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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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How Do You Pronounce 'Vase'?

 

And is one way more correct than the others?

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Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

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A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia

 

Some imitative words are more surprising than others

play video drive safe ly
Drive Safe: In Praise of Flat Adverbs

 

You don't have to end all your adverbs in -ly to talk right.

play mrs malaprop
What is a malaprop?

 

We'll tell you all the perpendiculars

play woman and dog illustration
'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'?

 

We're gonna stop you right there