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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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When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

 

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

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Sneaked vs. Snuck

 

How the irregular 'snuck' sneaked into the dictionary

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There, They're, Their

 

There, there. We'll sort it out.

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Healthy vs. Healthful

 

Why both words are equally good for you.

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Literally

 

A word that (literally) drives people nuts

play video cynic
The History of 'Cynic'

 

How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.