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.


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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

play video hopefully
Hopefully

 

We believe the popular usage of this word is correct

play mrs malaprop
What is a Malaprop?

 

We'll tell you all the perpendiculars

play video schwa
The Schwa

 

The most common vowel sound in English causes many spelling problems.

play sneaked vs snuck video
Sneaked vs. Snuck

 

How the irregular 'snuck' sneaked into the dictionary

play is none singular or plural video
Is 'None' Singular or Plural?

 

Or both? Or neither?

play merriam-webster eggcorns title page
What Is an Eggcorn?

 

And how did it get that name?