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"
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.
There's Simply No Equivalent For These Words In English...
There are some words that simply don't translate from one language into another, and plenty of these words don't actually translate into English. Take a look.
3:53
Why Do Cats Like Catnip?
Are they really getting "high," or is there scientific logic behind cats' love of catnip?
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.
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...
This 10-Minute Read Will Make You a Bourbon Expert
Are you unsure of the difference between whiskey, bourbon, and scotch? We are here to clarify.
You Know These 10 Foreign Words Without Even Realizing It
We’re willing to bet that you know more foreign words than you think, even if English is the only language you speak. Here’s why...
Inspire Friends and Loved Ones With These Great Greetings
Show your friends that you're thinking of them today with an inspiring greeting!
6 World Famous Figures Who Kept Their Identity a Secret
Being famous doesn't have to mean everyone knows everything about you - these 6 enigmatic figures are world-famous yet no one truly knows who they are.
6:24
Wow! It's Amazing What This Man Can Do On a Bike!
In this video, Danny MacAskill explores the rural landscape around Edinburgh on his trusty mountain bike. Check out some of the amazing tricks in this video.
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.
5 Historical Battles that Have Quite the Story to Tell
Read all about five of the most historically important battles to have ever graced this earth, many of which were fought and won by the underdogs.
13:08
Watch the Great City of Chicago as it Was in the 1930s...
A rare and vivid window into the daily life, fashion, and architecture of Chicago during a defining decade in American history.
8 Incredible Historical Predictions that Actually Came True
Here, we present some truly remarkable fictional predictions made in history that actually turned out to be true.
Get Lost in These 15 Surreal Optical Illusions!
After looking at these weird optical illusions you might never trust your eyes again.
16 Delightful Hidden Details Found in Everyday Objects
Sometimes, when taking a closer look, seemingly-ordinary objects may reveal cool little hidden details, as these photos prove.
Ukrainian-Russian War: A review of 2024's impact in the War
The year 2024 saw the Russia-Ukraine war grind on into a second full year, marked by intense fighting on multiple fronts, high-stakes diplomatic initiatives, and a worsening humanitarian toll.
Dogs: A Super Collection of Posts On Man's Best Friend
This collection will tell you some amazing things about our incredible friends, from learning the different breeds to dog psychology and much more. Have a pawsome day!
14:52
What Are the Odds?! - 20 Creepy Historical Coincidences
These are some of the creepiest, and most spine-chilling coincidental occurrences in history...
14 Dizzying Optical Illusions That Move and Confuse You
All of these optical illusions are completely static, but your brain will try to convince you otherwise!
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.
12 Bizarre Events You Won’t Believe Actually Happened
Check out these 12 unbelievable facts that will leave you amazed.
These Photos Prove How Weird Our World Has Always Been
These strange yet intriguing photos depict what our world has gone through in its history.
8 Historical Misunderstandings of the First Christmas
Some of the details that you have heard about the first Christmas are completely wrong. Here are 8 things that we bet you didn't know about the first Christmas.
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.
10:06
This Fascinating Video Explores the Origins of Mankind
This video will explain exactly what our prehistoric ancestors used to get up to. Fascinating!
13 Geniuses, Who On Some Level, May Have Been a Little Mad
These geniuses may have been smart, but they are incredibly weird too!
2:59
A Fistful of Dollars: Live and Unforgettable Performance
Watch The Danish National Symphony Orchestra perform Ennio Morricone’s classic song "A Fistful of Dollars."
2:29
CDs Become Magic Tools in This Mind-Bending Act
Watch this mind-bending magic act by Florian Sainvet in America's Got Talent.
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...
19:01
How Islam Separated Into Sunni and Shia: The Full Story
What happened, and why did it cause Islam to split into two factions?
These Nutrition Apps Will Help You Lead a Healthy Life
These free food and nutrition apps will help you lead a healthy lifestyle.
8 Mysterious Objects Found By Deep Sea Divers
The oceans are vast and mysterious, and they hide many strange and curious lost objects. Here are 8 such items, unearthed by deep-sea divers.
These Slang Words Are Sure to Tickle Your Funny Bone
We’ve collected 11 silly-sounding slang words starting from Victorian times all the way to the present day so that all of us could have a good laugh!
8 Hilarious Malapropisms by Famous Figures
Everyone, from politicians to celebrities, had a language slip-up at least once...
14 Odd Inventions You Won’t Believe Were Once in Use
You might be surprised by what our ancestors considered essential gadgets.
8:07
Which of These Old Bathroom Features Do You Want Back?
These old bathroom trends have disappeared over time.
If You Have Old Toys Laying Around, You Might Be Rich
If you've got any of these toys from the 1980s laying around, then you might just be sitting on a goldmine!
How to Lend a Hand During Los Angeles Wildfire Crisis
Thousands of California residents have been forced to flee their homes because of the devastating LA wildfires. Here’s how to help victims.
5:50
Watch This Couple Go Through 60 Years of Aging...
This young couple found out with some magical help from talented makeup artists. The results are remarkable, and the ending filled my eyes with tears.
8 Well-Known Mysteries We Never Knew Had Been Solved
Uncovering the the secrets behind popular ‘unsolved mysteries’.
12:39
WATCH: 110-Year-Old Supercentenarian Talks of Life
Born in 1906, and having served in the South Pacific during WWII, Richard Overton is the US' oldest living veteran. Watch this video about his remarkable life.
Every Common Phrase Started Somehow...
The origins of these common phrases are fascinating.
15 Amazing Items of the Past People Found in Their Homes
The nooks and crannies of our homes may contain some really fascinating vintage items...
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.
1:39
Cute Overload: Dreaming Puppies!
A video of 2 english bulldog puppies enjoying a visit to their own canine dreamland, who knows what kind of adventures they going on?
You Won’t Believe These 11 Phrases Are Over a Century Old
These 11 words and phrases seem like they're a recent invention in English, but they're actually at least a century old...
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