english language
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You’re Wrong About the Origins of These 12 Common Words
Whether we’re talking about “shit,” “fuck,” or “sirloin,” people love inventing amusing stories to explain the origins of common words. False etymology is fun — explaining that “fuck” derives from signs adulterers wore reading “for unlawful carnal knowledge” is way more amusing than pointing out the Indo-European root –peuk. But if you ask this pedant,…
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How to Use Compound Words Correctly (Almost) Every Time
Compound words are sprinkled throughout the English language — endless combinations of little words that partner up to form new, bigger words. How they come together in the written language can vary, though, and you may find yourself pausing to wonder: Is this a long term, long-term, or longterm problem? That’s because there are three…