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"
13 Palindromes That’ll Make You Laugh
People have been enjoying palindromes for centuries - here are 13 funny examples that are sure to make crack you up.
Is Your English Is Perfect? You'll Find Out Soon Enough!
Do you think that you know the plurals of some of the trickiest words that the English language has to offer? Give this quiz a shot and find out!
The Origins of Labor Day With Vintage Parade Photos
A brief history of Labor Day accompanied by original vintage photos from past Labor Day parades around the US and Canada.
When GH Says F: Why Does This Occur?
We're meeting up on the corner of history and linguistics to learn why GH is pronounced as F.
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...
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...
Impress Your Friends With These Quirky Latin Phrases
Make yourself look wiser and more romantic by using these ten Latin phrases on a daily basis.
Discover How This Board Game Saved Thousands During WWII
Find out how a simple board game helped around 20,000 British prisoners escape from German camps during World War II.
These Inventors Changed the World Forever
These inventors changed the world with their inventions, but can you name any of them? Here are 8 little-known inventors that changed the world.
23 Extraordinary Vision Facts That'll Open Your Eyes Wide
The eye is an amazing body part, but did you know how amazing? These 23 facts will open your eyes to the extraordinary truth.
15 Powerful Images That'll Make Ponder
Here are some motivational pictures that will help you get through the weekend.
The 10 Greatest British Monarchs in History
Do you know about the greatest monarchs in British history? Don't fret if you don't, because you're about to learn all about them right now.
A Dying Father's Heart Moving Gesture...
A beautiful and touching gesture by a dying father.
These Quotes Are Often Misused or Misunderstood By People
There are many famous quotes that get used continuously by people around the world, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they're being used properly.
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Discover Similarities Between Ancient & Modern Math
Did you know that the ancient Egyptians used the same system of math as the supercomputers of today do? Find out more in this informative video.
Do You Know What All These Acronyms Stand For?
There are many famous acronyms around, but do you know what they stand for? Here are 21 acronyms you've always wondered about.
These Wonderful Shots Are From Many Special Times Gone By
Nostalgia can be a beautiful thing, and these beautiful black and white images reinforce that notion. Jump back into the past with these shots.
I Had No Idea These Brand Names Are Actually Acronyms
There are loads of brand names out there that are actually acronyms, and here are some of the most surprising ones!
Did I Lock the Door? How to Stop Forgetting Small Tasks
It's common to mot remeber wather or not you locked the door or answered an email. New study reveals why it happens and how to avoid it.
Find Inspiration in These Amazing Japanese Sayings
These beautiful Japanese proverbs offer invaluable lessons on love, life, and wisdom.
15 Vintage Toys All '60s and '50s Kids Know and Love
Ready to revisit 15 of the most loved and remembered vintage toys from the '60s and '50s?
10 Jaw-Dropping History Facts We Never Knew Were True...
These little-known historical facts and stories show us just how little we all know about life’s mysteries and history’s twists and turns.
15 Quotes by Meryl Streep That Inspire Everyone
Meryl Streep, the queen of acting, has shared many wonderful words on life and success that everyone will find inspiring.
8 Most Expensive Auction Items Sold in the Last Decade
This article explores the seven most expensive items sold at auction between 2015 and 2025
Love is Beautifully Captured in These Historic Photos...
While much has changed over the last century, there is one thing that has always remained the same, and that is love. Take a look at this photo collection.
This Discovery Will Change All We Know About Dinosaurs
The Chilesaurus could change the dinosaur family tree as we know it. Read on to find out why.
18 of the Most Incredibly-Timed Photos You'll Ever See
These photos will leave you in awe of their timing. The visual impact they have is staggering. Take a look at these 18 images.
Incredible Story: The Woman Who Can SMELL Parkinson's
In this piece, we'd like to introduce you to Joy's story, the series of events that led her to "encounter" Parkinson's disease, and its significance for the future of the medical world.
These Useful Charts Are Handy In Various Life Situations!
With infographics and charts, you can learn and remember new information in such an easy and fun way!
These Lesser-Known History Facts Are Rather Surprising
Whether you're an avid historian or a bit of a novice to the subject, I'm sure that you will find these 10 facts rather surprising.
20:10
The Incredible Story Behind the Taum Sauk Dam Failure
It’s a story of failure, recovery, and hard lessons in the power of infrastructure—and the price of overlooking risk.
10 Insightful Greek Proverbs You've Never Heard Of
Take a look at some common Greek proverbs that are full of wisdom.
5 Ways Learning a New Language Benefits Your Brain
It turns out that knowing more than one language has a variety of positive effects on our brain
18 Moments of History that Shed Light On Different Times
These 18 photos open a world of yesteryear for us to explore and enjoy.
The 12 Moonwalkers: The Men Who Touched The Lunar Surface
Here's a look at the only 12 men in history to have walked on the surface of the moon.
8:21
This Whale Is Full of Gratitude to the Humans Who Saved Him
This whale gave thanks for being rescued.
Do You Remember the Things that Defined the 1950s?
The 1950s marked the beginning of the postwar era, increased prosperity and drastic changes to everyday life. Here are 10 things that defined the 1950s.
26:07
These Kids Proved They’re the Smartest in the World!
Get ready to meet some of the most impressive young minds to hit the Got Talent stage.
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.
Facts from History You’ve Likely Never Heard Before
If you’re someone who loves uncovering the lesser-known corners of the past, you’ll find something special here.
10:30
Time Travel Back to the 19th Century in This Vintage Video
This amazingly rare footage gives us a peek of different parts of the world from the 19th century.
44:39
Full Documentary: The Fascinating History of the Dark Ages
Watch this fascinating documentary that sheds some great insight into how Rome fell, and what the Dark Ages actually consisted of.
11:02
The Incredible History of China's Terracotta Army
China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang Di, had built a platoon of clay soldiers to accompany him in the afterlife. Find out more about this unusual piece of history.
1:25
This Beautifully Restored Video Makes the 1930s Come Alive
This brilliantly restored video from 1939 features a lively scene of women swing-dancing the Lindy Hop.
Hilarious: When Words Sound Alike But Mean Different...
Homophones are words that sound exactly the same, but aren't spelled the same and mean something different. Here are 15 that are the wordiest of words.
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.
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