play video title words of the year 1066
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.


Up next

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

 

English was never the same after the Norman Conquest

play video who vs whom
Who vs. Whom

 

Good news for those who feel stuffy saying 'whom.'

play serial comma
The Serial Comma Explained

 

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

play video his or her
Is singular 'they' a better choice?

 

The awkward case of 'his or her'

play body parts video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

 

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

play further vs farther video
Further vs. Farther

 

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

play hanger-hangar-illustrations
Is It 'Hanger' or 'Hangar'?

 

How to remember which is which