Language Facts

Here are 50 Interesting Facts About the English Language:

1. Set has over 200 different meanings in English.
2. Queue is the only word with four consecutive vowels.
3. Go is the most used verb with over 1,000 uses.
4. English has no official language at the federal level.
5. The shortest complete sentence is I am.
6. Rhythm is the longest English word without a vowel.
7. Bookkeeper is the only word with three consecutive double letters.
8. English has more words than any other language.
9. The most common letter in English is E.
10. The least common letter is Q.
11. A pangram is a sentence using every letter of the alphabet.
12. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog is a pangram.
13. Shakespeare invented over 1,700 words.
14. The dot over an i is called a tittle.
15. Dreamt is the only word ending in mt.
16. Typewriter is the longest word using one row of a keyboard.
17. The first dictionary was published in 1755.
18. A new word is added to Oxford dictionary every 2 hours.
19. English is the most widely learned second language.
20. Flabbergasted means surprised.
21. The word goodbye came from God be with you.
22. GIF can be pronounced both ways and both are acceptable.
23. Syllable has three pronounced but only two written.
24. The word Alphabet comes from Greek.
25. Facetious contains all five vowels in order.
26. Honorificabilitudinitatibus is Shakespeares longest word.
27. New York City has an accent unique to the world.
28. The English language is constantly evolving.
29. Karaoke means empty orchestra in Japanese.
30. OK is the most recognized word in the world.
31. The oldest word in English is I.
32. English has 26 letters but 44 sounds.
33. Half the words in English come from French.
34. No is the most frequently spoken word worldwide.
35. The word nice originally meant foolish.
36. Dord is a word that never existed.
37. Whales sing in dialects specific to their region.
38. Baby sharks are called pups.
39. E is the most common letter in English words.
40. Lollipop is from lolly (tongue) and pop (to strike).
41. The word quiz was invented to mock people.
42. Awful originally meant inspiring awe.
43. Over 1 billion people speak English.
44. Sesquipedalian means long-winded.
45. English has more synonyms than any other language.
46. Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo is a grammatically correct sentence.
47. Redivider is the longest English word with all unique letters.