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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 to Use a Dictionary

 

The best way to find information in the dictionary

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Its vs. It's

 

Some practical guidance, and interesting history, about a common mistake.

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Is It 'Hanger' or 'Hangar'?

 

How to remember which is which

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How a Word Gets into the Dictionary

 

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

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Drive Safe: In Praise of Flat Adverbs

 

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

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The awkward case of 'his or her'