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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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Is It 'Attorney Generals' Or 'Attorneys General'?

 

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

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The Serial Comma Explained

 

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

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i.e. vs. e.g.

 

Often used, often confused. Here's some guidance and insight.

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What Is 'Semantic Bleaching'?

 

How 'literally' can mean "figuratively"