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"
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...
5:02
Where Did The R in Mrs. Come From?
Learn a little language history and also, where did the R in Mrs. Come from?
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.
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.
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?
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!
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
18 Redundant Phrases That We All Keep Using Unknowingly
Here are 18 redundant phrases you might be using without realizing it.
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
Thomas Edison’s Most Inspiring Words of Wisdom
These memorable quotes by Thomas Edison still hold meaning for anyone chasing big goals.
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.
These 10 Habits Will Make You Look Younger & More Radiant
These 10 simple daily habits can help you feel and look more radiant and youthful
This Man Interviewed 500 Rich People and Got These Tips!
Hill interviewed over 500 self-made millionaires over 20 years and these are his financial tips.
14:52
What Are the Odds?! - 20 Creepy Historical Coincidences
These are some of the creepiest, and most spine-chilling coincidental occurrences in history...
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!
14 Odd Inventions You Won’t Believe Were Once in Use
You might be surprised by what our ancestors considered essential gadgets.
20 Compliments to Show Your Friends You Appreciate Them
Our friends deserve to be appreciated from time to time. These compliments will surely make them smile.
The Fascinating Histories of 7 Towns That No Longer Exist
These 7 largely-forgotten towns have been abandoned for years. These are their fascinating stories.
7 Downsides to Being Highly Intelligent
Everyone thinks that being blessed with a very high IQ can only be positive, but there are also downsides. Here are 7 downsides to being highly intelligent.
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.
These Amazing Illusions Are Enough to Make Your Head Spin
Optical illusions have the potential to highlight how the human mind plays tricks when it comes to perceiving things. Take a look at these 20 optical illusions.
The 12 Words of Christmas: Funny Long Lost Phrases
If you think eggnog and wassail are funny-sounding, wait till you hear the Christmas words that didn't stand the test of time
It's Amazing to Think How Much the Ancient Egyptians Knew
Ancient Egypt was a truly amazing civilization that reached an incredible level of knowledge. Enjoy these 10 examples of how advanced it was.
The Invisible War: Deception and Espionage in WWII
Not many know about these incredibly dangerous secret operations that defined the Second World War.
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!
31:18
Jesse James: The Harsh Truth Behind the Old West Legend
Discover the story behind the life and death of Jesse James, which remains one of America's most popular myths.
9 Facts About Ancient Egypt You Probably Didn’t Know
Venture beyond the usual facts about the pyramids and Tutankhamen and learn 9 equally fascinating facts and misconceptions about Ancient Egypt
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...
7:20
Hallelujah! Watch Leonard Cohen Perform His Popular Song
Watch Leonard Cohen spellbind a London crowd with his magical rendition of the "Hallelujah" song.
17:55
Was This The Earliest Urban Civilization in Human History?
Find out the secrets of one of the earliest urban civilizations in human history.
Expand Your Knowledge with These Intriguing Facts
They say those who keep learning stay young. So if you're a keen learner, check out these fascinating facts about history, nature, and a variety of other topics!
Here Are Some Great Greetings to Send This CHRISTMAS!
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Let your loved ones know that you're thinking of them this holiday season by sending one of these greetings.
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!
6:16
WATCH: A 1960s Classic Reimagined By Iconic Performers
Must Watch! Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood and Prince perform a George Harrison classic!
10 Historical Facts That Are Really Hard to Believe
Here, we share 10 fascinating and unbelievable history facts and stories like the time when forks were sacrilegious and pineapples had a higher price than gold
Wow! These People Had Someone Looking Over Them!
These lucky people had some guardian angel looking over them that day!
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.
5:36
The Most Beautiful Guitar Rendition of 'Moonlight' Sonata
Polish guitarist Marcin Patrzalek performs Beethoven's famous 'Moonlight' Sonata.
12 Fascinating Facts About World War II
These snippets peel back the textbook narrative to reveal humanity, ingenuity, and sheer absurdity beneath the battles.
17:41
This is the History of Our World in Just 18 Minutes
Using a series of stunning illustrations, David Christian, in a riveting 18 minutes, narrates a complete history of the universe. Take a look!
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...
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?
7:00
The Red Baron, the Famous and Deadly WWI German Pilot
The story of the Red Baron, a celebrated pilot of WWI and a legendary fighter.
These Archeological Finds Continue to Baffle Researchers
Some archeological discoveries that have been made simply cannot be explained away by modern researchers. Here are 15 of these baffling finds.
18 Moments of History that Shed Light On Different Times
These 18 photos open a world of yesteryear for us to explore and enjoy.
How Good Are Your Reflexes? Try These Exercises with Kids
Here are 5 great and fun activities to test your reflexes.
Creative Shopping Ideas You’ll Wish Were Everywhere
These stores are setting new standards for what shopping should feel like.
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