play video title words of the year 1066
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.


Up next

play video title words of the year 1066
Words of the Year: 1066

 

English was never the same after the Norman Conquest

play hanger-hangar-illustrations
Is It 'Hanger' or 'Hangar'?

 

How to remember which is which

play video affect vs effect
Affect vs. Effect

 

Here's the lowdown on what may be the most confusing pair of words in the English language.

play serial comma
The Serial Comma Explained

 

Why don't they call it the Merriam-Webster comma?

play body parts video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

 

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

play merriam-webster eggcorns title page
What Is an Eggcorn?

 

And how did it get that name?