186 Items Tagged

Language

Puzzle Monday: Does English Need a New Alphabet?

Alex Bellos March 13, 2023

8 Unexpected Stories That Go Behind the Scenes in Hollywood

Frozen lettuce, a ghost subway station, and an unplaceable accent all have starring roles.

April White March 8, 2023

Puzzle Monday: Official Language, Social Weapon

Alex Bellos February 20, 2023

objects of intrigue

The Mystery of the World’s Oldest Billboard

No one knows what it says.

Harish Alagappa January 20, 2023

Puzzle Monday: The Signs of Ethiopian Identity

Alex Bellos January 16, 2023

The Origins of 'Y'All' May Not Be in the American South

Now surging in popularity, the iconic pronoun was first used on the other side of the Atlantic in the 17th century.

David Parker January 9, 2023

In 2022, We Wanted to Tease That Brain of Yours

Some of our favorite crosswords, logic puzzles, and language challenges from the first year of AO Puzzles, with more to come!

Samir S. Patel January 2, 2023

Puzzle Monday: The Two Christmases

Alex Bellos December 5, 2022

Puzzle Monday: Unofficial Japanese Food Holidays Crossword

AO Puzzles November 14, 2022

Puzzle Monday: How To Be on Time in Estonia

Alex Bellos November 7, 2022

Yokohama, Japan

Dr. Hepburn’s Former Residence

The man who created the first Japanese-English Dictionary.

Puzzle Monday: Just Deserts Crossword

AO Puzzles September 19, 2022

Puzzle Monday: A Divine Script From the Congo

Alex Bellos September 12, 2022

Puzzle Monday: Code-Breaking on the Armenian Subway

Alex Bellos August 1, 2022

objects of intrigue

The Very Proper Reason the British Library Has a Vulgar Dictionary

You can learn a lot from slang.

Josh Sippie July 27, 2022

Puzzle Monday: The Secret Language of Thieves Crossword

AO Puzzles July 11, 2022

Puzzle Monday: What’s in a (Japanese) Name?

Alex Bellos July 4, 2022

native americans

Puzzle Monday: Secrets of the Original Code-Talkers

Alex Bellos June 6, 2022