Student Union
New in the Glossary of Confusing Words: Beg the Question, Bucket List
1) Beg the Question
I notice it frequently used by writers, journalists, television and radio reporters, etc.
It is mistakenly being used as a synonymous wording for "raise the question," or "ask the question."
In everyday, conversational English, the phrase "to beg the question" is used to mean "to raise the question." For example:
"His erratic behavior begs the question: is this man fit for office?"
If you want to be pedantic about it (and many people do!), the phrase "beg the question" has nothing to do with the way it's used in conversational English these days. It's actually the name of a particular logical fallacy, and comes from the Latin petitio principii, which means something like "assuming the initial premise" (if anyone actually speaks Latin, you can probably offer a better translation). An example would be: "He's unattractive because he's ugly." Unattractive and ugly mean the same thing, so saying that he's ugly doesn't provide additional proof for your argument
However, in regular conversation, and even in academic and journalistic writing, "to beg the question" means "to raise the question." So anyone trying to learn colloquial English should be prepared to hear it that way.
2) Bucket List
I saw this phrase on a movie
A "Bucket list" is a list of things you want to do before you die. It comes from another English phrase: "to kick the bucket," which means to die. So, a bucket list is a list of things you want to accomplish before you kick the bucket.
You did indeed see this phrase in a movie - the movie was called "The Bucket List", and in this trailer, Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson explain pretty clearly what a bucket list is:
Got a word that you found confusing and want us to define? We particularly like words related to college or that you would come across when researching/applying to colleges. Submit your word suggestions in the comments or using the form below.
Loading...
See all News Updates of the Day
Trump administration opens antisemitism inquiries at 5 colleges, including Columbia and Berkeley

The Trump administration is opening new investigations into allegations of antisemitism at five U.S. universities including Columbia and the University of California, Berkeley, the Education Department announced Monday.
It's part of President Donald Trump's promise to take a tougher stance against campus antisemitism and deal out harsher penalties than the Biden administration, which settled a flurry of cases with universities in its final weeks. It comes the same day the Justice Department announced a new task force to root out antisemitism on college campuses.
In an order signed last week, Trump called for aggressive action to fight anti-Jewish bias on campuses, including the deportation of foreign students who have participated in pro-Palestinian protests.
Along with Columbia and Berkeley, the department is now investigating the University of Minnesota, Northwestern University and Portland State University. The cases were opened using the department's power to launch its own civil rights reviews, unlike the majority of investigations, which stem from complaints.
Messages seeking comment were left with all five universities.
A statement from the Education Department criticized colleges for tolerating antisemitism after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and a wave of pro-Palestinian protests that followed. It also criticized the Biden administration for negotiating "toothless" resolutions that failed to hold schools accountable.
"Today, the Department is putting universities, colleges, and K-12 schools on notice: this administration will not tolerate continued institutional indifference to the wellbeing of Jewish students on American campuses," said Craig Trainor, the agency's acting assistant secretary for civil rights.
The department didn't provide details about the inquiries or how it decided which schools are being targeted. Presidents of Columbia and Northwestern were among those called to testify on Capitol Hill last year as Republicans sought accountability for allegations of antisemitism. The hearings contributed to the resignation of multiple university presidents, including Columbia's Minouche Shafik.
An October report from House Republicans accused Columbia of failing to punish pro-Palestinian students who took over a campus building, and it called Northwestern's negotiations with student protesters a "stunning capitulation."
House Republicans applauded the new investigations. Representative Tim Walberg, chair of the Education and Workforce Committee, said he was "glad that we finally have an administration who is taking action to protect Jewish students."
Trump's order also calls for a full review of antisemitism complaints filed with the Education Department since Oct. 7, 2023, including pending and resolved cases from the Biden administration. It encourages the Justice Department to take action to enforce civil rights laws.
Last week's order drew backlash from civil rights groups who said it violated First Amendment rights that protect political speech.
The new task force announced Monday includes the Justice and Education departments along with Health and Human Services.
"The Department takes seriously our responsibility to eradicate this hatred wherever it is found," said Leo Terrell, assistant attorney general for civil rights. "The Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism is the first step in giving life to President Trump's renewed commitment to ending anti-Semitism in our schools."
- By VOA News
STEM, business top subjects for international students

The Times of India breaks down the most popular subjects for international students to study in the U.S.
STEM and business lead the pack. Read the full story here. (January 2025)
- By VOA News
Safety and visa difficulties among misconceptions about US colleges

U.S. News & World report addresses some of the misconceptions about U.S. colleges and universities, including the difficulty of getting a visa.
Read the full story here. (January 2025)
- By VOA News
Work opportunities help draw international students to US schools

US News & World Report details the three top factors in foreign students' decision to study in the U.S. They include research opportunities and the reputation of U.S. degrees. Read the full story here. (December 2024)
- By VOA News
British student talks about her culture shock in Ohio

A British student who did a year abroad at Bowling Green State University in Ohio talks about adjusting to life in America in a TikTok video, Newsweek magazine reports.
Among the biggest surprises? Portion sizes, jaywalking laws and dorm room beds.
Read the full story here. (December 2024)