Entry Guidelines
1. Entry Title
An entry is a word or phrase someone adds to the website — ideally in its most basic or neutral form. For example, if it's a verb, use the infinitive (e.g., "to snooze," not "snoozing" or "snoozed").
2. Alternatives
Here you can list variations of the phrase — these could be:
- Different spellings
- Gendered versions
- Common alternative forms or related phrasing
These alternatives will also appear in search results, helping others find the entry.
3. Pronunciation
Preferably written in IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet). For languages with non-Latin scripts, a transliteration is also acceptable.
4. Literal Translation
Use this field only when it makes sense. This is a word-for-word rendering of the original, not an interpretation or paraphrase, as this can be added in the explanation.
mamma mia
oh my god
mother my
The goal is to reveal how the phrase is constructed in its original language, even if it sounds odd or funny when translated.
5. Explanation
This is the heart of the entry. Instead of a dry definition, explain what the phrase means, how it's used, and any cultural or emotional nuance attached to it.
- Is it negative, affectionate, ironic?
- Is it used in specific situations?
- Is there a tone or vibe to it that matters?
We may edit explanations for readability, clarity and flow, but the core meaning and tone will always be preserved.
6. Synonyms
If there's a more common or widely understood phrase in the same language (or another) that captures a similar meaning, list it here.
Pushing daisies
to be dead
This can help link phrases and expressions for familiar sentiments across languages.
7. Category
What kind of phrase is this? Is it an idiom, a slang term, a proverb, a filler word, an interjection, etc.?
When you submit an entry, you'll be asked to choose a category that best fits the type of term you're adding. This helps us organize the content and makes it easier for others to find. However, it's not crucial to choose the "perfect" category. Many of these overlap—a neologism is also a word, and an idiom might also be an expression. Just pick the one that seems most fitting.
Here's a brief overview of our categories:
Abbreviation
A shortened form of a word or phrase, such as acronyms or initialisms.
8. Frequency
How frequently is this term used? This can help give us an impression of how common or niche the term is. This is not a strict measure, but a general idea of how often you hear or see it in your community.
This is flexible — we understand that use varies across communities.
9. Community
Who uses this phrase? Think of linguistic communities — not just demographics. This could be:
- A specific age group (e.g., Gen Z, older generations)
- A social group (e.g., queer community, business professionals)
- A fandom or subculture (e.g., K-pop fans, gamers)
This helps us understand how language is used in different contexts and communities.
Language and Geographic Context
10. Language and Country
This identifies the main language the phrase belongs to, and the country where it's used.
11. Dialect & Language Variety
This field allows you to specify a more specific variety of the language — not necessarily a traditional dialect. This could include:
- Sociallects (language use shaped by social group)
- Regional varieties
- Other identifiable language styles
12. Region
Zoom in even further — this could be:
- A city or neighborhood
- A province or state
- A part of a country (e.g., "northern Italy," "southern Nigeria")
The more specific, the better. This helps us capture microvariation in language.
Examples and Verification
13. Quote
A real-life example of the phrase in its original language. This gives readers insight into how it's actually used in context.
14. Quote Translation
A translation of the quote — preferably literal, to preserve structure and tone. This helps us explore how the phrase feels and functions in a sentence, without immediately flattening it into its "functional" meaning (which is already explained above).
15. Source Link
This is crucial for verification. It can be:
- An article
- A video or transcript
- A social media post
- A comment thread
- Anything publicly available
We aim to embrace the richness of regional, community-based, and under-documented language. That means many terms won't be familiar to every speaker. That's expected. The source link helps establish real-world usage, even if the phrase isn't mainstream.
Not all entries will have a source link, and that's okay. If you know of a source but can't find it, or if the phrase is used in a specific community or context, you can still submit it. Just be sure to provide as much context as possible in the explanation.
16. Labels
Labels help categorize the tone or context of the phrase. Below are some common labels used to describe phrases:
Content Type
Intention
These labels provide additional context for readers and help ensure the phrase is understood in its proper tone or usage.
Moderation Process
Every entry on the website goes through a moderation process before being published. This process helps ensure that the information is clear, understandable, and placed in the correct fields.
You can expect the following from moderation:
- Field clarification: If you've accidentally put the explanation in the wrong field (for example, adding it under literal translation), we may move things around.
- Edits for readability: We might make slight edits to improve grammar, flow, or structure so your entry is easier to read.
- Tone and opinion: Editorializing is allowed—you can describe the term from your own perspective, and add nuance, emotion, or cultural context as long as the goal is educational.
- Rejection criteria: Your entry may be rejected if it contains content that is harmful, hateful, or discriminatory toward a group of people. Entries should help others understand language, not reinforce bias.
Disagreements & Reporting
You might encounter entries you personally disagree with or would explain differently. That's okay. Language is multifaceted, and perspectives can vary. If you think something is wrong:
- Use the "Report" function only if the information is factually incorrect or clearly violates the platform's policy.
- Don't report just because you've never heard the expression—it might be regional or community-specific.
- If you know an alternative meaning or usage, feel free to add a separate entry with that perspective.
Keep in mind:
- Moderation is done on a voluntary basis, so processing times can vary.
- If you have an account, your entries will be prioritized in the moderation queue.
- If you edit an already submitted entry, it will be sent back to moderation automatically.
- If your entry is rejected, you'll see the reason in your dashboard (if you're logged in). You can edit the entry and resubmit it for review.
Verification Process
Verification is a way for the community to confirm or provide context about how widespread an entry is.
If you have an account, you can:
- Access a list of unverified entries in your dashboard
- Vote on whether or not you've heard a phrase before
- Skip entries if you're unsure
We encourage people to vote honestly, so remember:
- The goal is not to invalidate entries, but to give users context
- A low number of people confirming a phrase doesn't mean it's wrong—it might just be localized or community-specific
- Think of regional varieties of a language—what's common in one country or group may be completely unknown in another
The website displays verification data to help users get a better sense of how commonly something is used. You'll see both the number of verifications and a visual indicator showing the proportion of users who recognize the phrase.
Final Notes
- This documentation reflects our understanding as of now. Language is complex, and our approach may evolve.
- Entries can be revised, clarified, or expanded as we grow.
- We're building this project together — if something feels off, confusing, or incomplete, let us know.