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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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How Do You Pronounce 'Groceries'?

 

Is there one standard way?

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'One in the same' or 'One and the same'?

 

Is it all the same anyway?

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The Serial Comma Explained

 

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

play video old school grammar humorsome
Old-School Grammar

 

Many of today's grammar rules can be traced to the opinions of one 18th century writer.

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Healthy vs. Healthful

 

Why both words are equally good for you.

play video cynic
The History of 'Cynic'

 

How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.