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 backward index mystery
The True Story of the Backward Index

 

These people needed a computer

play emily-brewster-with-the-words-effect-affect-on-screen
How to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect'

 

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

play video between you and i or me
I vs. Me

 

'Between you and __'? Simple guidance for a tricky pronoun.

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

 

And how did it get that name?

play further vs farther video
Further vs. Farther

 

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

play video who vs whom
Who vs. Whom

 

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