Today in History: On Oct. 14, 1066

[CharlesHarris]

Normans under William the Conqueror defeated the English at the Battle of Hastings.

(This is how the English language received such an infusion of French words. Among them is the use of what were originally French words for meat on the table – such as pork – while animals in the field retained the Anglo-Saxon names – pig or swine.)

[harrypalmer]

[Mortblanc]

What is really amazing is how few words in our language are derived from the native language before all the invasions, Celtic, Roman, Angle/Saxon/Jute, Viking, Norman.

[harrypalmer]

"What is really amazing is how few words in our language are derived from the native language before all the invasions" but they are MB, they are. The UK has in effect been 'multi cultural' for many centuries and this is shown in how the English language evolved and continues to change