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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 a Ghost Word Appeared in the Dictionary

 

An imaginary word that snuck into the dictionary

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Is singular 'they' a better choice?

 

The awkward case of 'his or her'

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Webster's Dictionary of 1864

 

The landmark edition that transformed the way dictionaries are made.

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How Do You Pronounce 'Groceries'?

 

Is there one standard way?

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Drive Safe: In Praise of Flat Adverbs

 

You don't have to end all your adverbs in -ly to talk right.