Something You Should Know cover image

Why English is Such a Weird Language & How Passive People Can Assert Themselves

Something You Should Know

00:00

Why Don't We Order Big Drinks?

Big was a word we got long, long ago from the oldest, oldest layer of english. It has the sense of large size, but it also had the sense of power. So you would be big in battle meant you were forceful and powerful in battle. And so that's why we order a large drink and not a big, powerful one. Why do we say what the hell? Well, when you see english and you say,What the hell? What is going on here? Then you start to think about that phrase. That's a very strange syntax. We don't say the hell. Where does that the come from? And my theory as to why some people have replaced the

Play episode from 05:52
Transcript

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app