GRAMMAR CRIMES DIVISION

The first pun was declared a crime in 1200 BC. The punishment was more puns.

✗ FAKE

This is a joke. Puns appear in very old texts, including Mesopotamian and Egyptian writing, but there is no record of a law against them in 1200 BC.

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Tonal languages like Mandarin change meaning with pitch — a built-in musical challenge.The word “moist” became controversial because it’s too honest about texture.The first metaphor was invented because someone needed to roast a king safely.There are over 7,000 languages alive today — humanity’s greatest group project.The word “yawn” exists because humans like assigning words to feelings they can’t control.The first haiku was a text message that had to fit a character limit.See all Grammar Crimes Division facts →

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