The apostrophe was introduced into English in the 16th century — its rules have never been consistently applied.

The word 'lethologica' describes the inability to remember the word you want.

The word 'mortgage' comes from French for 'death pledge' — the debt dies when paid off.

The word 'freelance' comes from medieval mercenaries who offered their 'free lances' for hire.

The word 'goodbye' is a contraction of 'God be with ye.'

Sign languages are full natural languages with their own grammar and syntax, not just manual versions of spoken language.

The word 'rule of thumb' does not have an origin in domestic violence — this is a persistent false etymology.

The word 'salary' comes from 'sal' (salt) — Roman soldiers were sometimes paid in salt.

Fear of long words is called hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia.