Word Change Follows Political Patterns
Word
changes following the Battle of Hastings followed political patterns.
Words having to do with the peasantry remained in Anglo-Saxon.
Words having to do with the aristocracy became French.
Compare: cow (Old English kú), steer (Old English stéor), beef (Old French boef).
pig (probably Old English picga), pork (Old French porc)
sheep (Old English scéap), mutton (Old French mutun)
house (Old Frisian/Dutch hûs), mansion (Old French mansion)
Modern American English is full of words reflecting culture contact:
Hindi/Urdu: bandanna, cot, dingy, loot, punch (a drink), shampoo.
Various African languages: banana, bogus, cola, funk, jazz, tango, yam, zombie.