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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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When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

 

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

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On Contractions of Multiple Words

 

You all would not have guessed some of these

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How a Ghost Word Appeared in the Dictionary

 

An imaginary word that snuck into the dictionary

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Some Odd Words with ISMO: "Junk in the Trunk"

 

Comedian ISMO on what separates a boot from a trunk

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How to Use a Dictionary

 

The best way to find information in the dictionary

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Lay vs. Lie

 

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.