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Pronunciation

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Long before it described cathedral arches, spooky novels, or head-to-toe black clothing, calling something "Gothic" was a major insult. Here is how Renaissance art critics turned a Germanic tribe’s name into a centuries-long slur.
Jane Alexander|
Ever wonder why we say "o'clock"? Discover the medieval origin of the phrase, how mechanical clocks changed timekeeping, and why the contraction stuck.
Nitya Rao|
The name doesn’t come from the canned meat, but a ‘Monty Python’ sketch about the canned meat.
Tim Brinkhof|
We can all thank the renowned playwright for livening up our vocabulary into the 21st century!
Paul Anthony Jones|
These common words and phrases came directly from the era of flapper fashion and short-lived prohibition.
Paul Anthony Jones|
More than a few of your favorite expressions might have originated on the high seas. From "bottoms up" to "slush fund," these terms originated among pirates and sailors.
Chris Wheatley|
Some Old English words haven't changed much over the centuries. From "cat" to "friend," here are seven modern words that are quite similar to their Old English counterparts.
Jane Alexander|
A lot of people think that the “mare” in “nightmare” refers to a horse—like the one ominously poking its head past the curtain in Swiss painter Henry Fuseli’s 1
Tim Brinkhof|