play video title words of the year 1066
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 peter-sokolowski-indict-graphic
Video: Why is there a 'c' in 'indict'?

 

And who put it there, anyway?

play mrs malaprop
What is a malaprop?

 

We'll tell you all the perpendiculars

play alright allright video
Alright vs. All Right

 

Is 'alright' all right?

play hot mess
Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

play video his or her
Is singular 'they' a better choice?

 

The awkward case of 'his or her'