play backward index mystery
Words Matter

The True Story of the Backward Index

These people needed a computer


There it sits, hidden in plain view on a set of shelves in the basement of the Merriam-Webster offices: the Backward Index. But why would anyone type out 315,000 words spelled in reverse?

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play backward index mystery
The True Story of the Backward Index

 

These people needed a computer

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'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'?

 

We're gonna stop you right there

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There, They're, Their

 

There, there. We'll sort it out.

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How Do You Pronounce 'Groceries'?

 

Is there one standard way?

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Its vs. It's

 

Some practical guidance, and interesting history, about a common mistake.

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Lay vs. Lie

 

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.

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Why is there a 'd' in 'fridge' but not in 'refrigerator'?

 

Thawing one of the mysteries of English