What Is a Derecho? TIME Explains.
Short answer: big ol’ wind storm.
Katy Steinmetz
Katy Steinmetz is a reporter in TIME's Washington bureau. In addition to working on features for TIME and TIME.com, she contributes to TIME's Swampland, Healthland and NewsFeed blogs. She pens a weekly column on language called Wednesday Words, and acts as impresario for political columnist Joe Klein's annual road trips.
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How To Tell Race-Related Jokes in a ‘Post-Racial’ Society
After seven months observing comedy routines and classes, one man shares what he learned.
Knaidel v. Kneydl: Debating the Winning Spelling Bee Word
There were also critics after President Wilson oversaw a spelling bee 100 years ago today. Some people are just too sensitive for words.
What You Missed While Not Watching the National Spelling Bee Finals
There were 11. And then there was one. O-N-E.
Six Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Scripps National Spelling Bee
There’s a secret word committee, or as they probably call it — a clandestine lexicon coterie.
Let’s Go B-A-N-A-N-A-S: Annual National Spelling Bee Starts Today
If only Gwen Stefani were forced to compete against this year’s 281 contestants …
Why F. Scott Fitzgerald Is All Over the Dictionary
Not merely a stellar writer, the Gatsby author also gets credit for his “impactive” additions to the English language
The Meaning of ‘Squish’ and Other Fun-To-Say Political Slights
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz called some of his Republican colleagues “squishes.” Here’s hoping he busts out “snollygosters” next.
How We Talk About the Boston Marathon Bombing — and Why It Matters
TIME talks with linguist Sandra Silberstein about the words we use to describe the Boston Marathon bombing, and what that tells us about how we perceive the event and its aftermath.
Nine Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Swear Words
Earmuffs!
Q&A: New BEARD PAC Supports Only Bearded Candidates (Mustaches Need Not Apply)
You’ve probably got a lot of questions before you give them your hard-earned cash, right? Well, here are your answers.
AP Bans ‘Illegal Immigrant’: The Tricky Language of Immigration Reform
New Associated Press Stylebook guidance marks the latest chapter in a long battle over the “I-word.”
