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

play video literally
Literally

 

A word that (literally) drives people nuts

play video cynic
The History of 'Cynic'

 

How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.

play video his or her
Is singular 'they' a better choice?

 

The awkward case of 'his or her'

play video hopefully
Hopefully

 

We believe the popular usage of this word is correct

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

 

How to remember which is which