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Word History

The History of 'Cynic'

How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.

How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.

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play video cynic
The History of 'Cynic'

 

How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.

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Affect vs. Effect

 

Here's the lowdown on what may be the most confusing pair of words in the English language.

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There, They're, Their

 

There, there. We'll sort it out.

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On Contractions of Multiple Words

 

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Lay vs. Lie

 

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.

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