linguistics
Super Storm Sandy and Candy Crush Have Changed the English Language
Plus, whether “fetch” will ever happen.
Why ISIS Isn't 'ISIS' or 'Islamic State'
Why it might be a good idea to call the militant group by it its Arabic acronym, which they really, really don't like.
'Turkish Man Yelling 'Meow' at an Egg' Is the Best YouTube Video
This meowing Turk on the internet is further proof that humans are smarter than everything else.
Why Do Rappers Put on Fake Accents?
We asked the world's leading linguistics professor to analyze Iggy Azalea's voice.
Like Animals, Languages Need Isolation to Thrive
Islands are the only thing keeping languages diverse. But for how long?
The Japanese Have an Entire Field of Research Devoted to Chillin' in the Forest
Everyone's better off after a day in the woods, except pet dogs, who are already too good to care.
The Budding Science of Chatroom Forensics
Anything you say—and how you say it—can be used against you in the court of law.
For Who (Sic) The Bell Tolls: Why Future English Will Be Simpler
As languages expand, historically, they've also simplified. What rules will English shed as it becomes entrenched as the world's lingua franca?
Why We Joke About 'The Simpsons' When We Hear the Word 'Monorail'
Shared cultural touchstones foster a sense of community, and for better or worse, this is what we've got.
Yelp Reviews Are Like Psychological Selfies
We think of expensive food as porn, and cheap food as crack.
British Language Is Only Getting Posher
In the not-too-distant future, all Brits may sound like Benedict Cumberbatch.