TED Talks
Rediscovering Wonder with Technology
David Kwong is a magician and a New York Times crossword puzzle constructor who believes that magic tricks are like puzzles, designed to intrigue and challenge our minds. To him, the essence of wonder lies in experiences that defy...
MinuteEarth
This Is Not A Bug
It’s common to call creepy crawlies bugs, but because entomologists refer to a specific class of insects as bugs, it’s wrong to call other things bugs - right?
SciShow
Let me consult the codex. | Tangents Clip #shorts #SciShow #SciShowTangents
Let me consult the codex. | Tangents Clip #shorts #SciShow #SciShowTangents
Curated Video
Romeo and Juliet 4.4 Word Nerd: "curfew"
This video explores the historical context and evolution of the term "curfew." The discussion details how medieval towns implemented curfews to prevent fires by requiring all domestic cooking fires to be extinguished by a certain time,...
Curated Video
Romeo and Juliet 4.1 Word Nerd: cope
This video explores the etymology of the word "cope" and its relevance to Juliet's situation in Act 4 of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." It also touches on the symbolic meaning of donning death's cape, illustrating Juliet's readiness...
Curated Video
The Taming of the Shrew 1.1 Word Nerd: “shrew”
This video explains the origin and evolution of the term "shrew" from its association with a small, venomous animal to a term used to describe an ill-tempered woman, particularly in Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew." It also...
Curated Video
The Most Extreme Place Names
Where do place names come from? Well, toponymy reveals a lot about the culture and history of a place, including the people who lived there, the nature of the settlements, and the geographic landscape. So that’s your short answer. For...
Curated Video
The Unexpected Origins of the Word ‘Monster’
Words don't pop up fully formed... they evolve over thousands of years. What can we learn about our relationship to monsters by tracking the word down into the distant past?
Curated Video
How the Colors Got Their Names
In some ways, colors are the ultimate example of language's power. The earliest humans didn't have words for colors. They had words for objects and actions, and it took tens of thousands of years for those words to evolve into the names...
Curated Video
Where Alcoholic Drinks Got Their Names
There are no shortage of wacky names for alcoholic beverages, from Fuzzy Navels, to Sex on the Beaches, to the NSFW AMF. Humans have been enjoying alcoholic beverages since the dawn of civilization so there's plenty of linguistic...
Curated Video
The Taming of the Shrew Introduction 2 Word Nerd: “trap”
This video explores the dual meanings of the word "trap" during Shakespeare's era, highlighting its usage in "The Taming of the Shrew." The explanation provides insight into how language evolves and how specific terms can enrich our...
Curated Video
Romeo and Juliet 3.2 Word Nerd: matron
This video discusses the term "matron," meaning a married woman. They highlight how Shakespeare creatively extends this meaning to depict the night as a matron, symbolically dressed in black to teach Juliet how to "lose the winning...
Curated Video
Romeo and Juliet 3.2 Word Nerd: "maidenhood"
This video explores the concept of "maidenhood" as discussed in Shakespeare's work. It delves into the historical and etymological origins of the term "maid," highlighting its association with young, unmarried women and its evolution in...
Curated Video
Romeo and Juliet 3.1 Word Nerd: "addle"
This video explores the historical evolution of the term "addle." It details the linguistic journey from ancient Greek and Roman misinterpretations to its adoption into the English language, symbolizing a lack of clarity or utility. The...
Curated Video
Romeo and Juliet 2.1 Word Nerd: Conjure
This video provides a detailed examination of the etymology and historical significance of the word "conjure," as used in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." The explanation traces the evolution of the term from its Latin roots to its...
Curated Video
Macbeth 5.3 Word Nerd: Epicures
This video delves into the etymology and contextual usage of the word "epicures" in Shakespeare's "Macbeth." The analysis focuses on how Shakespeare employs the term to characterize the English forces allied with Malcolm. Viewers will...
Curated Video
Macbeth 5.1 Word Nerd: Watch
This video delves into the etymology of the word "watch," tracing it back to the same Germanic root as "wake." It discusses how, in Shakespeare's works, "watching" referred to being vigilantly awake, as when the doctor observes Lady...
Curated Video
Macbeth 5.1 Word Nerd: Perfume
This video explores the etymology of the word "perfume," originating from the Latin "per fumum," which means "through smoke." The video also touches on Shakespeare's ironic use of the word in "Macbeth," where Lady Macbeth uses perfumes...
Curated Video
Macbeth 5.1 Word Nerd: Mate
This video explains the origins and meanings of the word "mate," which traces back to the Latin word "mactare," meaning to kill. Additionally, the segment links to Shakespeare's clever wordplay, highlighting how "mate" relates to Lady...
Curated Video
Macbeth 2.3 Word Nerd: Confusion
This video explores the etymology of the word "confusion," particularly in its usage in Act 2, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's "Macbeth." The analysis delves into the historical and linguistic origins of the term, highlighting how its meaning...
Curated Video
Macbeth 1.2 Word Nerd: Quarry
This video delves into the evolution of the word "quarry" from its origins in Old French to its various meanings in English. The discussion explains Shakespeare's usage of the term in "Macbeth," where it metaphorically conveys both the...
Curated Video
Julius Caesar 4.1 Word Nerd: Proscription
This video segment delves into the historical and linguistic origins of the word "proscription," tracing it back to ancient Rome where it signified a public announcement or decree. This analysis aids students in understanding the depth...
Curated Video
Julius Caesar 3.1 Word Nerd: Rank
This video delves into the origins and meanings of the word "rank" within the context of Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar." This exploration aids in understanding Shakespeare's nuanced language and its impact on character dynamics and plot...
Curated Video
Julius Caesar 3.1 Word Nerd: Doomsday
This video explores the linguistic origins and cultural implications of the term "doom" and its association with "Doomsday," as used in Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar." It explains how the concept of Doomsday, or Judgment Day, from the...