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

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Thawing one of the mysteries of English

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The Schwa

 

The most common vowel sound in English causes many spelling problems.

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What Is 'Semantic Bleaching'?

 

How 'literally' can mean "figuratively"

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Some Odd Words with ISMO: "People Tipping"

 

Comedian ISMO on the complexities of the word 'tip'

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Who vs. Whom

 

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