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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play backward index mystery
The True Story of the Backward Index

 

These people needed a computer

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How a Ghost Word Appeared in the Dictionary

 

An imaginary word that snuck into the dictionary

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What Is 'Semantic Bleaching'?

 

How 'literally' can mean "figuratively"

play ismo merriam webster trunk boot
Some Odd Words with ISMO: "Junk in the Trunk"

 

Comedian ISMO on what separates a boot from a trunk

play further vs farther video
Further vs. Farther

 

They started as same word, but their meanings have drifted apart over time.

play is none singular or plural video
Is 'none' singular or plural?

 

Or both? Or neither?