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

7 months 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

7 months 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?

7 months 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

7 months 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

7 months 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’

7 months ago

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

A World Without ‘P’: Phonemic Gaps

7 months ago

Did you know that some languages get by perfectly without sounds we consider fundamental, like the 'p' in 'puppy'? This…

Why Is Germany Not Called Deutschland?

7 months ago

Ever wondered why Germans call their country Deutschland, but we call it Germany? This linguistic puzzle is a perfect window…

Can You Forget How to Read Your First Language?

7 months ago

Ever returned to your home country and found yourself stumbling over a newspaper in your mother tongue? This isn't just…

Why Does ‘Mom’ Sound the Same Everywhere?

7 months ago

From Mandarin's 'māma' to Swahili's 'mama', the word for 'mother' is strikingly similar everywhere, but it's not a linguistic coincidence.…

This website uses cookies.