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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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Some Odd Words with ISMO: "Junk in the Trunk"

 

Comedian ISMO on what separates a boot from a trunk

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Is It 'Attorney Generals' Or 'Attorneys General'?

 

'Poets laureate'? 'Court-martials'? The curious history of postpositive adjectives in English.

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Webster's Dictionary of 1864

 

The landmark edition that transformed the way dictionaries are made.

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Hopefully

 

We believe the popular usage of this word is correct

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Literally

 

A word that (literally) drives people nuts

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Comedian ISMO on the complexities of the word 'tip'