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"
Is Your English Is Perfect? You'll Find Out Soon Enough!
Do you think that you know the plurals of some of the trickiest words that the English language has to offer? Give this quiz a shot and find out!
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?
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.
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...
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?"
Funny: When Words Sound Alike With Different Meanings
Homophones are words that sound exactly the same, but aren't spelled the same and mean something different. Here are 20 that are the wordiest of words.
3:25
Rescued from the Fighting Pits - Sam`s Story
The true soul of a dog is kind, no matter what they go through in life. Sam is a testament to that.
Did You Know These Interesting Facts About Colors?
A short article explaining why and how specific colors were chosen for everyday objects like cabs and police uniforms.
7 Facts About Ancient Humans That May Surprise You
Our ancient forefathers displayed many moments of courage and even ingenuity. Here are 7 fascinating and surprising facts about prehistoric humans.
10 Amazing Facts You Didn't Know About Christmas
With Christmas just a few days away, get to know these fun and interesting facts about the festival to get into the holiday spirit.
East India: The Story of the Richest Company in History
How did the East Indian Company gain and consolidate its power and profit? All is revealed here.
Don’t Say These Words Abroad, You Might Be Misunderstood
These 15 words are all similar to English ones, but they mean something completely different in other languages
6:49
Secrets to Longevity from the Oldest People in the World
Meet the oldest people living in 2024.
The Golden Age of Old Hollywood: The People We Loved
Look at these gorgeous pictures to see how stars used to be...
7 Accidental Finds That Made People Extremely Rich
The luck that you need in life can be waiting for you anywhere - these seven people prove that!
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.
10 Insightful Greek Proverbs You've Never Heard Of
Take a look at some common Greek proverbs that are full of wisdom.
9:37
What Did the Future Mean to 1958 High Schoolers?
Peep into a high school debate from 1958 about the teenager's future. Are their arguments still relevant today?
These Benches Tell a Story: Witty & Heartfelt Tributes
These bench plaques will warm your heart instantly.
17 Fascinating Facts About Anything and Everything
The world never ceases to surprise us. Here are 17 fascinating facts about history, nature, recent affairs, and anything in between.
The Medieval Disease That’s Perplexing Science to This Day
Past epidemics have turned into a hot topic recently, but there is one disease that seems to be forgotten. What is the sweating sickness and how did it originate?
58:01
Full Documentary: Genghis Khan's Legendary Mongol Empire
Learn all about his incredible conquests of the legendary Genghis Khan this cinematic full-length documentary.
19:02
Hitler's Olympics: The 1936 Berlin Olympic Games
When the Olympics became a Nazi showcase.
History: Why Captain Morgan Was Hailed a Hero in the UK
Read through the fascinating story of Captain Henry Morgan.
24:30
21 Fascinating Facts About Word Origins You Never Knew
Linguist Gareth Roberts provides some fascinating insights into the origins of different words.
19:11
18 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Medieval Times
Watch Medieval Literature Dr. Dorsey Armstrong answer all the important questions related to the Middle Ages.
Bottoms Up! 12 Surprising Facts About Beer!
Twelve fascinating facts about the ancient alcoholic drink known simply as - beer.
10 Unspoiled Fossils of Animals & Other Items Explained
Every year, new amazing fossils are uncovered, and in this article, we explain some impressive recent finds.
Things Have Changed So Much in the Last 110 Years
Cast your thoughts back to 1915, 100 years ago. You'll be amazed, when you contemplate the breathtaking changes that have taken place. Here 19 such changes.
Thomas Edison’s Most Inspiring Words of Wisdom
These memorable quotes by Thomas Edison still hold meaning for anyone chasing big goals.
This Could’ve Been the Worst Nuclear Catastrophe in the US
In 1961, the US avoided a major nuclear disaster thanks to sheer luck...
The 12 Moonwalkers: The Men Who Touched The Lunar Surface
Here's a look at the only 12 men in history to have walked on the surface of the moon.
This Lost WWII Postcard is a Moving Glimpse Into History
Bill Caldwell's family was astonished to receive a postcard from him - sent in 1943!
12:45
Kings on Wheels: 15 Incredible Drivers Show Their Stuff!
You will be amazed at the maneuvering skills of these talented drivers.
You’ve Probably Been Mistaking These Foods for Each Other
In this article, we will look at a few food pairs that have commonly confused all of us.and help you tell the difference between them.
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.
10 Words We Use Every Day That Shakespeare Made Popular
Shakespeare is believed to have invented 1,700 words, but these 10 should be taken off the list, as he didn't invent, but popularized them.
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.
These Huge Hairdos Will Make You Glad It's Not the 1960s!
People have always been extremely dedicated to their appearance, and nothing exemplifies this better than 1960s hairstyles. Take a look at this huge hairdos!
4:10
It's Time to Learn All About Ancient Mesopotamia
Learn all about Ancient Mesopotamia, once known as the 'land between two rivers,' in this informative video.
You Won’t Believe What These Old Buildings Once Were
Check out these cool pictures of some old buildings that have now been completely transformed.
13 Honest Charts & Graphs That Describe Our Lives Too Well
Artist Irina Blok's illustrated charts and graphs about everyday life are so relatable.
The Mandela Effect: How Collective False Memories Occur
When masses of people share false memory that didn't actually occur, it's called the Mandela Effect. Learn more about this heavily debated topic.
These American Facts Are The Strangest I've Ever Heard
We all know the saying "truth is stranger than fiction", and judging from these 15 strange facts, it can certainly be applied to the USA, too!
9 Times the Future Was Predicted With Surprising Accuracy!
These 9 historical events were predicted with extreme accuracy, and here is who managed to forecast them...
10 Popular Foods That Were Discovered in Unusual Ways
This article takes a look at the unexpected origins of some famous food products.
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
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