John-Erik Jordan - Babbel Magazine

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John-Erik Jordan

John-Erik was born in Los Angeles and grew up in a suburb named after Tarzan (yes, really). He co-founded Babbel Magazine in 2014 and was its managing editor from 2015 to 2020. Most of his free time is taken up by unhealthy obsessions with science fiction, tabletop games and the Dodgers.

Articles by John-Erik

The Science of Curse Words: Why The &@$! Do We Swear?

What makes a word a swear word? Why do we swear? What happens in your brain when you drop an F-bomb? Straight from Brooklyn, New York: the science of swearing.

10 Cat Idioms From 11 Different Languages

Humans and cats have lived side by side for so long, they’ve managed to creep their way into our language.

Star Words: Language Trivia From A Galaxy Far, Far Away

The earthbound origins of the names, cultures and languages in the Star Wars universe.

5 Tricks To Learn Spanish, Or Any Other Language, From 2 People Who Speak 11

Two polyglots discuss their shared love for the Spanish language and offer some tips for language learners.

5 Embarrassing Mistakes English Speakers Make In French — And How to Avoid Them

Mistakes are a natural part of learning, but you might want to steer clear of these ones.

7 Embarrassing Mistakes English Speakers Make in German — And How to Avoid Them

Every English speaker makes mistakes when trying to speak German. We’re here to help you learn from them, avoid the most embarrassing ones and be a better traveler on your next vacation in Germany, Austria or Switzerland.

15 Terrifying Boogeymen From Around The World

This Halloween, get a lesson in supernatural scare tactics from the Boogeyman and 14 of his cousins.

The 5 Best Inspirational Language Quotes

Are you trying to learn a language, but need some inspiration? These 5 kernels of wisdom are sure to motivate!

Party Around The World: How To Celebrate Carnival In 6 Languages!

What comes to mind when you think of the word “Carnival?” Colorful ferris wheels, rickety tilt-a-whirls and rigged midway games? Internationally, “Carnival” has a very different meaning. Here’s your guide to the western world’s favorite week of debauched fun.