Where did the phrase ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’ come from? And when did scientists finally get round to naming sexual body parts? Voiced by Clive Anderson, this entertaining romp through 'The History of English' squeezes 1600 years of history into 10 one-minute bites, uncovering the sources of English words and phrases from Shakespeare and the King James Bible to America and the Internet. Bursting with fascinating facts, the series looks at how English grew from a small tongue into a major global language before reflecting on the future of English in the 21st century.
Anglo-Saxon
A look at what words the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings bought to the English language.
6/22/2011 • 1 minute, 8 seconds
Transcript -- Anglo-Saxon
Transcript -- A look at what words the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings bought to the English language.
6/22/2011 • 0
The Norman Conquest
In 1066, William the Conqueror invaded Britain and bought with him fancy French words to add to the English language.
6/22/2011 • 1 minute, 8 seconds
Transcript -- The Norman Conquest
Transcript -- In 1066, William the Conqueror invaded Britain and bought with him fancy French words to add to the English language.
6/22/2011 • 0
Shakespeare
This video tells us that Shakespeare invented over 2000 new words and phrases like eyeball, anchovy and puppy.
6/22/2011 • 1 minute, 6 seconds
Transcript -- Shakespeare
Transcript -- This video tells us that Shakespeare invented over 2000 new words and phrases like eyeball, anchovy and puppy.
6/22/2011 • 0
The King James Bible
Illustrating that in 1611, the new King James Bible was created and gave us many famous phrases.
6/22/2011 • 1 minute, 8 seconds
Transcript -- The King James Bible
Transcript -- Illustrating that in 1611, the new King James Bible was created and gave us many famous phrases.
6/22/2011 • 0
The English of Science
In the 17th Century, new science words were being created like acid, ovary and tonsil.
6/22/2011 • 1 minute, 9 seconds
Transcript -- The English of Science
Transcript -- In the 17th Century, new science words were being created like acid, ovary and tonsil.
6/22/2011 • 0
English and Empire
Exploring how the British Empire spread across the world bringing back many new words and phrases.
6/22/2011 • 1 minute, 11 seconds
Transcript -- English and Empire
Transcript -- Exploring how the British Empire spread across the world bringing back many new words and phrases.
6/22/2011 • 0
The Age of the Dictionary
A look at how lexicographers started creating the Dictionary of the English Language to ensure that everyone spelt words correctly and knew their correct definition.
6/22/2011 • 1 minute, 11 seconds
Transcript -- The Age of the Dictionary
Transcript -- A look at how lexicographers started creating the Dictionary of the English Language to ensure that everyone spelt words correctly and knew their correct definition.
6/22/2011 • 0
American English
Learn about American-English and how some American words were actually English to start with.
6/22/2011 • 1 minute, 9 seconds
Transcript -- American English
Transcript -- Learn about American-English and how some American words were actually English to start with.
6/22/2011 • 0
Internet English
Exploring the expansion of internet language, with abbreviations like lol and btw.
6/22/2011 • 1 minute, 9 seconds
Transcript -- Internet English
Transcript -- Exploring the expansion of internet language, with abbreviations like lol and btw.
6/22/2011 • 0
Global English
The future of English and the many hybrids that have been created. Should we still call it English?
6/22/2011 • 1 minute, 9 seconds
Transcript -- Global English
Transcript -- The future of English and the many hybrids that have been created. Should we still call it English?
