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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.

play video schwa
The Schwa

 

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

play fun funner funnest
Fun, Funner, Funnest

 

Why does it sound strange to say 'funner' or 'funnest?'

play person studying illustration
'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'?

 

We're intent on clearing it up

play merriam-webster eggcorns title page
What Is an Eggcorn?

 

And how did it get that name?

play video his or her
Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

 

The awkward case of 'his or her'

play serial comma
The Serial Comma Explained

 

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

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