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?

Up next

play backward index mystery
The True Story of the Backward Index

 

These people needed a computer

play serial comma
The Serial Comma Explained

 

Why don't they call it the Merriam-Webster comma?

play body parts video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

 

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

play merriam-webster eggcorns title page
What Is an Eggcorn?

 

And how did it get that name?

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

 

A simple trick to keep them separate

play video old school grammar humorsome
Old-School Grammar

 

Many of today's grammar rules can be traced to the opinions of one 18th century writer.

play video between you and i or me
I vs. Me

 

'Between you and __'? Simple guidance for a tricky pronoun.