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 ismo merriam webster tip
Some Odd Words with ISMO: "People Tipping"

 

Comedian ISMO on the complexities of the word 'tip'

play video who vs whom
Who vs. Whom

 

Good news for those who feel stuffy saying 'whom.'

play is none singular or plural video
Is 'none' singular or plural?

 

Or both? Or neither?

play image1815466723
How Do You Pronounce 'Vase'?

 

And is one way more correct than the others?

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

 

A simple trick to keep them separate

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

 

And how did it get that name?