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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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How to Use a Dictionary

 

The best way to find information in the dictionary

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We'll tell you all the perpendiculars

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An imaginary word that snuck into the dictionary

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Thawing one of the mysteries of English