play video title words of the year 1066
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

play video his or her
Is singular 'they' a better choice?

 

The awkward case of 'his or her'

play peter-sokolowski-indict-graphic
Video: Why is there a 'c' in 'indict'?

 

And who put it there, anyway?

play video lay vs lie
Lay vs. Lie

 

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.

play merriam-webster eggcorns title page
What Is an Eggcorn?

 

And how did it get that name?

play video hopefully
Hopefully

 

We believe the popular usage of this word is correct

play video schwa
The Schwa

 

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