How English Borrowed Words from Around the World
English is a true melting pot of languages. Explore a fascinating map that reveals the global origins of common English words, from “bikini” to “moose.”
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Languages
Etymological Map of America
America’s rich tapestry of stories is woven into the fabric of its landscape, with many tales embedded in the place names of the cities and states. Understanding the meanings behind these names offers insights into the development of the land, its history, and its culture over the centuries. Not only does this deepen our appreciation of our surroundings, but it also enriches our vocabulary and occasionally aids in solving crossword puzzles, a sentiment strongly endorsed by WordTips.
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The Most Spoken Languages in American States and Cities (Besides English and Spanish)
With 14.4% of its population born in other countries, the U.S. has by far the world’s largest immigrant population, per UN figures. For centuries, America has been a diverse melting pot of global cultures, but which of its states are hotspots for major international languages?
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Mapping the World’s Language Families
Dive into the world map of language families and uncover the stories behind Indo-European, Sino-Tibetan, Afro-Asiatic, and more. Learn about the diversity, history, and trends of these linguistic groups.
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The Most Popular Textspeak Abbreviations in the United States
LOL is America’s favorite initialism, emerging in 1,411 out of every 100k tweets. Twitter users in Georgia use initialisms in 5,942 tweets out of every 100k – more than any other state. Only 2,125 tweets per 100k from Idaho contain textspeak abbreviations – the lowest rate in the U.S.
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Gasoline or Petrol or Essence or Benzene?
In various countries around the world, the terminology for the fuel commonly used in internal combustion engines varies based on their native languages. The most common terms are “gasoline,” “petrol,” “essence,” and “benzene.”
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Different Counting Systems Mapped
Numeral systems are collections of symbols used to represent small numbers together with systems of methods for producing larger numbers.
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Current Semitic Languages in the World Mapped
Semitic languages represent a significant and historically rich language family with deep roots in the Middle East and beyond. The Semitic language family includes a diverse group of languages, some of which are spoken by millions of people worldwide. While the Semitic family is often associated with the Middle East, its influence has extended far beyond this region.
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Every U.S. State’s Favorite Swear Word
Whether you find swear words vulgar and coarse or use them casually in communication, profanity is becoming more frequent and acceptable in our society. We may use them in anger or casually in our everyday vocabulary, cuss words are becoming more of a fixture in our lives. Business Insider report found that the average American now uses 80-90 curse words daily – which works out at around five an hour. But where in the U.S. can you find people who swear more than anywhere else?
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Distribution of Germanic Languages Mapped
Germanic languages are a branch of the Indo-European language family. These languages are historically and linguistically related, sharing a common ancestral Proto-Germanic language. Over time, this ancestral language evolved into various distinct languages (English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Norwegia).
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