Words we use and where they come from

Kieran McGovern in The English Language: FAQ

Jun 12

What is a humble brag?

Boasting for beginners

Kieran McGovern in The English Language: FAQ

Jun 10

Origin of the word alphabet

The first two letters of the Greek alphabet: alpha and beta.

Kieran McGovern in The English Language: FAQ

May 4

Why ‘Dutch Courage’?

Dutch not generally a flatting adjective in English

Kieran McGovern in The English Language: FAQ

Apr 19

How Japanese words entered English

A story of mutual fascination and suspicion

Kieran McGovern in The English Language: FAQ

Apr 14

Origin of the word robot?

A dystopian play from 1920 provides one of the key words of the modern world.

Kieran McGovern in The English Language: FAQ

Jan 26

Is English the easiest language?

Has evolution streamlined the ‘global language’?

1 response

Kieran McGovern in The English Language: FAQ

Dec 4, 2023

About Advent

‘Arrival of a notable person or thing’ Oxford English Dictionary.

Kieran McGovern in The English Language: FAQ

Oct 6, 2023

How Latin has influenced the English language

Key words and false rules

Kieran McGovern in The English Language: FAQ

Sep 8, 2023

Longest word in English?

Poppins trumps dubious pneumonic disease

Kieran McGovern in The English Language: FAQ

Sep 5, 2023

How many new words are there in Shakespeare?

A one-man vocabulary factory

About

The English Language: FAQ

Stories about the words we use. Why does English have the biggest vocabulary? Who decides ‘correct usage’? What is an irregular verb? Why are so few used so often? How many words and phrases come from Latin? Shakespeare? French? Dickens? The Bible? What is ‘Globish’?

More information

Followers

Elsewhere