1

Martin Van Buren (1837-1841)

8th President

Image: Library of Congress

Van Buren, the first president born after the American Revolution, inherited an economic crisis shortly after taking office, known as the Panic of 1837 . The market crash, caused by speculative banking practices, led the country into a severe economic depression.

Van Buren’s quick response was to establish an independent treasury system, which effectively separated federal funds from private banks. This system helped stabilize the currency and laid the foundation for modern federal financial management. Furthermore, Van Buren was also a key figure in the development of the two-party system that continues to shape American politics today. Quite the legacy for an often-overlooked figure!

2

John Tyler (1841-1845)

10th President

Image: Library of Congress

John Tyler became president in 1841 following William Henry Harrison’s death, marking the first time a vice president succeeded a sitting president. Although this might seem unremarkable today, Tyler asserted the constitutional authority of the presidency by doing so, setting an important precedent for the peaceful transfer of power and solidifying the role of the vice presidency in American democracy.

However, Tyler is mostly remembered for championing westward expansion and overseeing the initial negotiations for the annexation of Texas—a move that literally reshaped the nation. Though this ultimately led to tensions with Mexico and the Mexican-American War, his efforts to settle a peaceful border treaty between the United States and Canada helped balance his legacy.

3

James K. Polk (1845-1849)

11th President

Image: Library of Congress

James K. Polk, the 11th president, is often called the "expansionist president" due to his aggressive territorial policies. Under his leadership, the United States expanded significantly, acquiring more than a million square miles of land through various treaties and the victory in the Mexican-American War.

His presidency fulfilled the concept of Manifest Destiny, extending the nation's reach to the Pacific Ocean. However, his legacy remains somewhat controversial, as many of his actions exacerbated the divide between the northern and southern states, setting the stage for the American Civil War.

4

Zachary Taylor (1849-1850)

12th President

Image: Library of Congress

Zachary Taylor, a hero of the Mexican-American War, became president in 1849 with little political experience. Despite being a Southern slave owner, he opposed the expansion of slavery into the newly acquired western territories, a stance that put him at odds with many in the South.

While Taylor's presidency was cut short by his sudden death in 1850, his role in opposing the spread of slavery into new states set the stage for future debates. Though brief, his actions as president are often praised for their conciliatory nature, as he sought compromises in an attempt to prevent the looming conflict.

5

Millard Fillmore (1850-1853)

13th President

Image: Library of Congress

Millard Fillmore took over after Zachary Taylor's untimely death in 1850, inheriting a fractured nation on the brink of civil war. His most controversial act was signing the Compromise of 1850, which included the Fugitive Slave Act, requiring the return of escaped slaves to their owners.

This somewhat ham-fisted attempt to maintain the fragile peace between the North and South only deepened the divisions that eventually led to the Civil War. On a lighter note, Fillmore was the first president to initiate trade relations with Japan, marking the start of Japan’s modernization and its integration into the global economy.

6

Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)

14th President

Image: Library of Congress

Franklin Pierce, elected in 1852, faced an increasingly divided nation over the issue of slavery. His signing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854 allowed new territories to decide for themselves whether to permit slavery, leading to violent confrontations between pro- and anti-slavery factions in what became known as "Bleeding Kansas."

Despite his troubled domestic policies, Pierce followed his predecessor's path of expanding U.S. influence abroad. He pushed for new trade routes and even attempted to negotiate the acquisition of Cuba from Spain, though his efforts ultimately failed.

7

James Buchanan (1857-1861)

15th President

Image: Library of Congress

James Buchanan’s inability to resolve the tensions between North and South is often criticized, but he faced a nearly impossible task. He sought to avert conflict through diplomacy but was hesitant to overstep states' rights, arguing that the Constitution did not grant him the authority to prevent secession.

Despite his efforts, South Carolina seceded in December 1860, just weeks after Abraham Lincoln’s election, setting the stage for war. In foreign policy, Buchanan strengthened U.S. relations abroad, securing trade agreements with China and managing tense relations with Great Britain.

8

Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881)

19th President

Image: Library of Congress

Rutherford B. Hayes is often remembered for his controversial election in 1876, which was decided by a congressional commission after a disputed vote count. His administration is also known for effectively ending the Reconstruction Era by withdrawing federal troops from the South.

While this helped bring stability to the South, it also allowed the rise of segregationist policies. On the other hand, Hayes was one of the first presidents to advocate for civil service reform, arguing that a merit-based government workforce was necessary to reduce corruption and ensure efficiency within the federal system.

9

Chester A. Arthur (1881-1885)

21st President

Image: Library of Congress

Initially seen as a product of the corrupt political machine system, Chester A. Arthur surprised many by becoming a champion of civil service reform. In 1883, he signed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, which mandated that government jobs be awarded based on merit rather than political connections.

