play video cynic
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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Its vs. It's

 

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

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The True Story of the Backward Index

 

These people needed a computer

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Who vs. Whom

 

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

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Is It 'Attorney Generals' Or 'Attorneys General'?

 

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

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The Schwa

 

The most common vowel sound in English causes many spelling problems.

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Is It 'day today' or 'day-to-day'?

 

What about Day Tomorrow?