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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 ending a sentence with a preposition
Ending a Sentence with a Preposition

 

An old-fashioned rule we can no longer put up with.

play serial comma
The Serial Comma Explained

 

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

play body parts video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

 

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

play emily brewster and one and the same text graphic
'One in the same' or 'One and the same'?

 

Is it all the same anyway?

play further vs farther video
Further vs. Farther

 

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

play video his or her
Is singular 'they' a better choice?

 

The awkward case of 'his or her'

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