logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2024
19m 21s

A brief history of English (aka when the...

Quickanddirtytips.com
About this episode
tail spinning
Up next
Oct 29
The ancient word for 'star' and the steppe nomads who spread it, with Laura Spinney
1233. This week, we talk to Laura Spinney, author of "Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global." We look at how linguists reconstruct a language no one wrote down and why the ancient word for "wheel" is still debated. Then we look at how ancient DNA pointed to nomadic herders ... Show More
44m 22s
Oct 27
4 everyday words that started out as monsters. 'Graveyard' versus 'cemetery.' Which is which?
1232. This week, we look at four ordinary words — "hippocampus," "chimera," "behemoth," and "gargantuan" — that all started as the names of monsters. Then, we look at where sailors got the phrase "graveyard watch" and at the difference between a graveyard and a cemetery.The monst ... Show More
10m 30s
Oct 22
Beowulf’s ‘you know,’ Shakespeare’s ‘prithee,’ and the myth of Valley Girl ‘like,’ with Dr. Laurel Brinton
1231. This week, Valerie Fridland steps in for Mignon and sits down with linguist Laurel Brinton to talk about little words like “well,” “you know,” and “like.” They look at why “well” signals bad news, how “Beowulf” may open with the Old English version of “you know,” and why “p ... Show More
38m 10s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2023
Short Stuff: History of English
Who spoke English first and what was it like? Nothing like it is today. Listen in to learn all about it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
12m 6s
Feb 2021
#134: A Short History of The English Language
tail spinning
19m 59s
Mar 2024
Bonus Episode 57 - Legends of England: Kings Who Shaped History
📝 Get FREE Episode Worksheet 🧐 Take English Level Test 👄 Improve Your Pronunciation Travel back to medieval England with Charlie and Ben as they explore the legacies of King Athelstan and William the Conqueror. Experience the fascinating events that shaped English history, all ... Show More
36m 43s
Jul 2023
#229 The History of English with Kevin Stroud
Kevin Stroud from the History of English Podcast joins me for a fascinating discussion and dive into... well, the history of English!In this episode, we talk about a variety of things, including:Why TH doesn't have its own letterIn what part of England the language was standardis ... Show More
45m 30s
Feb 2019
Trailer: American English Podcast
Hi! My name is Shana and I'm a native English speaker  from California. Over the past 10 years, I've been teaching American English to learners like you. On this show, I teach intermediate to advanced English through stories. You'll dive into the lives of fascinating Americans li ... Show More
2m 27s
May 2020
#58 England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland - History, Culture & Relationships
Let's explore the history and culture of the different regions of The British Isles.Show notes page - https://levelupenglish.school/podcast58Become a Level Up Member - https://levelupenglish.schoolTranscript - https://levelupenglish.school/transcripts (Members Only)Get your free ... Show More
25m 40s
Apr 2025
335. The Most Important Moment in British History? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Download ELSA for free + get 7 days premium membership for free: https://bit.ly/ELSAxTHINKINGINENGLISH Get exclusive ELSA discounts: https://elsaspeak.com/inf/promo-code-thinking-in-english/?promocode=THINK85 What was the most important moment in English history? What event had t ... Show More
23m 16s
Feb 2016
The Great Vowel Shift, or A Brief History of English
tail spinning
29m 9s
May 2023
2. Story of England: Medieval Invaders
<p>Great Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, bloodshed at the battle of Hastings, Bubonic Plague and Roland the celebrity flatulist. As dawn breaks, Dan walks the beach at Pevensey where William the Conqueror and his Norman Invaders landed in 1066, but not before getting a quick lesson from Me ... Show More
59m 51s
Feb 2024
283. Who Were the Anglo-Saxons? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Today, I want to introduce a piece of British history. We’ll look at the Anglo-Saxons and discuss the myths and reality behind this group of people. From the Roman Empire and Saxon tribes migrating from ... Show More
26m 18s