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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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Alright vs. All Right

 

Is 'alright' all right?

play illustrated notebook that says everyday vs every day
'Everyday' vs. 'Every Day'

 

A simple trick to keep them separate

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How Do You Pronounce 'Groceries'?

 

Is there one standard way?

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Pictures in the Dictionary

 

The story of those iconic illustrations.

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Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

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Literally

 

A word that (literally) drives people nuts