This act significantly reduced the influence of patronage in American politics, a practice that had long fueled corruption. Arthur also modernized the U.S. Navy, which had been neglected since the Civil War. His administration helped lay the foundation for the powerful naval force that would emerge in the 20th century.

10

Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893)

23rd President

Image: Library of Congress

Though almost forgotten today, Harrison’s administration was marked by significant legislative accomplishments. In particular, the Sherman Antitrust Act aimed at curbing the power of monopolies and promoting competition, and is considered the first major attempt by the federal government to regulate corporate power.

Harrison pushed to secure federal funding for education and voting rights for African Americans, but many of his efforts were blocked by Congress. Despite these setbacks, he remained a vocal advocate for African American civil rights, consistently addressing the issue in his speeches to Congress.

1

Extra

Image: Obie Fernandez

Some people are reserved and discreet, while others are just "extra." This slang term describes someone who is exaggerated, overly dramatic , or excessive—does anyone come to mind?

If a friend shows up to a casual hangout in an extravagant outfit or makes a big deal out of something insignificant, you can call them "extra."

2

GRWM

Image: Alexander Shatov

A popular abbreviation on TikTok is "GRWM." It's so well-known that you've probably heard it before.

Since fashion influencers often share videos about their outfits or ask for clothing advice, "GRWM" stands for "Get Ready With Me." With this phrase, video creators make viewers feel like part of their daily lives and invite them to join their digital adventures.

3

Bussin'

Image: Jackson Sophat

When it comes to flattery, "bussin'" is the term you need to speak today’s language. Something described as "bussin'" is exceptionally good, impressive, or exquisite. While it's most commonly used to describe food—like in "That Burger was just bussin'"—it can also be used to compliment other things or actions.

4

Mid

Image: Eran Menashri

Contrary to the previous term, "mid" is used to describe something as average or unimpressive. While it isn’t necessarily negative, it implies that a performance, dish, or speech wasn’t exactly the best you’ve seen.

"Mid" comes from the word "middle," suggesting that what you're referring to is neither good nor bad—it's just somewhere in the middle.

5

Spill the tea

Image: Manki Kim

If someone asks you to spill the tea, they’re not asking you to make a mess on the snack table—they want something much more interesting.

"Spill the tea" is a slang expression used to ask someone to share juicy gossip . If you love drama or want to stay up to date with the latest news and scandals, this phrase will come in handy. As for its origin, some suggest that "spill the tea" may have evolved from an earlier phrase with a similar meaning: "spill the beans."

6

IYKYK

Image: Melissa Askew

While it may look like a word from a strange, distant language, "IYKYK" is actually an abbreviation for "If you know, you know." It's great for those inside jokes you share with your friends or recalling moments that only a select group was part of. You know, something intimate, secret, or exclusive.

7

GOAT

Image: Nandhu Kumar

What do Michael Jordan, Aretha Franklin, Babe Ruth, Frank Sinatra, Anthony Hopkins, and Serena Williams have in common? Well, they're all GOATs! But what does that mean?

"GOAT" doesn’t refer to the adorable animal—it stands for "Greatest of All Time." That's right! This term is used to describe those who truly stand out as the best in their field, discipline, or art.

8

No Cap/Cap

Image: Jakob Owens

It seems that saying "true" or "false" has gone out of fashion. The new trend is to say "no cap" or its opposite, "cap." As you might guess, these terms relate to truthfulness, honesty, and authenticity .

If a friend says, "The show was incredible, no cap," they’re assuring you they’re telling the truth. But if someone hears a suspicious story and calls out "cap," they’re likely calling it a lie.

9

Amped

Image: Austin Schmid

Have you been on Cloud Nine lately? If so, there's a perfect slang term for you: "amped." This adjective describes someone who’s excited about something or simply feeling really, really happy .

The term originated in the 1980s as a shortened form of "amplified," originally referring to someone highly charged with energy. Over time, it became associated with excitement and joy and has recently made a comeback, especially on social media.

10

Bet

Image: Ursula Castillo

If you're talking with a group of teens and you want to express your agreement with something, just say, "Bet." This short word is commonly used today to mean "Yes," "Exactly," "That’s it," or "Let’s do it."

As you might have guessed, it was born in the gambling world and is tied to that feeling of confidence or certainty needed when placing a bet.

1

California

All across the Americas, we can find places named after fictional and mythical locations, a result of the arrival of European explorers on the unknown continents. In 1533, Hernán Cortés arrived in what is now Baja California, Mexico. Mistakenly believing that the peninsula was an island, coupled with the arid landscape and the rumor of abundant gold, he named it after an island from the book Las Sergas de Esplandián (The Adventures of Esplandián).

