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 …

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 …

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.    …

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

by Kevin Burton    Apologies right up front for all you lawn rangers, fighting the good fight for greener, pristiner front yards. Merriam-Webster calls the dandelion a flower.    And I supposed by some measures it is. But don’t try giving your wife dandelions on your anniversary. You may end up with dandelion soup for …

Flowers Can Wait, They’ll Be Here Tomorrow

by Kevin Burton    Now flowers come from seeds. But flower etymologies come from every linguistic corner under heaven, ubiquitous as the flowers themselves it seems.    On a beautiful Spring day, imagine an average couple driving the highways and byways of the heartland in a beautiful 2012 Toyota. And the wife might say, “Do …

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 …

Plant Idioms To Grow Your Vocabulary

by Dictionary Scoop    In honor of summer solstice tomorrow we have cherry-picked 10 expressions related to plants and flowers that will make you want to go outside and smell the roses! 1-Beat around the bush    Some people are direct and cut to the chase, and others take their time to say what they have to say. When …

A Fearful List Of Ten Unusual Phobias

by Dictionary Scoop     The word “phobia” does not merely mean “fear of” as some believe. There is more to it.    A phobia is an irrational fear, “an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation,” according to Merriam-Webster dictionary.    Here are ten uncommon fears and …