Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Mysteries of vernacular: Tuxedo - Jessica Oreck

How did tuxedo’s roots extend from Native American history to black tie evening wear? Jessica Oreck reveals what the Delaware Indians and formal fashion have in common.

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/mysteries-of-vernacular-tuxedo-jessica-oreck

Lesson by Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel, animation by Jessica Oreck.

via TED Education.


Source: ed.ted.com

Monday, May 20, 2013

Words of the World - Auteur

How did the French word for ‘author’ became synonymous with film making and directing?

Renaud Olivier from the University of Nottingham explains.

This video was filmed and edited by Sean Riley.

Words of the World is a project by Brady Haran - website at http://www.wordsoftheworld.co.uk

via Words of the World.


Source: youtube.com

Friday, May 17, 2013

Words of the World- Machismo

Is Machismo a negative or positive word?
Discussed by Mark Millington, a Professor of Latin American Studies from the University of Nottingham.

This video was filmed and edited by Sean Riley.

Words of the World is a project by Brady Haran - website at http://www.wordsoftheworld.co.uk/

via Words of the World.


Source: youtube.com

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Descriptivism vs Prescriptivism

via kamaraq:

Did you know that every time you say “I don’t believe in descriptivism”, a linguist drops down dead?

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Words of the World - Baroque

Baroque is often used in a derogatory fashion - but it wasn’t always that way.

Rui Miranda is from the University of Nottingham.

This video was filmed and edited by Sean Riley.

Words of the World is a project by Brady Haran - website at http://www.wordsoftheworld.co.uk/

via Words of the World.


Source: youtube.com

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Words of the World - Transmedia

Transmedia and changing ways of communication - is it a new or has it been around for hundreds of years?

Discussed by Liz Evans from the University of Nottingham.

This video was filmed and edited by Sean Riley.

Words of the World is a project by Brady Haran - website at http://www.wordsoftheworld.co.uk/

via Words of the World.


Source: youtube.com

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Do you know someone who doesn’t laugh ?

Hello my dear students! Today’s word is “agelast.” So, you may think this word comes from “age” and “last.” Not so fast! No, no, this word is unpredictable. It teases you, leads you on, then takes you in a different direction! So let’s take our time with this word and get it right.
“Agelast” has Greek origins. The first part, “a,” means “not.” The second part, “gelast” has to do with laughter. So together, they mean someone who doesn’t laugh.
The word was first used by a French gentleman named François Rabelais, who used it to critique the Catholic Church. In today’s society, who do you think deserves the title? The botoxed Housewives of Beverly Hills? Your neighbors or boss?
Lots of love,
Marina Orlova

via Hot for Words.
http://google.com/+hotforwords
http://www.facebook.com/hotforwords
https://twitter.com/#!/hotforwords
https://Instagram.com/hot4words

Source: youtube.com

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Words of the World - Marmalade

Discussing the origins of the word marmalade. How did a Portuguese quince paste served for desert end up as a citrus based breakfast jam?

Featuring Mark Sabine from the University of Nottingham.

This video was filmed and edited by Sean Riley.

Words of the World is a project by Brady Haran - website at http://www.wordsoftheworld.co.uk/

via Words of the World.


Source: youtube.com

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Words of the World - Latino

The word Latino, a term used to bind together a diverse range of people of varying heritage. Discussed by Stephanie Lewthwaite from the University of Nottingham.

This video was filmed and edited by Sean Riley.

Words of the World is a project by Brady Haran - website at http://www.wordsoftheworld.co.uk/

by Words of the World.


Source: youtube.com

Monday, March 25, 2013

What is verbal irony? - Christopher Warner

At face value, the lines between verbal irony, sarcasm, and compliments can be blurry. After all, the phrase ‘That looks nice’ could be all three depending on the circumstances. In the final of a three part series on irony, Christopher Warner gets into the irony you may use most often and most casually: verbal irony.

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-is-verbal-irony-christopher-warner
Lesson by Christopher Warner, animation by Ben Pearce.

by TED Education.

Source: ed.ted.com

Word of the day - Autotonsorialist

Hello my dear students! Have you ever felt the need to trim your own bangs or tidy up your lovely layers before a date? If so, I have news for you—you’re an autotonsorialist! An auto what?!

“Auto” has Greek origins and means “self,” and “tonsorial” has Latin origins dating back to the 1650s. It comes from the word “tonsus,” which means “to shear or shave.” “ist” means someone who does or practices something, so put them together and you have someone who cuts their own hair!

While I’d never dream of being unfaithful to my dear stylist, I might be open to some more “autonomous” activities, ahem, down south. No, I didn’t mean that! All I’m saying is that a little grooming goes a long way, ladies!

by Hot For Words.

Source: youtube.com

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Words of the World - Border

Borders are often arbitrary lines on a map. Discussed by Gillian Roberts, from the University of Nottingham.

This video was filmed and edited by Sean Riley.

Words of the World is a project by Brady Haran - website at http://www.wordsoftheworld.co.uk/

by Words of the World.

Source: youtube.com

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Words of the World - Utopia

Utopia is an “imagined perfect place” and the word was invented by Sir Thomas More. Discussed by Matthew Pethers from the University of Nottingham.

by Words of the World.
This video was filmed and edited by Sean Riley.
Words of the World is a project by Brady Haran
website at http://www.wordsoftheworld.co.uk

Source: youtube.com

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Words of the World - Slavery

27 million people live in slavery today. This video features Zoe Trodd, a Professor of American Literature at the University of Nottingham.

This video was filmed and edited by Sean Riley.

Words of the World is a project by Brady Haran - website at http://www.wordsoftheworld.co.uk/

by Words of the World.


Source: youtube.com

Thursday, January 24, 2013

How the Turkey Got it’s Name!

Did you know that the turkey was in fact named after the country turkey. In turkey though, the name refers to India. In India it refers to Peru. In Arabic, it’s Greek Chicken. In French, it’s Indian Chicken. So how did the turkey get it’s name? In this short video, we look at not only the name, but also what Benjamin Franklin had to say about the bird, and the basics of turkey behavior.

by Untamed Science.

Source: untamedscience.com