Decoder

Explaining a word and the culture that uses it.

An illustration shows the Ukrainian word Svidomy in Cyrillic text with bursts of incoming fire and the Feb. 24, 2022, date to signify the start of Russia's war in Ukraine.
An illustration shows the Ukrainian word Svidomy in Cyrillic text with bursts of incoming fire and the Feb. 24, 2022, date to signify the start of Russia's war in Ukraine.

The Word That Defines What It Means to Be Ukrainian Now

Svidomy, once used to locate people on the political spectrum, has come to signify wartime unity.

An illustration of the Thai word kuan teen
An illustration of the Thai word kuan teen

How Thai Activists Troll the Monarchy

Protesters have adopted humor and wit to critique the country’s politics.

Set in front of a light green backdrop, a multicolored and multi-patterned moth designed with the symbols for male and female sex on each wing rests atop the face of a human figure with layered, chin-length hair.
Set in front of a light green backdrop, a multicolored and multi-patterned moth designed with the symbols for male and female sex on each wing rests atop the face of a human figure with layered, chin-length hair.

How ‘Bakla’ Explains the Struggle for Queer Identity in the Philippines

The Tagalog word eludes Western concepts of gender and sexuality—and offers a window into LGBTQ+ Filipinos’ quest for acceptance.

An entitled man walks across a collage landscape to illustrate the concept of protocol in Ghana.
An entitled man walks across a collage landscape to illustrate the concept of protocol in Ghana.

The Secret to Getting What You Need in Ghana

Special “protocol” treatment has become a way of life for the privileged few.

A linoleum print illustrates the Haitian Creole word koltiz.
A linoleum print illustrates the Haitian Creole word koltiz.

Kòltiz, a Patriotic Haitian Practice of Solidarity

Haitian collaborative groups affirm that “every human is human.”

An illustration of the French word "seum" reflected in a woman's sunglasses as her lip curls.
An illustration of the French word "seum" reflected in a woman's sunglasses as her lip curls.

The Malaise Poisoning French Politics

There’s a word for the anger and disappointment French voters are feeling: “seum.”

An illustration of French President Emmanuel Macron and the word emmerder.
An illustration of French President Emmanuel Macron and the word emmerder.

Macron’s Vulgarity Is a Big Deal

What the French president’s choice of swear word reveals about his style of governance.

Typographical illustration of the Japanese word bimyou.
Typographical illustration of the Japanese word bimyou.

The Good, the Bad, and the Bimyou

Neither yes nor no, this idea can take you far in Japanese politics.

Maori, one wearing European garb, paddle a canoe in an engraving from 1826.
Maori, one wearing European garb, paddle a canoe in an engraving from 1826.

How New Zealand Recognizes the People There First

The Maori term “tangata whenua” conveys a powerful relationship with the land.

Illustration of Agbaya
Illustration of Agbaya

Age and the Agbayas

One word perfectly captures the clash between Nigeria’s leaders and its booming young population.

Zivil Courage Illustration of words
Zivil Courage Illustration of words

America Doesn’t Need Heroes

Why Germany’s concept of Zivilcourage is one for the Biden era.

A shot from the March 20 episode of Tucker Carlson Tonight.
A shot from the March 20 episode of Tucker Carlson Tonight.

‘Baizuo’ Is a Chinese Word Conservatives Love

Whether you support Xi or Trump, sneering at progressives is a shared hobby.

India-Modi-Jumla-Postcard-Decoder
India-Modi-Jumla-Postcard-Decoder

The Art of the Jumla

Why India’s Narendra Modi keeps getting away with failure.

Mileurista-Spain-decoder-foreign-policy-illustration-article
Mileurista-Spain-decoder-foreign-policy-illustration-article

Who Wants to Be a Thousandaire?

Spain’s “mileurista” generation is a portent of things to come for the global economy.

chile-FACHO-fascism-pinochet-MAURO-ANDRÉS-illustration-02
chile-FACHO-fascism-pinochet-MAURO-ANDRÉS-illustration-02

In Chile, One Word Defines the Political Revolution

The Chilean term “facho” evokes the image of Chile’s fascist past—but also of present-day tenacity that thumbs its nose at institutional power.

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Is the White House prepared to deal with the remarkable growth of artificial intelligence? What are the current and potential risks to Americans? If governments should create rules around th...Show more

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