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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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Fun, Funner, Funnest

 

Why does it sound strange to say 'funner' or 'funnest?'

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Further vs. Farther

 

They started as same word, but their meanings have drifted apart over time.

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The Serial Comma Explained

 

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

play no Image
Why Do People Pronounce It "Nucular"?

 

A linguistic analysis of a notorious pronunciation