TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Mysteries of Vernacular: Tuxedo
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. [2:04]
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Mysteries of Vernacular: Miniature
Miniature's root may be Latin, but its meaning is rooted in books, where red pigment was used to denote chapter breaks. Jessica Oreck explains how we got from there to the meaning of miniature today: something smaller than others of its...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Mysteries of Vernacular: Noise
The words noise, nausea, and naval all stem from the same Latin root. Jessica Oreck divulges how their spellings and meanings diverged from the original naus. [2:02]
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Mysteries of Vernacular: Hearse
Today, we recognize the word hearse as a vehicle that carries a coffin to a funeral. Jessica Oreck explains how this word has, at various times, described a wolf, a rake, and a frame, eventually landing at its meaning today. [2:13]
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Why Is There a "B" in Doubt?
Say the word "doubt" aloud. What is that "b" doing there? Does it have any purpose? Gina Cooke explains the long and winding history of "doubt" and why the spelling, though it seems random, is a wink to its storied past. [3:28]
Other
Take Our Word for It
A bi-weekly Webzine of word origins. Includes a Spotlight word, answers to submitted questions, a curmudgeon's corner and other areas.
Other
Word Detective
The Word Detective provides great information on the origin of certain words and phrases that are everyday lingo. Click on Index and chose from the alphabetical list or type the word you are looking for in the search box.
Other
Vocabulary Workshop
This vocabulary workshop will be helpful to anyone interested in brushing up on their skills. This site features a comprehensive look at root words, prefixes, suffixes and more.
Other
Etymological Dictionary: Influences on Astronomy
An interesting look at the meanings of many of the words in mythology that have been used in English astronomical field. This resource lists the word, etymological and mythological root or character, and modern English meaning.
Other
Online Etymology Dictionary
The site, created by an avowed amateur, Douglas Harper, shares the origins of words. Students will type a word into a text box and click a "search" button to see the etymology of the word.
Other
World Wide Words/exploring the English Language
"World Wide Words is devoted to the English language - its history, quirks, curiosities and evolution. The Words site is organized into sections, each with its own index to help you find your way about."
Other
Behind the Name
Site gives the etymology and history of first names. Have fun looking up yours! Names can be accessed alphabetically, by nationality, or through a search tool. Links to lots of other information on names and etymology.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Professional Development Tutorial: Increasing Vocabulary
This tutorial is a sample lesson plan from a Scholastic Red session on vocabulary development.
University of Manchester
Children's University of Manchester: Word Literacy: Match the Eponyms
Students read a definition of eponym, then play a two-level game where they match items to the people they are named after.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Cognates (English I Reading)
Use your knowledge of cognates from other languages to help you understand unfamiliar words.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Origins and Meanings of Foreign Words (English I Reading)
Become acquainted with the origins and meanings of foreign words and phrases frequently used in English texts.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Origins and Meanings of Foreign Words and Phrases
Become acquainted with the origins and meanings of foreign words and phrases frequently used in English texts.
Wisc-Online
Wisc Online: English Words of French Origin
In this learning activity, students read and listen to English words from the French language.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Mysteries of Vernacular: Yankee
Is it a doodle dandy? A baseball team? The origins of the word yankee are unclear, though its usage in America as a pejorative is well-documented. Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel track the varying levels of contempt that the word yankee...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Greek Vocabulary
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart lesson contains several activities. History - students understand the chronology of Greek history and can organize events and people into major categories to explain historical...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Where Do New Words Come From?
Marcel Danesi explains how new words enter a language. L.11-12.1a Gram/Usage changes
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: The Psychology of Accents
This Braincraft video, along with this lesson, are intended to get you thinking about why and how accents exist within languages.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Cognates (English Ii Reading)
In this lesson, you will focus on English and Spanish cognates. You will learn tips for identifying cognates, (words from other languages that have similar spellings, pronunciations, and meanings) and for using cognates to improve your...
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Origins & Meanings of Foreign Words & Phrases: English Ii Reading
In this lesson, you will be introduced to selective lists of words. These words can help enrich your language, deepen your understanding of what you read, and broaden your sense of the world.