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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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Sneaked vs. Snuck

 

How the irregular 'snuck' sneaked into the dictionary

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Thawing one of the mysteries of English

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'Poets laureate'? 'Court-martials'? The curious history of postpositive adjectives in English.

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Many of today's grammar rules can be traced to the opinions of one 18th century writer.

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