![When does a house become a mansion? Giving someone house. - podcast episode cover](https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/081bc298-473c-4b7f-b2bc-051ce9d53f7f/cc459784-742f-4977-9566-e36e1d7c8a49/3000x3000/941-3.jpg?aid=rss_feed)
Episode description
957. We trace the linguistic history behind "house" and "mansion" to uncover how these two humble words for dwellings grew apart, with "mansion" gaining airs — all because of the Norman invasion. Plus, we look at why someone might ask if a potential suitor "gave you any house."
The "house" versus "mansion" segment was written by Valerie Fridland, a professor of linguistics at the University of Nevada in Reno and the author of "Like Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English." You can find her at valeriefridland.com.
| Transcript: https://grammar-girl.simplecast.com/episodes/house-mansion/transcript
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