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backward index mystery
Words Matter

The True Story of the Backward Index

These people needed a computer

There it sits, hidden in plain view on a set of shelves in the basement of the Merriam-Webster offices: the Backward Index. But why would anyone type out 315,000 words spelled in reverse?

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play backward index mystery
The True Story of the Backward Index

 

These people needed a computer

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Alright vs. All Right

 

Is 'alright' all right?

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

 

And how did it get that name?

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How Do You Pronounce 'Vase'?

 

And is one way more correct than the others?

play video affect vs effect
Affect vs. Effect

 

Here's the lowdown on what may be the most confusing pair of words in the English language.

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'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'?

 

We're intent on clearing it up

play video its vs its
Its vs. It's

 

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

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Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
baobab-trees
Name That Tree! A quiz that’s all bark, no bite.
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