Newsletter
Why is “February” spelled with two ⟨r⟩’s?
Why is “February” spelled with two ⟨r⟩’s even though most people only pronounce one of them?
Newsletter
A semiweekly newsletter showcasing the diversity of the world’s languages. Articles include deep dives about how language works, profiles of different languages, explainers of concepts in linguistics, reviews of language-focused books and media, and lots more! Some posts are only available to paid subscribers, but most are free.
Newsletter
Libfixes: When word parts go rogue
What happens when parts of words declare independence
Newsletter
Why you should be talking to your infant: The science of baby talk, Part 1
Early exposure to language is crucial for your child’s long-term linguistic development
Newsletter
Why is the ⟨g⟩ in “longevity” pronounced twice?
How the spelling of “longevity” is playing a mental trick on you
Newsletter
“6-7” belongs in the dictionary, actually
In defense of Dictionary.com’s 2025 Word of the Year
Newsletter
Curiouser and curiouser… A (short) journey through words and language
Join League of the Lexicon game creator Joshua Blackburn as he follows the threads of his curiosity about keyboards
Newsletter
What’s in a name?: Eponymous etymology
A sneak peek at Jess Zafarris’ new book, “Useless etymology: Word origins for curious minds”
Newsletter
Where does the alphabet come from? And why does English use it so strangely?
A new book takes us on a linguistic odyssey through the history of the alphabet
Newsletter
Your cryptogram is lying to you—/t/ isn’t the most frequent consonant in English
What are the most frequent sounds across languages (and why)?
Newsletter
Pumpkin Spice Linguistics
What the words “pumpkin spice” teach us about language change and indigenous history
Newsletter
Revitalizing a dormant language from 80-year-old manuscripts
How archival manuscripts are helping revitalize the Chitimacha language of Louisiana
Newsletter
What to do when someone corrects your pronunciation
Some strategies for educating people about linguistics