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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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The History of 'Cynic'

 

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

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How Do You Pronounce 'Vase'?

 

And is one way more correct than the others?

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Who vs. Whom

 

Good news for those who feel stuffy saying 'whom.'

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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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How a Ghost Word Appeared in the Dictionary

 

An imaginary word that snuck into the dictionary

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Healthy vs. Healthful

 

Why both words are equally good for you.