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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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The Serial Comma Explained

 

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

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Is 'None' Singular or Plural?

 

Or both? Or neither?

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'Mispronunciations' That May Be Fine

 

'Mischievous,' 'nuclear,' and other words to pronounce with caution.

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Sneaked vs. Snuck

 

How the irregular 'snuck' sneaked into the dictionary

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Video: Why Is There a 'C' in 'Indict'?

 

And who put it there, anyway?