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"
8:01
Why Did We Start Going to the Beach For Fun?
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There's Simply No Equivalent For These Words In English...
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Enrich Every Conversation With Some Fancy But Useful Words
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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?"
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.
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’.
14:32
This Old Interview Sheds Light on 19th Century Living
This collection features rare, restored interviews with individuals born in the nineteenth century
These Fun Infographics Will Pique Your Interest!
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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!
Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills with These Great Tips
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Why Do the Days of the Week Have Such Strange Names?
Why do the days of the week have names? Who are they named after?
I Love Seeing People Completely Change Their Body
I love seeing the physical manifestation of people's true will to better themselves.
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!
12:42
Let a Violin Rockstar Brighten Your Day
Professional violin player Ji-Hae's mission to bring beautiful music to everyone.
These WW2 Testimonies Shed New Light on the War...
Whether you are a WWII history buff, or were personally affected by the terrible conflict, you are sure to appreciate this unique collection of war interviews.
The 10 Most Powerful Regrets People Have at the End
What are the 10 biggest regrets people have at the end of their days? Find out the truth...
These 15 Interesting Facts Really Surprised Me!
Our world is full of surprises, amazing stories, funny coincidences and events you've never heard of - so we've collected 16 of them to share with you ...
Here Are 18 Facts That Are Bound to Blow Your Mind!
Here are 18 amazing facts that you won't be forgetting anytime soon!
15 Latin Phrases We Use to This Day Without Even Realizing
As an English, speaker you likely know more Latin than you ever thought you did. Just look at these 15 Latin phrases and see if you know what they mean...
16 Absolutely Unforgettable Historical Photographs
Take a peek at these unforgettable 16 photos, and see history from a brand new perspective.
13:02
Were You Aware of These English Language Mistakes?
Learn how to avoid some common English language mistakes by understanding some little-known truths.
The Most Famous Acts of Revenge in History
Each of these 5 stories reveals how far people have gone to right perceived wrongs – changing the world around them, for better or worse, in their relentless pursuit of retribution.
10 Insightful Greek Proverbs You've Never Heard Of
Take a look at some common Greek proverbs that are full of wisdom.
2:57
An Electrifying Piano Performance… at an Airport!
Watch pianist Evgeny Khmara wow passengers at at airport in Malta with an electrifying performance.
11 Clever Contronyms - Same Word, Opposite Meanings
Have you ever heard of contronyms? Here’s a hint - these are words that contradict themselves.
These Well-Known Places Have Their Hidden Secrets!
These well-known places have their hidden secrets. Read this article to reveal all!
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.
6:09
Who Knew You Can Create Illusions Using Water?
Have you have ever seen optical illusions with water? This video will blow your mind.
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.
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...
5:17
A Romantic Heart Beats in This Singing Priest's Chest
Marriage is a holy sacrament the beauty of which can scarcely be expressed in mere words. No wonder it compelled this overcome priest to burst into song...
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
Honey vs. Maple Syrup – Which Sweetener Should I Use?
There are plenty of key differences between honey and maple syrup than you probably realized.
These Regulations Should be Adopted by Every Country!
There are weird laws in different parts of the world, but some of them are so amazingly beneficial, they should be put into use everywhere.
11 Surprising Facts About Dictionaries You Never Knew!
Learn some little-known yet fascinating facts about dictionaries that will help you appreciate them a little more.
The True Scale of These Things Will Really Surprise You!
Did you know that there are actually a lot of things in our world that are far bigger in reality than most people would expect. Here of 20 of them.
25:05
It Took This Man a Year to Replicate Coca-Cola's Secrets
What if one person could crack one of the world's most guarded secrets using pure science?
1:40
The Man Who Saved 669 Children
Sir Nicholas Winton organised the rescue and passage to Britain of about 669, Czechoslovakian children, mostly Jewish, destined for the Nazi death camps before World War II in an operation known as the Czech Kindertransport. This video is the BBC Pro
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.
10 Incredible Autobiographies We Should All Be Reading...
These autobiographies are absolute must-reads for you to enjoy. They are written by some of the world' most famous people, so you should definitely have a read.
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
Boost Your Knowledge & Confidence with These Facts
These 20 facts will help boost your knowledge.
The Dark and Fascinating History of the Romanov Family
For more than three hundred years, the Romanov family had absolute power over Russia, this is their fascinating story.
15 Jaw-Dropping Facts You'll Find Hard to Believe!
Want to find out who really built the pyramids, or how many teeth a snail has? Here are 15 of the most unbelievable yet true facts.
25 Old Photos That Show How Different the World Used To Be
Check out this amazing collection of vintage pictures that show us how much the world around us has changed.
15 Enchanting Tree Houses That You Would Love to Stay In
In this collection of pictures, we've featured some of the best and most charming treehouses from around the world.
Where Did These Common Sayings Come From? Fascinating!
You're probably aware of these common sayings, but where did they originate from? Fascinating!
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