Curated Video
A Midsummer Night's Dream 2.1.84 Word Nerd: Purple Grain
Before the advent of modern chemistry in the 19th century, one of the most unusual natural coloring agents was a red dye made by grinding up the bodies of insects living on cacti in Central America. This dye was known as "purple in...
Curated Video
A Midsummer Night's Dream 2.1.245 Word Nerd: Nymph
Tthe word nymph derives from the latin verb "nubrey," to mary in ancient latin. The word, "nymph" referred to a woman who was ready to marry because she had reached sexual maturity. In medieval English, however, nymph was used to refer...
Curated Video
A Midsummer Night's Dream 2.1.195 Word Nerd: Adamant
The word "adamant" originates from the Latin word "aramas," meaning a hard stone, and has evolved to denote anything unbreakable. In Shakespeare's era, "adamant" specifically referred to a lodestone or naturally occurring magnet,...
Curated Video
A Midsummer Night's Dream 2.1.158 Word Nerd: Vestal
The term "vestal" originates from Vesta, an ancient Roman goddess, and was initially associated with the Vestal Virgins who served her temple in Rome, pledging thirty years of chastity. By Shakespeare's time, "vestal" had broadened to...
Curated Video
A Midsummer Night's Dream 1.2: The Mechanicals
Explore the many ways Shakespeare creatively names his characters to reflect their respective trades. For example, "Quince the carpenter" refers to a carpentry tool, while "Snug the joiner" is a cabinet maker.
Curated Video
A Midsummer Night's Dream 1.1.71 Word Nerd: Mew
The word "mew" originates from the Latin word "mutate," which means to change, and is the root of the English word "mutate." However, "mew" is specifically used to describe the molting process of a bird. This term has been extended...
Curated Video
A Midsummer Night's Dream 1.1.19 Word Nerd: Triumph
The term "triumph" originally comes from the Latin "triumpus," signifying the highest honor bestowed by the Roman Empire for a significant military victory. By Shakespeare's era, "triumph" had evolved to denote any public celebration, as...
Curated Video
A Midsummer Night's Dream 1.1.033 Word Nerd: Gaud
This video explores the etymology and historical context of the use of the word "gaud," relating it to a Latin word "gaudere," meaning to rejoice, and its association with a special kind of bead on a Catholic Rosary. It also touches on...
Curated Video
What makes some languages sound BEAUTIFUL?
Is Italian delightful and German disgusting? Is Mandarin a melodic mess? In this episode, Rob meets the linguists who've tried to work out which are the world's prettiest and ugliest languages. The results are sure to surprise you.
PBS
Why Does "Straight" Mean Heterosexual?
When did we start defining sexual orientation and how did that result in "straight" becoming a synonym for "heterosexual"? Today Danielle follows the winding history of the word through medical terms, lavender linguistics, and community...
PBS
Why are Patriotic Songs All the Same? (W/ 12tone & TheLingSpace!)
Why do so many anthems and patriotic songs from across the globe sound the same? Today Danielle joins forces with Cory from 12tone and Moti from The Ling Space to find out what makes a tune suitable for patriotic songs and how those...
PBS
Why Do We Have Middle Names?
We understand why we have first names and how our surnames tie us to our family heritage, but what's the deal with middle names? What's the purpose of a middle name and when did different cultures start using them?
PBS
Why Do We Say "Latino"?
The first thing to pop into your mind when you hear "Latino" is probably people from Latin America - places like Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, etc. But where exactly did the history of that word come from, and has it always meant Central...
Curated Video
Egg Corns: Uncovering Linguistic Mishearings and Language Evolution
This video explores the linguistic phenomenon of egg corns, which are misheard versions of terms that have become popularized. The term "eggcorn" was coined by linguists to describe these quirky mishearings, which often make their own...
Curated Video
Chomsky From a Non-Chomskyan
David Bellos, Director of the Program in Translation and Intercultural Communication at Princeton University, a "non-Chomskyan", pays allegiance to Noam Chomsky’s profound contributions to linguistics.
Vlogbrothers
On Prepositions
Or possibly IN prepositions. In which John discusses the maddening prepositions of English, and what they say and don't about where and how we live.
Vlogbrothers
Let's Talk About Stress!
In which Hank discusses loanword adaptation for two minutes in order to distract himself from the crushing reality of all of what he must do. One thing that I did not say in this video...that's just for you dear dedicated dooblydoo...
Curated Video
Lost Letters of the English Alphabet: A Journey Through Forgotten Characters
In this video, the teacher discusses nine letters that have been lost from the English alphabet over time. The video provides interesting insights into the history of the English language and invites viewers to share their thoughts on...
Curated Video
The History of Silent Letters
In this video, the speaker explores the presence of silent letters in English words, specifically focusing on the silent K and H. The historical origins of these silent letters are explained, tracing back to Old English pronunciation.
Curated Video
The Evolution of Gender in the English Language
In this video, the speaker discusses the concept of gender in language and how it applies to English. The video provides interesting insights into the evolution of language and the influence of external factors on linguistic development.
Curated Video
The Mysterious G: Exploring the Origins and Silent Presence in Words
In this video, the teacher explores the presence of the letter "G" in certain words, discussing its origins and purpose.
Curated Video
English Plurals: Exploring the Confusion and Origins
In this video, the teacher explains the various reasons behind the unusual plurals in the English language. They discuss the historical origins of plurals, such as old English practices and borrowing from Latin and Greek. The video also...
Curated Video
Exploring the Weird and Wonderful World of Collective Nouns
In this video, the speaker explores the fascinating world of collective nouns in the English language. From animals to people, he delves into the origins and usage of these unique and sometimes bizarre terms. Discover the history behind...
Curated Video
The Irritating Truth About Silent Letters in English
In this video, the teacher explains the origins of silent letters in English words such as doubt, receipt, debt, plumber, aisle, and isle. This informative video sheds light on the fascinating history behind these silent letters and how...