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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?

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Healthy vs. Healthful

 

Why both words are equally good for you.

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Is It 'Hanger' or 'Hangar'?

 

How to remember which is which

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'Mispronunciations' That May Be Fine

 

'Mischievous,' 'nuclear,' and other words to pronounce with caution.