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video ghost words
How a Ghost Word Appeared in the Dictionary

The story of an imaginary word that managed to sneak past our editors

video title words of the year 1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Why is pig meat called 'pork' and cow meat called 'beef?' Because English took on a big serving of French words following the Norman Conquest.

serial comma
The Serial Comma Explained

No one calls it the Merriam-Webster comma. Why?

hot mess
Hot Mess

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

mrs malaprop
What is a malaprop?

Editor Peter Sokolowski will tell you all the perpendiculars

alright allright video
Alright vs. All Right

Is it all right to use both? Do they mean different things? Which one will make your English teacher smile?

backward index mystery
The True Story of the Backward Index

These people needed a computer

is none singular or plural video
Is 'none' singular or plural?

Or both? Or neither?

there theyre their video
There, They're, Their

There, there. We'll sort it out.

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

The awkward case of 'his or her'

sneaked vs snuck video
Sneaked vs. Snuck

No other common verb follows the pattern of sneak…snuck. And no one's quite sure why.

further vs farther video
Further vs. Farther

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

how to read a french menu video
How to Read a French Menu

Enjoy some vichyssoise or an amuse-bouche without begging pardon for your French.

video lay vs lie
Lay vs. Lie

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.

video title attorney generals
Is It 'Attorney Generals' Or 'Attorneys General'?

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

fun funner funnest
Fun, Funner, Funnest

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

video websters video of 1864
Webster's Dictionary of 1864

The landmark edition that transformed the way dictionaries are made.

video old school grammar humorsome
Old-School Grammar

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

video schwa
The Schwa

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

video cynic
The History of 'Cynic'

How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.

video ie vs eg
i.e. vs. e.g.

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

video its vs its
Its vs. It's

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

video healthy vs healthful
Healthy vs. Healthful

Why both words are equally good for you.

videos pictures in the dictionary
Pictures in the Dictionary

The story of those iconic illustrations.

video between you and i or me
I vs. Me

'Between you and __'? Simple guidance for a tricky pronoun.

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  • any of a genus helianthus especially h annuus of new world composite plants with large yellow rayed flower heads bearing edible seeds that yield an edible oil
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