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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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Pictures in the Dictionary

 

The story of those iconic illustrations.

play there theyre their video
There, They're, Their

 

There, there. We'll sort it out.

play video its vs its
Its vs. It's

 

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

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Fun, Funner, Funnest

 

Why does it sound strange to say 'funner' or 'funnest?'

play video cynic
The History of 'Cynic'

 

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

play ismo merriam webster tip
Some Odd Words with ISMO: "People Tipping"

 

Comedian ISMO on the complexities of the word 'tip'