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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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Some Odd Words with ISMO: "Junk in the Trunk"

 

Comedian ISMO on what separates a boot from a trunk

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Is singular 'they' a better choice?

 

The awkward case of 'his or her'

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Webster's Dictionary of 1864

 

The landmark edition that transformed the way dictionaries are made.

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Is It 'Hanger' or 'Hangar'?

 

How to remember which is which

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Is 'none' singular or plural?

 

Or both? Or neither?

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How a Ghost Word Appeared in the Dictionary

 

An imaginary word that snuck into the dictionary