Ignacio Bárcena

You can learn a lot about history just by looking at the words we use. Like algorithm, which is descended from the name of a 9th century Persian polymath called al-Khwarizmi. So, from romantic to cynical, here are the strange stories behind 12 incredibly normal words...

He had a rare mixture of creative boldness, unshakeable optimism, and perceptive thinking. In Horizons he predicted the rise of the mall: a huge, climate-controlled building in which cinemas, banks, restaurants, and shops would gather under one roof. Startlingly accurate.

These strange creatures were painted nearly 500 years ago by a man called Pieter Bruegel. And, if you can believe it, he is one of the most important artists in history. Here's why...