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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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Some Odd Words with ISMO: "The One-derful Won"

 

Comedian ISMO tries to figure out 'one' and 'two'

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Lay vs. Lie

 

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.

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'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'?

 

We're gonna stop you right there

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What Is an Eggcorn?

 

And how did it get that name?

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What is a malaprop?

 

We'll tell you all the perpendiculars

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The Serial Comma Explained

 

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