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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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Alright vs. All Right

 

Is 'alright' all right?

play video schwa
The Schwa

 

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

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Old-School Grammar

 

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

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What is a malaprop?

 

We'll tell you all the perpendiculars

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How to Use a Dictionary

 

The best way to find information in the dictionary

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The Serial Comma Explained

 

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