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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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The True Story of the Backward Index

 

These people needed a computer

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Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

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Alright vs. All Right

 

Is 'alright' all right?

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'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'?

 

We're gonna stop you right there

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What Is 'Semantic Bleaching'?

 

How 'literally' can mean "figuratively"

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i.e. vs. e.g.

 

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

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Old-School Grammar

 

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

Games & Quizzes

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Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
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
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Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
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