Kinbank is a new database that illustrates the global diversity of family terms. English, for example, specifies sibling relationships with just one of two terms: sister or brother. But most other languages have even more specific terms. In...
Someone who is easily offended can be said to be pepper-nosed. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Prickly Pepper-Nosed People” Here’s a very handy word that was used in the 16th and 17th centuries, but seems to have...
The Spanish word moco, or “mucus,” can be applied affectionately to a child, much like speakers of English may refer to a youngster as a little booger. In some dialects, moco has a more pejorative sense, suggesting a child is more along...

