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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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Is It 'Hanger' or 'Hangar'?

 

How to remember which is which

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Lay vs. Lie

 

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.

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How to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect'

 

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

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Sneaked vs. Snuck

 

How the irregular 'snuck' sneaked into the dictionary

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The Serial Comma Explained

 

Why don't they call it the Merriam-Webster comma?

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Its vs. It's

 

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