9 women immortalized in the English language

Meet nine women whose names and creations live on in our words.

The Pompadour
Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, aka the Marquise de Pompadour
Before there was “Becky with the good hair,” there was Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, a French noblewoman better known as the Marquise de Pompadour—and mistress of French King Louis XV. She’s credited with originating the pompadour hairstyle all the way back in the 1700s! In those days before Bumpits, a pad (sometimes, horrifyingly, called a “rat”) was commonly used to create a pompadour with greater height. Pompadour wasn’t only a style icon—she also wielded significant influence over Louis XV.

How do you take it?

Someone you work with has come over to your house to visit. You offered him something to drink, and he said that he'd like a coffee. You ask him this to find out if he likes sugar and milk in it. How do you take it?

Idiom "around Robin Hood's barn"

Clean, Wash, Clean up, Wash up

Idiom "arm's length"

Improve Your English Communication Skills

6 Ways to Immediately Improve Your English Communication Skills

’Words don’t come easy.’

You may have memorized endless lists of vocabulary, you may know all the grammar needed to hold any conversation and still find yourself at a loss when wanting to express yourself.

British & American Weather Words

Amazing weather words

People talk about the weather all the time. And so, we present this list of weather words we think you need to know to join the conversation. There's a slight focus on winter weather words, but we won't include the swear words you mutter under your breath as you shovel off the driveway for the fifth time this month. Remember, the first day of spring is March 20.