On this program we often talk about the origins of words and expressions that we use in American English . We also talk about how we use them in everyday conversations . Today we talk about animals--and animals we eat . In English , these two categories often have different names . Pigs turn into pork . Cows turn into beef . Sheep is mutton . Calves are veal . And deer is venison . But why do we call these animals different names when we prepare them for a meal ? Why is it “pig ” on the farm but "pork " in a sandwich ? The answer is the Norman Conquest of Britain in 1066 . That is when many French words became part of the English language . Many of those French words related to the battlefield , such as “army ” and “royal .” Many related to government and taxation . And many others related to food . When animals were in the stable or on the farm , they kept their Old English names : pig , cow , sheep and calf . Because the lower-class Anglo-Saxons were the hunters , they used the Old English names for animals . So , they used the French word to describe the prepared dishes . Today , modern English speakers — regardless of social class — have come to use both . However , the words “deer " and "venison ," however , are a bit more complicated . Etymology Online says "venison " comes from an Old French word from the 1300s (venesoun ) meaning "'meat of large game ,' especially deer or boar ." And that Old French word comes from a Latin word (venation ) meaning "a hunt , hunting , or the chase ." However , “chicken ” and “fish ” remain largely unchanged . However , sometimes we use the word "poultry " when talking about buying a chicken , turkey , or other similar bird to eat . For example , a grocery store may have a place called “the poultry section .” But we don't use "poultry " when we order chicken or turkey at a restaurant , or serve it at a meal . I would never order "poultry and waffles ." Lesser common birds , such as quail and pheasant , simply go by their own names . The French word for "fish " is "poisson ." Some word experts suspect that "poisson " is too close to the English word "poison " to become a common food word . As a result , anything that even sounds like “poison ” will probably be an unpopular choice at mealtimes . In your language , do the words for animals change when you eat them ? Thanks for joining us .