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| 'Oldest English words' identified | 'Oldest English words' identified |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Some of the oldest words in the English and other Indo-European languages have been identified, scientists believe. | Some of the oldest words in the English and other Indo-European languages have been identified, scientists believe. |
| Reading University researchers say "I", "we", "two" and "three" are among the oldest in use - "one" came along later. | Reading University researchers say "I", "we", "two" and "three" are among the oldest in use - "one" came along later. |
| Using a computer model, the team analysed the rate of change of words and say they can predict which are likely to become extinct. | Using a computer model, the team analysed the rate of change of words and say they can predict which are likely to become extinct. |
| "Squeeze", "guts", "stick" and "bad" are among those that they believe will become obsolete first. | "Squeeze", "guts", "stick" and "bad" are among those that they believe will become obsolete first. |
| The researchers' computer program catalogues how modern Indo-European words have changed through the ages, and enables students to type in any date and see which words were in at the time. | |
| It is also able to look forward and predict how words are likely to change in the future. | It is also able to look forward and predict how words are likely to change in the future. |
| Using the program, the researchers found that words that are used most commonly - or have very precise meanings - tend to be the oldest and most long-lasting. |