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"
28:20
How Did European Countries Get Their Names?
Did you know that the word Spain, the name of the country, is translated from Phoenician as "the land of rabbits?"
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!
8:01
Why Did We Start Going to the Beach For Fun?
Did you know that going to the beach for recreation is a relatively new invention? For most of human history, the concept simply did not exist...
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.
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?
This is the Cheekiest Dictionary
If you think dictionaries were dry and pedantic, you'd be right. That is, they were, until these cheeky definitions came along.
6 Creepy Mysteries the World Never Solved
There are some mysteries that, despite scientists’ best attempts, still remain unsolved to this day. Here are 6 such mysteries.
2:50
Laugh Out Loud With This Funny String Quartet Performance
Watch this truly hilarious musical performance by comedy string quartet known as the MozART group.
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.
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.
The Mongol Empire: Rise, Expansion, and Legacy
What follows is a narrative overview of the Mongol Empire – from its tribal origins and unification under Genghis Khan, to its gradual decline and lasting impact on world history.
0:44
Baby Ducks Make for Poor Students!
Poor Little Duckling Trying to Stay Awake...
8 Influential Ancient Sumerian Inventions You Should Know
Find out some of the prominent and influential inventions by ancient Sumerians that helped change our world.
These Theories On Reality Will Blow Your Mind
There are many crazy theories about the nature of reality, but some of them definitely outdo the others. Here are 10 mind-blowing theories about reality.
21 Incredible Items Unearthed by Metal Detectors
Metal detecting is a surprisingly popular hobby. Here are some of the coolest and most valuable items found by amateur metal detector hobbyists.
12 Bizarre Events You Won’t Believe Actually Happened
Check out these 12 unbelievable facts that will leave you amazed.
Then & Now Photos Show How the World Has Changed
Here are some of the best pictures contributed by their users. Which impressed you most?
15 Things That Remind Us of a Time When Life Was Simpler
Have a look at these 15 different trends and customs from yesteryear that really need to come back into fashion!
Our Weather is Crazy: 20 Facts You Won't Believe!
These facts will put any curiosities that you may have about the weather to rest.
21:24
True Crime Story: The Shotgun Booby-Trap
The case of Bertha Briney and the house that was booby trapped with a shotgun...
10 of the Most Spectacular Royal Crowns in the World
Crowns have long been seen as a strong symbol of power and wealth. Here are some of the world's most recognized crowns and tiaras.
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.
14 Photos That Prove Just How Tough Winter Can Be!
Winter, as these photos undoubtedly show, is one of the toughest times of the year!
10 Fascinating History Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
In this article, we collected 10 absolutely fascinating historical facts, many of which touch upon the unexpected origins of concepts like New Year's resolutions.
8:29
Watch the Oldest Recorded Footage of New York City
Watch super-rare footage of old NYC that goes back to the late 1800's, complete with a corresponding map to show you where exactly it was shot from.
2:59
Rare History: Watch as Helen Keller "Speaks"!
Long before Steven Hawking astounded us with his resolve in the face of adversity, there was a woman who was shocked the world with her ability to have a life, gain a degree and even become an author, political activist, and lecturer.
Although People Think These Are US Creations, They're Not
There are certain foods, things and inventions that are just synonymous with America, but they were actually invented elsewhere. Here are 15 of them.
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!
25 Photos That Capture Profound Historic Moments
We can see a whole century of monumental events go by in these photos...
16 Jaw-Dropping Archeological Finds
Even if you weren’t a fan of the subject back in school, you’ll love the visual history lesson we prepared for you today.
48:04
Documentary: Uncovering the Mystery Surrounding Pompeii
This fascinating documentary reveals the terrible truth of what happened to the people of Pompeii on that fated day...
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.
12 Typical American Things That Didn’t Originate in the US
Many things we often think are typically American, such as cowboys, comic strips and mac & cheese, have actually started far away from the USA
6 Famous Places And Objects Which Never Existed
If you hear a story enough times, eventually you will start believing it's true. Here are 6 examples of famous historical places and objects which never existed...
16 Wonderful Japanese Ideas We Should All Start Copying
The Japanese are unique. Their ways seem perfectly designed to help the population live happy fruitful lives. Here are 16 cool Japanese things we should copy.
7:39
This Man's Death-Defying Ride Will Make Your Heart Race!
Follow pro cyclist Danny MacAskill as he goes back to his birthplace and gets to fulfill his lifelong dream
How About Learning Some Fun SLANG From Colonial Times?
Here are 14 fascinating words from Colonial times that sadly didn’t survive until the present days, but we certainly think they’re worth bringing back!
16 Small Treasures People Found by Chance
When you open your eyes, the chances of finding something amazing and unexpected increase by the minute. Here are 16 unique objects people found by chance.
23:18
Will the Alcatraz Mystery Ever Be Solved?
What happened to the three prisoners who managed to escape from Alcatraz prison? All is revealed in this intriguing documentary.
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.
So Long, Pope Francis: The Story of a Beloved Pope
Let's have a look at the remarkable life and legacy of Pope Francis, exploring the experiences and values that have shaped his papacy and inspired a global community.
The Secrets Behind 5 Famous and Beloved Magic Tricks!
Get to know the secrets behind well-known magic tricks with these 6 fascinating explanations.
20 Cognitive Biases Ruining Our Decision Making Process
If you find it hard to make a decision, these cognitive stumbling blocks could be what's affecting your behavior.
12 Terrific Charts That Explain Things Visually
These terrific visual guides will teach you all sorts of things, from how to use the right type of knife, to preparing a delicious cup of green tea at home.
The Royal Jewelry Collection: Let's Take a Peek...
The British royal family has some of the most spectacular pieces of jewelry in the world. Take a look at this post to see amazing tiaras, necklaces and earrings
The Truth Behind These Animal Myths Will Shock You
Here are a list of facts about animals we thought to be true.
27:39
5 Terribly Disastrous First Contact Stories from History
Each story is a lesson in misread intentions, power struggles, and the high stakes of meeting the unknown. Watch how these pivotal moments shaped the world.
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