2 chapters across the catalog
An NPR segment by Juliana Kim explores the etymology of the word "dog," which replaced "hound" as the standard term in the 16th century. Originally used as a derogatory insult in Middle English, the word eventually took on a positive connotation. Linguists suggest the word may derive from the Old English "docga" or "dugan," meaning "to be good."
An NPR report explores the historical and linguistic roots of the word "axe" as a substitute for "ask." Linguists explain that "axe" derives from the Old English verb "axion" and was used by Geoffrey Chaucer and in the Coverdale Bible. The discussion covers "code-switching," where speakers alternate between pronunciations based on social settings, and the stigma often associated with the vernacular in modern professional environments.
