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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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What is a malaprop?

 

We'll tell you all the perpendiculars

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Is It 'day today' or 'day-to-day'?

 

What about Day Tomorrow?

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How a Word Gets into the Dictionary

 

What our editors are looking for when they enter words in Merriam-Webster.

play video literally
Literally

 

A word that (literally) drives people nuts

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What Is 'Semantic Bleaching'?

 

How 'literally' can mean "figuratively"

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How to Use a Dictionary

 

The best way to find information in the dictionary