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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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Who vs. Whom

 

Good news for those who feel stuffy saying 'whom.'

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On Contractions of Multiple Words

 

You all would not have guessed some of these

play emily-brewster-with-the-words-effect-affect-on-screen
How to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect'

 

A simple way to keep them apart. (Most of the time.)

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Healthy vs. Healthful

 

Why both words are equally good for you.

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Is 'None' Singular or Plural?

 

Or both? Or neither?

play video how a word gets into the dicionary
How a Word Gets into the Dictionary

 

What our editors are looking for when they enter words in Merriam-Webster.