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"
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?
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.
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?"
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?
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.
How Long Does it Take to See Results From Exercises?
To help clarify what realistic progress actually looks like, we spoke with Micky Lal, a public health professional with a master's degree in kinesiology and more than a decade of experience as a clinical health educator. Here's what he wants you to k
You’ll Love Learning Of These Surprising Facts!
We assure you - these 14 facts are as entertaining and as they are unbelievable!
11:28
Weaponry in the Middle Ages Was Truly Fascinating!
Weapons in the Middle Ages were truly unusual and extraordinary. Some were so remarkable that they sound made up!
A Few Beautiful Thoughts About True Friendship...
We should never forget the gift that is true friendship...
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.
Six Incredible Stories of People Who Survived the Titanic
On the tragic night of the Titanic, there were some who managed to survive. Here are six 'lived to tell' inspiring stories.
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?
10 English Words That Come From Native American Languages
Some seemingly ordinary English words, such as barbecue, raccoon, and even squash, actually come from Native American languages and it's fascinating!
You Won't Find These Unusual Facts in An Encyclopedia!
In this article we have collected some incredible facts about our world that you definitely won’t find in an encyclopedia! Take a look!
Valentine's Day: Get Lovely Backgrounds for Mobile and PC
we’ve prepared a diverse collection to suit every taste and turn your screen into a beautifully designed little love keepsake. Wishing you a happy Valentine's Day!
Snuggle Up with These Feel-Good TV Shows This Winter
Cozy up this winter with these feel-good TV shows.
12:16
An In-Depth Look Into Who Princess Diana Truly Was...
A remarkable feature-length documentary that reveals a side of Diana we have never seen before.
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’.
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.
What a Mesmerizingly Beautiful Blooming Flowers Timelapse!
It took one photographer 9 months to record the images for this mesmerizing timelapse film. Watch flowers bloom like never before.
8 Honest-to-God Facts that Are Just too Weird to Believe
A list of bizarre yet true facts
5:36
The Most Beautiful Guitar Rendition of 'Moonlight' Sonata
Polish guitarist Marcin Patrzalek performs Beethoven's famous 'Moonlight' Sonata.
Service Dogs Are the Most Loyal & Courageous of Creatures
These 20 photos stand as a testament to the courage and devotion of service dogs, which have fought with and served humans throughout our history.
The Story of the Muslim Country that Saved Jews In WWII
In the following article, we will help you get to know better the amazing story of the rescue of Jews that took place in Albania, the important cultural principles that led to it, and the stories of 3 heroes who made sacrifices and took enormous pers
9:01
Learn With a Smile: A Funny History of Japan
If you've ever wanted a crash course in Japanese history without it being too dull - this is the perfect video for you.
6:21
Do You Know What Goes Into the Average Marshmallow?
Marshmallows are one of the most beloved treats in the US. But do you know what they're actually made of and hoe they are produced?
10 Ancient Artifacts That You Won't See In History Books
Some human creations have survive for centuries and tell fascinating stories. Let's take a look at a few little-known ones.
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.
These Alternate Versions of History Will Blow Your Mind...
Our world is full of 'what if?' questions, since we just love to speculate about how things could have turned out differently. Here are 10 of the best!
The Astonishing Life and Philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein
It is the true story of Ludwig Wittgenstein, the man who sat in the same classroom as Adolf Hitler, became the protégé of the philosopher Bertrand Russell, and changed the face of 20th-century philosophy
These 24 Fascinating Photographs Will Surprise & Amaze You
Here are 24 of the most amazing and surprising photographs ever seen on the internet!
Louis Armstrong Said it Best, Didn't He...?
This amazing song can really open your eyes to nature's beauty, and the beauty we make for ourselves.
This Family Moved to the Arctic Circle to Live in a Dome
This Norwegian family is incredibly bold - its members chose to move to the Arctic Circle to live there permanently. Their home is also sustainable. Take a look
These Optical Illusions Will Leave Your Brain Befuddled
The optical illusions you're about to see are all completely static. In spite of that, they all appear to be moving. Can you figure out what's going on?
4:13
This is What Happened to the Man Who Didn't Salute Hitler!
Nearly eight decades have passed since a camera captured the moment a man refused to give Hitler a Nazi salute. Here's what happened to him.
4:33
Did You Know That Loofah Sponges Are Made of Cucumbers?
Many people are convinced that loofah sponges are made of sea animals, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Loofahs are actually grown on a farm!
7:19
Palm Oil Is the Cheapest Plant Oil on the Planet, But Why?
A major reason why palm oil is so ubiquitous is that it's so cheap. Why is there so much controversy around this oil, then, and how is it related to its cost?
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.
Peek Inside This Historical Photo Album of Famous Faces
Here are some famous people, photographed in their younger days
5:10
The Art of War by Sun Tzu: A Beautiful Summary
Sun Tzu's the Art of War is still perhaps the greatest treatise on military strategy ever. This animated short explains the book in under 10 minutes.
8 Bizarre Customs From Not-So-Long Ago
Here are 8 practices that used to be viewed as normal in the past, but today they seem bizarre, dangerous... or both!
The Invisible War: Deception and Espionage in WWII
Not many know about these incredibly dangerous secret operations that defined the Second World War.
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.
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.
15 Powerful Images That'll Make Ponder
Here are some motivational pictures that will help you get through the weekend.
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.
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.
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