This novel, written by Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo in 1510, features the island of California , governed by the queen Calafia (a play on the Arab calipha , a title given to leaders and rulers). The fictional California is rich in gold and is described as a terrestrial paradise near the Indies, so, despite not being an island, the real California was aptly named.

2

Louisiana

Before being the name of a state, Louisiana designated all the French territories west of the Mississippi River , covering either the whole or part of 15 current U.S. states, including Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Missouri, among others. Originally named La Louisiane (‘the land of Louis’), the name was given to the Mississippi basin by the French explorer René-Robert Cavelier in 1682.

Who was Louis? Sixteen kings of France had the name Louis, but this territory was named after Louis XIV, also known as "The Sun King" . During his 72-year-long reign, still the longest of any monarch in history, France greatly expanded its colonial territories, among which was Louisiana. After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the anglicized name remained, but only for a much smaller portion of land, which gained statehood in 1812.

3

Florida

One of the European strategies for naming territories was to reference the day of arrival, a practice often used by the Spanish , and evidenced by the many places named after Catholic saints. Florida is an example of this custom.

Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León arrived in the territory around the time of Easter while looking for the mythical fountain of youth. In Spanish, Easter is sometimes called La Pascua florida (‘the flowery Easter’) because it usually falls in spring, which led Ponce de León to name the territory La Florida .

4

Maine

There is more than one theory for the origin of Maine, and there is no certain answer. While many claim that ‘Maine’ is derived from ‘main land’, there is another widely supported theory that makes a connection with a French province, and that is backed up by the enormous influence of Acadian French people in the state of Maine .

According to this theory, the Maine territory was named after a French province of the same name —nowadays the region of Sarthe and Mayenne— in turn named after the ancient Cenomani Gaulish tribe.

5

Vermont

Although the Vermont territory was initially explored by the French, it might come as a surprise to know that its French name was given by an English-speaking American . In 1777, the territory declared independence from Britain and constituted a new republic. At first called ‘New Connecticut’, it adopted the name ‘Vermont’ by suggestion of physician and scholar Thomas Young.

Young came up with the name, meaning ‘green mountains’, inspired by a local militia known as ‘the Green Mountain Boys’. However, be it ignorance or poetry, the translation was made into a correct but archaic French. While Vermont does mean ‘green mountain’, the most accurate translation would have been montagne verte .

6

Colorado

Originally, Colorado referred to the Colorado River, named by the Spanish during the 16th century. The area under that name was acquired by the U.S. in the Louisiana Purchase and through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo , with the Territory of Colorado officially established in 1861 and named after the river.

Why was the river named this way? In Spanish, colorado means ‘red colored’ or ‘ruddy colored’. During the spring thaw, the melted mountain snow would mix with reddish-brown silt , giving the river a red hue.

7

Montana

This one is another case of a name chosen by English speakers. The word ‘Montana’ is an anglicized version of the Spanish montaña, ‘mountain’. But while there certainly are mountains in Montana, part of the territory consists of plains. Why name it so, then?

The Spanish had named the western mountainous region Montaña del Norte (Northern Mountain). When the Montana Territory was created in 1864, the name was suggested as a tribute to the Rocky Mountains . Some complaints arose in defense of the plains, and the alternative name ‘Jefferson’ was proposed, but Montana won in the end.

8

Nevada

The majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range is one of the natural wonders of the Western United States, so it makes sense that a territory would be named in its honor. Named Sierra Nevada or ‘snowy peak’ by the Spanish, the first record of the name dates back to 1776 , and was most likely inspired by a Spanish range of the same name.

In 1861, the Territory of Nevada was officially established, and most sources agree that it was named after the mountain range. However, the main part of the Sierra Nevada range belongs to California, with only the Carson Range being in the Nevada territory.

9

Arizona

The origin of ‘Arizona’ is disputed, with theories pointing towards it being the Spanish version of a Native American name. However, other theories disagree, claiming that it is a Basque name, haritz ona , meaning ‘good oak, given by Spanish settlers who came from the Basque region.

There is a final theory which, although heavily disputed, is supported by popular stories. This theory claims that the original name was Árida zona (‘arid zone’) , a description of the desert climate.

10

Oregon

No one really knows what ‘Oregon’ means, but everyone has a theory. Although there are stories that link it to Native American names or spelling errors, the first record of the name is from a 1598 Spanish chronicle, which refers to the territory as ‘_Orejón_’ (‘big-eared’) . Whose ears were being described is unclear.

An alternate theory links the name to French instead of Spanish, based on a 1765 petition by a British explorer that calls the area ‘ Ouragon’, a possible corruption of the French ouragan , ‘hurricane ’, in reference to the turbulent waters of the Columbia River.