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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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A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia

 

Some imitative words are more surprising than others

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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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Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

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When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

 

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

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Further vs. Farther

 

They started as same word, but their meanings have drifted apart over time.