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Word History

Words of the Year: 1066

Why is pig meat called 'pork' and cow meat called 'beef?' Because English took on a big serving of French words following the Norman Conquest.


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play video title words of the year 1066
Words of the Year: 1066

 

English was never the same after the Norman Conquest

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The Serial Comma Explained

 

Why don't they call it the Merriam-Webster comma?

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Its vs. It's

 

Some practical guidance, and interesting history, about a common mistake.

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Old-School Grammar

 

Many of today's grammar rules can be traced to the opinions of one 18th century writer.

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What Is 'Semantic Bleaching'?

 

How 'literally' can mean "figuratively"

play video drive safe ly
Drive Safe: In Praise of Flat Adverbs

 

You don't have to end all your adverbs in -ly to talk right.