Why AI Can’t Tell a Good Joke

1 month ago

Artificial intelligence can translate languages and write essays, but why does it fall flat when it comes to telling a…

The Grammar of Sarcasm Across Cultures

1 month ago

Sarcasm is far more than just saying the opposite of what you mean; it's a complex linguistic performance dictated by…

Said the Blind Man: The Lost Art of the Wellerism

1 month ago

Uncover the Wellerism, a quirky three-part joke format that owes its name to a character in Charles Dickens's *The Pickwick…

The Shaggy Dog’s Syntax: Deconstructing the Feghoot

1 month ago

A feghoot is a linguistic long con, a narrative bait-and-switch where the journey is an elaborate misdirection. It weaponizes the…

The Joke That Isn’t: The Pragmatics of Anti-Humor

1 month ago

Why do we laugh at jokes with painfully obvious punchlines? Anti-humor cleverly subverts our expectations by refusing to be clever,…

The Grammar of a Conspiracy Theory

1 month ago

Ever wonder why conspiracy theories can sound so persuasive, even when they lack evidence? This post unpacks the specific "grammar"…

Does Language Make You Better at Math?

1 month ago

Why do children in some countries seem to learn arithmetic faster? The answer may lie not in their schools, but…

My Hand, My Self: Inalienable Grammar

1 month ago

In English, you can talk about "a hand" as a detached object. But in many languages, the rules of grammar…

Hearing Words in White Noise

1 month ago

Do you ever hear faint voices in the hum of an air conditioner or a running fan? You're not alone.…

The Grammar of ‘OK’ vs ‘Submit’

1 month ago

Ever wondered why one button invites you to "Join for Free" while another just says "Submit"? This choice is part…

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