Have you pondered questions such as where did the expression "OK" came from, or what the longest word in the English language is? Ponder no more, because one of the world authorities on the English language, the Oxford Dictionary, has released a series of videos that give some fascinating insight. Take a look:
1. Where did the expression "OK" come from?
2. What is the longest word in the English language?
3. Exactly how many is a billion?
4. Is the letter Y a vowel, a consonant, or both?
5. The Origins of "Nicotine", "Silhouette" and "Leotard"
5:23
What Made the Merriam-Webster Dictionary Last So Long
How do new words get added do the dictionary? Watch the surprising history of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary to find out...
Enrich Every Conversation With Some Fancy But Useful Words
These 15 words give us a fancy way to say normal things and a good chance to impress people with a supremely versatile vocabulary.
5:02
Where Did The R in Mrs. Come From?
Learn a little language history and also, where did the R in Mrs. Come from?
English Vocab History: Few Can Pass This Vocabulary Quiz?
These 14 words have really strayed away from their original meaning, can you guess what words like 'girl' and 'clue' used to mean?
What's Portmanteau? Surprising Etymologies of Common Words
If If you have ever said the words brunch, sitcom or spam, you have used portmanteaus. This is the fascinating origins story of many common words...
What is the Troxler Effect and How Does it Affect You?
Learn about Troxler's effect and the optical illusions it creates in life.
Can You Believe These Words Didn’t Exist Before the 1970s?
When a new words spreads it seems it's been around forever. But in reality, many of the words we use everyday are quite new. These didn't exist before the 1970s.
14 Movie Recommendations You Won’t Want to Miss
Which films deserve to be added to your watch list? Here are 14 suggestions (with trailers) that are sure to inspire and emote you.
Panama Canal: Engineering Miracle with a Shocking History
You may not know it but the Panama Canal is one of the 20th century's greatest achievements. When you read its incredible history you will understand why.
Video Collection: Learn Something New Today!
It's never too late to learn something new, so give these 16 educational videos a watch and see what you can learn today!
The Significance of Each Christmas Tree Decoration
We all tend to put up Christmas decorations and go through all the rituals every year, but do we know what the symbolism behind them is? Find out here.
15 Common Words You Are Pronouncing WRONG
Here is a list of some of the most common English words that are generally mispronounced by a majority of us.
You’d Be Surprised at How Valuable These Old Items Are!
These 9 ordinary old items that could be extremely valuable today. Some of them may be collecting dust in your home right now...
6:20
What's Hidden UNDER the Colosseum?
The exterior of the Colosseum is certainly epic, but the most remarkable part of this ancient structure is actually hidden underneath the surface...
Ruby Chocolate is More Than Just Its Pretty Pink Color
Ruby chocolate, the "fourth type of chocolate", has been gaining a lot of attention of late. Is it really a different type of chocolate?
We Bet You Never Knew the Origins of These Common Idioms!
We bet you use the following 8 common idioms all the time, but have you ever stopped to take the time to think about where they came from?
15:14
Ancient Technologies That Remain a Complete Mystery
Scientists may have solved the mystery of Egyptian pyramids, but there are still so many findings that are left completely unexplained
10 of the OLDEST Perfumes in the World
Here's a list of 10 perfumes on the scale from vintage to antique you can still buy today WITHOUT breaking the bank!
The US Is Home to 6 Extremely Valuable Hidden Treasures
Yes, hidden treasures truly exist. And they might be closer than you though - these 6 lost treasures are believed to be somewhere in the US...
29:45
Ancient Rome Had Different Kinds of Gladiators...
There’s much we don’t know about these amazing fighters and this documentary sheds some in-depth light on every known type of gladiator from Ancient Rome.
The Weird and Wonderful History of Perfume!
Perfume has been around for centuries and this article takes a look at its strange history.
12:52
Common Misconceptions About the Roman Empire
Not everything we hear and read about the Ancient Roman Empire is true, you know... These facts, for example, turned out to be pure fiction!
What is the Trait Many Creative People Have in Common?
Turns out the 'mad genius' trope is rooted in truth. Studies show that the feeling of ‘not belonging’ is indeed linked to creativity levels.
Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills with These Great Tips
If you want to improve your critical thinking skills then you should take a look at these fantastic tips.
1:09
Astonishing: Can You See This Monochrome Image in Color?
This must be one of the most impressive brain tricks you will ever try!
These Greetings Are For Wishing a Fantastic NEW YEAR!
A New Year is the time for resolutions, a fresh start and general optimism. Share these sentiments with a loved one with one of our amazing greetings.
16 Really Weird Facts About Famous World Events
Some really weird things happened at the most famous events in world history. Here are 16 really weird facts about famous world events.
Instead of Plastic, These People Used Smart Alternatives
Check out 14 excellent examples of people and companies fighting the global plastic problem.
The Invisible War: Deception and Espionage in WWII
Not many know about these incredibly dangerous secret operations that defined the Second World War.
These Beauty Practices of the Past Look Strange Today…
17 fascinating photos of beauty procedures, treatments, and practices from the first half of the 20th century that look strange and curious today
Remember Mr. Rogers? He Left Us With Many Great Quotes
Fred Rogers was a beloved children's television star during his life, but he was also an incredibly insightful & smart man. Here are 20 of his greatest quotes.
Did You Know These Vintage Items Might Be Worth Something?
Did you know that there are certain items in your home that might just be worth something? Take a look at these 12 vintage items that may be valuable.
22 Old Photos That Really Make History Come Alive
Looking through these old black and white photos you can really learn a lot about history and the world. These 22 photos generates that mind-blowing spark and teaches you something new.
The Best Movies That Lost Best Picture at the Oscars
Here’s a look at some of the most memorable films that missed out on Best Picture at the Oscars.
Keep a Conversation Flowing With These Historical Facts
If a conversation you're having starts to stall, just throw out some of these amazing historical facts and you’ll be talking long into the night!
When an Ancient Egyptian Tomb Was Opened, This Was Inside
Finding Tutankhamun's tomb was one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in history. These recolored photos capture those incredible days.
Every Common Phrase Started Somehow...
The origins of these common phrases are fascinating.
12 Mind-Blowing History Facts You Never Knew Were True!
These historical facts may not sound particularly likely, but trust us, they're really true!
In the 1800s, They Thought We'd Be Living Like This Today?
The European artists who created the postcards below were asked to predict what life would be like in 2000.
3:25
Rescued from the Fighting Pits - Sam`s Story
The true soul of a dog is kind, no matter what they go through in life. Sam is a testament to that.
10 Words that Mean the Opposite of What They Used to Mean
These meaning of words we know today used to have an opposite meaning when they were first used.
4:56
WATCH: These Soldiers Can Sing as Well as They Serve
These soldiers aren't just trained for service—they've mastered harmonies that hit you right in the heart.
Let’s Learn About 7 of the Longest Words!
Did you know that the longest word to appear in literature clocks at a staggering 183 letters? Find out about more such longest words.
3:47
This Truly is One of the Best Elvis Performances
Enjoy this blast from the past: the king of rock and roll, Elvis Presley sings his famous song ‘My Way’ in a 1973 concert.
10 Battles in History Most People Don't Know About
The world would have been very different had it not been for these battles.
The Extraordinary Origins of 10 Common English Words
In this article, we uncover the extraordinary etymology of 10 common English words, including ‘daisy’, ‘eavesdropper’, and ‘vaccine’.
8 Ordinary English Words With Surprisingly Spicy Origins
The origins of all these 8 seemingly innocent words - e.g. gymnasium, avocado, and nice - are not for the faint of heart, as they're quite naughty!
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