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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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The Schwa

 

The most common vowel sound in English causes many spelling problems.

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Why did Yankee Doodle call a feather 'macaroni'?

 

What's with his feathered cap?

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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.

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Healthy vs. Healthful

 

Why both words are equally good for you.

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A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia

 

Some imitative words are more surprising than others

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What Is an Eggcorn?

 

And how did it get that name?

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
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
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