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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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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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Literally

 

A word that (literally) drives people nuts

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Who vs. Whom

 

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

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How Do You Pronounce 'Vase'?

 

And is one way more correct than the others?

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Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

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How a Word Gets into the Dictionary

 

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