✨📕 The NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Learn More!
✨📕 The NEW Collegiate Dictionary — Learn More!
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backward index mystery
Words Matter

The True Story of the Backward Index

These people needed a computer

There it sits, hidden in plain view on a set of shelves in the basement of the Merriam-Webster offices: the Backward Index. But why would anyone type out 315,000 words spelled in reverse?

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The True Story of the Backward Index

 

These people needed a computer

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Why is there a 'd' in 'fridge' but not in 'refrigerator'?

 

Thawing one of the mysteries of English

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Further vs. Farther

 

They started as same word, but their meanings have drifted apart over time.

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Old-School Grammar

 

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

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The Serial Comma Explained

 

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

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When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

 

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

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i.e. vs. e.g.

 

Often used, often confused. Here's some guidance and insight.

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The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
serval
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