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Words Matter

Webster's Dictionary of 1864

The landmark edition that transformed the way dictionaries are made.


The landmark edition that transformed the way dictionaries are made.

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play video websters video of 1864
Webster's Dictionary of 1864

 

The landmark edition that transformed the way dictionaries are made.

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How to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect'

 

A simple way to keep them apart. (Most of the time.)

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Fun, Funner, Funnest

 

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

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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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Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

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How Do You Pronounce 'Groceries'?

 

Is there one standard way?

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How a Word Gets into the Dictionary

 

What our editors are looking for when they enter words in Merriam-Webster.