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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 to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect'

 

A simple way to keep them apart. (Most of the time.)

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Sneaked vs. Snuck

 

How the irregular 'snuck' sneaked into the dictionary

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How Do You Pronounce 'Groceries'?

 

Is there one standard way?

play video affect vs effect
Affect vs. Effect

 

Here's the lowdown on what may be the most confusing pair of words in the English language.

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How a Ghost Word Appeared in the Dictionary

 

An imaginary word that snuck into the dictionary

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

 

The awkward case of 'his or her'