Where the $ symbol actually comes from
Why is the $ sign an S? What does 'dollar' even mean? In this video, I answer both of those questions, while also explaining what the British pound is a…
Why French sounds so unlike other Romance languages
Sound changes left French unlike Latin, Italian, Spanish or Romanian.
Antarctica Has An Accent
Accents: Everybody has one. They usually tell us something about where a person is from, or what languages they speak. But there's one accent that is so new that nobody…
Almost no names are ‘English’
Did you know there are only a handful of truly English names? In this video, let's explore where our names really come from: from the Anglo-Saxon 'Edward' and 'Alfred' to…
99% Invisible: The Em Dash
The strange history of a punctuation mark that makes writing feel human, and why people now think it proves the opposite.
Coptic Christianity Explained
Coptic Orthodox Christianity is one of the oldest branches of Christianity, tracing its roots to first-century Egypt. This video explores its history, theology, saints, and unique traditions.
The Origins of Arabic
In this video, we explore the history and development of the Arabic language, as well as its connection to religion.
The English words nobody can explain
Some of the most ordinary words in English have origins that no one can explain. Among them: "dog", "big", "bird", "donkey", "boy", "girl" and "puzzle".
99% Invisible: What’s in a Name
Throughout Africa and beyond, Zimbabweans are known for choosing some of the most bold, head-turning English-language names. Zimbabwean producer Kim Chakanetsa tells the story of how her country's journey from…
The entire history of English in 22 minutes
In this video you'll learn about where English came from, what impact the Vikings had on our language, what the Normans did to English, why Middle English is so weird,…