Wiki Fun: “Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo” is grammatically correct

We’re all familiar with the city of Buffalo, New York (home to the lowly Buffalo Bills), as well as, you know, buffalo (not to be confused with bison). But the word “buffalo” has another meaning: It can be used as a verb that means “to bully or intimidate.” And now, armed with that arcane knowledge—and with a helpful assist from the all-seeing eye that is Wikipedia—you can confidentially say to your friends and loved ones that the following sentence is grammatically correct: “Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.”

According to a delightfully dense Wikipedia entry, the sentence has been kicking around ever since it was first discussed in 1972 by an associate professor at the University Of—wait for it—Buffalo. Though confusing at first, it can be better understood when you realize the sentence is referring to buffalo (the animals) from Buffalo (the city) who are buffaloed (bullied) by other buffalo (animals) from Buffalo (city) are also buffaloing (bullying) other buffalo (animals) from Buffalo (city). Got all that?

No? Try parsing it out this way, again courtesy of Wikipedia: “[Those] buffalo(es) from Buffalo [that are intimidated by] buffalo(es) from Buffalo intimidate buffalo(es) from Buffalo.” Got it now? Good. Now, keep repeating the word “buffalo” until it no longer has any meaning, and consider your daily intake of ridiculous buffalo fun facts satisfied. Buffalo.