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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

play video websters video of 1864
Webster's Dictionary of 1864

 

The landmark edition that transformed the way dictionaries are made.

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Is It 'Hanger' or 'Hangar'?

 

How to remember which is which

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How to Use a Dictionary

 

The best way to find information in the dictionary

play further vs farther video
Further vs. Farther

 

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

play video cynic
The History of 'Cynic'

 

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