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Is it wrong to use 'decimate' to mean 'destroy'?

Language changes

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Stormy Weather

8 Words for Storms the Weather Report Didn't Mention

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How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

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'a mentally unbalanced person'

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Where in the World? A Quiz

Do you know what languages these words come from?

Videos

Is it wrong to use 'decimate' to mean 'destroy'?

Language changes

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2016 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'surreal'

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Alright vs. All Right

Is 'alright' all right?

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Is None Singular or Plural?

Or both? Or neither?

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Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

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There, there. We'll sort it out.

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The awkward case of 'his or her'

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Sneaked vs. Snuck

How the irregular _snuck_ sneaked into the dictionary

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Further vs. Farther

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

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Bring vs. Take

Both words imply motion, but the difference may be all in your head

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'Poets laureate'? 'Court-martials'? The curious history of postpositive adjectives in English.

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Why does it sound strange to say 'funner' or 'funnest?'

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Word History

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It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

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Noah Webster: the man who changed the way we spell... up to a point.

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From torture to tailgating—the origins of an American football term.

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Christmas vs. Xmas

The surprising history behind this controversial abbreviation.

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It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

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How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

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That vs. Which

When to use each (and when not to get annoyed about their use).

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What's the correct plural of 'octopus': 'octopuses' or 'octopi'? Yes – and then some.

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Why does it sound strange to say 'funner' or 'funnest?'

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Old-School Grammar

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

231,264 views

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'Try and' vs. 'Try to'

When you're not sure which is right, try to remember to use 'try to.'

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Words at Play

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How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

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Notes on 'Campy'

Plus: how to use n'importe in a sentence

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It's striking how little this word has changed

Ah, 'Romance': A Word Borne to English on the Breastplates of Chivalry

The true and lovesome history of 'romance'

Word Games

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Where in the World? A Quiz

Do you know what languages these words come from?

Take the quiz

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What's that Smell?! Quiz

Words for odors and such...

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Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

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