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TED-Ed

Birth of a nickname - John McWhorter

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TEDEd Animation

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Where do nicknames come from? Why are Ellens called Nellie and Edwards Ned? It’s all a big misunderstanding from the early days of the English language, a misunderstanding that even the word nickname itself derives from. John McWhorter tracks the accidental evolution of some familiar diminutives.

Watch the video and finish the Think section to complete the lesson.


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Meet The Creators

Educator
John McWhorter
Animator
Lippy
Narrator
John McWhorter

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