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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

play woman and dog illustration
'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'?

 

We're gonna stop you right there

play alright allright video
Alright vs. All Right

 

Is 'alright' all right?

play there theyre their video
There, They're, Their

 

There, there. We'll sort it out.

play video its vs its
Its vs. It's

 

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

play contractions
On Contractions of Multiple Words

 

You all would not have guessed some of these

play hanger-hangar-illustrations
Is It 'Hanger' or 'Hangar'?

 

How to remember which is which