language and thought

Why Do We Call Partners ‘Baby’?

Ever wondered why grown adults call each other "baby"? This common pet name is more than just a habit; it's…

5 months ago

Are You a Robot? The Grammar of CAPTCHA

From warped text to "select all images with traffic lights", how does a CAPTCHA test for humanity? These web security…

5 months ago

The Logic of Autocorrect

Why does your phone insist on changing "well" to "we'll", yet hilariously fumbles simple words? The answer lies not in…

5 months ago

How Do We Read Without Saying Words Aloud?

Have you ever noticed the quiet voice in your head that reads along with your eyes? This internal narrator, known…

5 months ago

The Language of Air Traffic Control

In the high-stakes world of aviation, ordinary English is too ambiguous for the cockpit. Pilots and air traffic controllers rely…

5 months ago

Why Do We Say ‘Ouch’! When We Get Hurt?

Ever wondered why you scream 'Ouch'! when you stub your toe? This post explores the fascinating world of interjections, examining…

5 months ago

Why Are There So Many Words for Snow in Sámi?

The old "Eskimo words for snow" trope is a well-known but misleading linguistic myth. A far more accurate and fascinating…

5 months ago

Why Do We ‘Talk’ With Our Hands?

Ever wonder why you gesture on the phone, even when no one can see you? It turns out that 'talking'…

5 months ago

Why Is This Word Taboo? The Science of Swearing

Ever wonder why a stubbed toe elicits a four-letter word and not just an "ouch"? The answer lies deep within…

5 months ago

The Un-Diplomatic Turn

The coded language of traditional diplomacy, built on strategic ambiguity and nuance, is being replaced by a more direct and…

5 months ago

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