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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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Comedian ISMO on what separates a boot from a trunk

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A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia

 

Some imitative words are more surprising than others

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What is a malaprop?

 

We'll tell you all the perpendiculars

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Affect vs. Effect

 

Here's the lowdown on what may be the most confusing pair of words in the English language.

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Further vs. Farther

 

They started as same word, but their meanings have drifted apart over time.

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Webster's Dictionary of 1864

 

The landmark edition that transformed the way dictionaries are made.