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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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Sneaked vs. Snuck

 

How the irregular 'snuck' sneaked into the dictionary

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Fun, Funner, Funnest

 

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

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What Is 'Semantic Bleaching'?

 

How 'literally' can mean "figuratively"

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

 

The awkward case of 'his or her'

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Healthy vs. Healthful

 

Why both words are equally good for you.