The Browser - Great Giraffe

Hispaniola's Great Divergence

Craig Palsson | Fitzwilliam | 24th July 2022

Why is Haiti the poorest country in the Western hemisphere? Comparison with Haiti's neighbour, the Dominican Republic, suggests that the causes go back to the closing of the Haitian economy to foreigners after independence in 1804, and soil exhaustion on small family farms created by land redistribution. These encouraged political instability, which deterred tourism and investment (3,020 words)

The Giraffe, A Supposedly Composite Creature

Victor Mair | Language Log | 24th July 2022

The English word "giraffe" comes from the Arabic zarāfah, meaning "fast walker", which derives in turn from the ancient Persian zurnāpā, a portmanteau of "flute" and "leg". Until the late 16th century the giraffe was known in England as the "camelopard", echoing its ancient Greek name, kamēlopárdalis, and the middle-Persian equivalent, šotorgâvpalang, or “camel-ox-leopard” (2,066 words)

Browser Bites explores a new idea each day, in under a minute. Join Uri Bram, Sebastian Park (@SebPark), and guests as they blitz through an idea in less time than it takes to brush your teeth.

Browser Bites

Browser Bites explores a new idea each day, in under a minute. Join Uri Bram (Publisher of The Browser), Sebastian Park (@SebPark), and guests as they blitz through an idea in less time than it takes to brush your teeth.

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