People can learn from pain, perhaps more from other people’s than from their own. Yet knowing what other people feel depends on their ability to describe their suffering in words. Pain’s defiance of ...

The language you use could make a difference on the pain you feel. Justin J Wee for The New York Times. Prop stylist: Caroline Dorn. Justin J Wee for The New York Times. Prop stylist: Caroline Dorn.

What would you say if you suddenly stubbed your toe on a doorframe? Depending on how much it hurt, you might yelp in pain, unleash a stream of expletives—or utter a very specific exclamation such as ...