Language Questions and Answers

Photo Source: iStock

View your most frequently asked questions on language. Our editors do the research to provide accurate answers to submitted questions.

What is the plural of octopus? Is it octopi or octopusses?
What's a Black Maria?
Do people actually speak Esperanto?
I am confused and hope that you can help. When I do an Internet search for "the die is cast" it comes up spelled two different ways: Iacta alea est and Jacta alea est (and for that matter Alea jacta est). How do I know which one is the correct derivation?
Could you tell me the origin of the phrase, "passing the buck?"
Is there a name for the plastic covering at the end of a shoelace?
I was doing a project on the state of California and I was wondering what the all the different languages spoken in California are?
What is the definition of a third world country and where did it come from? Are there first, second, and fourth world countries?
Can the abbreviations i.e. and e.g. be used interchangably? If not, why not? I have always used them to mean "as an example," or "for example".
What does the "p" in p-coat stand for?
What is the meaning of the abbreviation "sic"?
Where does the name California come from?
What is the etymology of the word "trivia"?
I was wondering if you could suggest to me where I could find the Bangladesh language on the Internet or maybe even a book that might help. I seem to be coming up with nothing.
What do you call the metal thing at the end of the pencil that holds the eraser on?
Why is unwanted e-mail referred to as "spam"?
Where does the name California come from?
Where did the saying "It ain't over until the fat lady sings" come from?
What is the longest word in your dictionary?
How did the petri dish get its name?

View captivating images and news briefs about critical government decisions, medical discoveries, technology breakthroughs, and more. From this page, you'll see news events organized chronologically by month and separated into four categories: World News, U.S. News, Disaster News, and Science & Technology News.

We also collect a summary of each week's events, from one Friday to the next, so make sure you check back every week for fascinating updates on the world around to help keep you updated on the latest happenings from across the globe!

Check out the November News and Events Here:

Atlas Tools Menu

Encyclopedia Tools Menu

Language Questions and Answers

Trending