One thing I’m ready for this summer is an outdoor barbecue. I especially prefer when my friend Noah is in charge of the grilling duties. I mostly like it because I don’t have to do anything other than stand near the meat while saying things like, “Let’s throw another shrimp on the barbie!”


This got me wondering: is it “barbeque” or “barbecue”? Where does this strange word come from? How do they get Lay’s Barbecue-flavored chips to taste so darn good?

 

Interestingly, Lay’s prefers “barbecue” in its regular barbecue chips, yet its slightly-more-specific flavors are called “Hickory BBQ” and “Mesquite BBQ.” “Hickory” and “Mesquite,” of...

Retirement. Ah, that golden period of life we all look forward to. You’ve worked hard over the years and it’s finally time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. But before you sail off into the sunset, it’s essential to have a solid plan in place. There are some crucial questions to answer, so let’s dig in.

1. When do I want to retire? The “when” is more significant than you might think. Retiring too early might mean you’ll need to stretch your savings for a longer period. Wait too long, and you might not have as many healthy years to enjoy it. The age at which you retire can also affect your Social Security benefits. It’s a complex puzzle, and it’s worth spending time...

Why are you yelling? Have you seen someone post a social media update in all caps? It’s not a good look. In fact, posting in all caps makes it seem like we’re getting yelled at by a bike of hornets (yes, one term to describe a group of hornets is a “bike”). Calm down!

In honor of International Caps Lock Day, a semiannual holiday observed on June 28 and Oct. 22, here’s a deep dive into big and little letters.

The origin of the term “Caps Lock” has its roots in typewriters. When typing a capital letter on a mechanical keyboard, a typist would press and hold the “Shift” key in order to physically shift the typebar up in order to type a capital letter. In order to remain...

The phrase “lean in” may be a corporate buzzword, but it’s worth discussing. Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg immortalized the phrase when she wrote a best-selling book entitled “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead.” What does “lean in” actually mean?

It’s all about posture. If you’re slumped down in your chair at work, whiling away until the five o’clock whistle blows, you’re not leaning in. Not only are you physically disengaged, but your attitude also suggests that you don’t care. However, when you lean forward in your chair, you’re more alert and likely to be listening with rapt attention and prepared to insert your own great ideas. That’s what...