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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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Is singular 'they' a better choice?

 

The awkward case of 'his or her'

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When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

 

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

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What Is 'Semantic Bleaching'?

 

How 'literally' can mean "figuratively"

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Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

play ismo merriam webster trunk boot
Some Odd Words with ISMO: "Junk in the Trunk"

 

Comedian ISMO on what separates a boot from a trunk