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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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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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Ending a Sentence with a Preposition

 

An old-fashioned rule we can no longer put up with.

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Its vs. It's

 

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

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An Abbreviated History of American English Spelling

 

Soop, wimmen, and headake did not make the cut

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'Mispronunciations' That May Be Fine

 

'Mischievous,' 'nuclear,' and other words to pronounce with caution.

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How to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect'

 

A simple way to keep them apart. (Most of the time.)