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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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How a Word Gets into the Dictionary

 

What our editors are looking for when they enter words in Merriam-Webster.

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Is It 'day today' or 'day-to-day'?

 

What about Day Tomorrow?

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How to Use a Dictionary

 

The best way to find information in the dictionary

play video hopefully
Hopefully

 

We believe the popular usage of this word is correct

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How to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect'

 

A simple way to keep them apart. (Most of the time.)

play video cynic
The History of 'Cynic'

 

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