the origins and meanings of ten fun expressions about money, 1-Burning a hole in your pocket We could divide most people into two groups: On one side, those who know how to save, look …
Continue reading “Money Talks, But Sometimes It Talks Funny”
Facts About Languages Around The World
by Dictionary Scoop Language is like a passport to the world; it connects us, teaches us, and sometimes leaves us scratching our heads. With more than 7,000 languages spoken globally, the world of words is full of surprises and stories. If you are a language lover, these 13 facts about languages will keep your curiosity …
False Cognates Are Language Landmines
by Dictionary Scoop Ever encountered a word in another language that seemed familiar but left you confused? False cognates—words that appear similar but have unrelated meanings—are the culprits. These false friends can sometimes lead to hilarious or embarrassing misunderstandings, especially for language learners. Here are ten examples that demonstrate just how deceptive languages …
Words Whose Standard Spelling Has Changed
by Dictionary Scoop Just as a river constantly flows yet maintains its continuity, languages change and evolve over time. Words can shift in spelling, alter their meanings, or branch into entirely new concepts while retaining the essence that once defined them. Even in modern times, with dictionaries and education standardizing pronunciations and definitions, notable differences …
Continue reading “Words Whose Standard Spelling Has Changed”
Hand Gestures: More Than Words Can Say
by Dictionary Scoop Hand gestures are everywhere. Whether expressing emotions, adding context to our words, or simply enhancing spoken communication, gestures are a vital part of our shared culture, passed down through generations for centuries. From ancient Rome to the modern day, here are 12 hand gestures and their origins explained. 1-Thumbs up The exact origins …
Surprising Origins Of Ten Compound Words
by Dictionary Scoop Compound words are everywhere, often hiding fascinating stories in plain sight. English is an exceptionally adaptable language, and one way it creates new words is by combining the sounds and meanings of existing ones. These terms, deeply rooted in history, culture, and language evolution, have become part of everyday speech. …
How I Rode Cold Notes Straight To The Top
by Kevin Burton Today we finish up the Dictionary Scoop website’s list of jargon phrases used in journalism. As I did yesterday, I will add to the list. “Above The Fold” is a term that refers to stories and pictures that appear in the top half of the front page. It’s the part …
Continue reading “How I Rode Cold Notes Straight To The Top”
Speaking My Language, Journalism Jargon
by Kevin Burton Every industry has its insider jargon and our friends at Dictionary Scoop have released a list of journalism phrases. And I’ll get to it, gladly. But first, one bone to pick. So the way I was trained in journalism was, get to the point, now. Put the most important …
Yum, Yum, Here’s Some Food For Thought
by Kevin Burton Just so you know, I did not write these little gems I am going to share today, though I could have. It’s the kind of smart-alecky stuff that sounds like something I would say, and perhaps I will write my own list like this someday, but for this stuff, not …
Page 7 