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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.

play video his or her
Is singular 'they' a better choice?

 

The awkward case of 'his or her'

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How Do You Pronounce 'Vase'?

 

And is one way more correct than the others?

play calendar that says day today
Is It 'day today' or 'day-to-day'?

 

What about Day Tomorrow?

play there theyre their video
There, They're, Their

 

There, there. We'll sort it out.

play hot mess
Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

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.)