play 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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The True Story of the Backward Index

 

These people needed a computer

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

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

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The Serial Comma Explained

 

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

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Affect vs. Effect

 

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