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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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How a Ghost Word Appeared in the Dictionary

 

An imaginary word that snuck into the dictionary

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When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

 

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

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Some Odd Words with ISMO: "The One-derful Won"

 

Comedian ISMO tries to figure out 'one' and 'two'

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There, They're, Their

 

There, there. We'll sort it out.

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How to Read a French Menu

 

How to 'amuse-bouche' without begging pardon for your French

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'One in the same' or 'One and the same'?

 

Is it all the same anyway?