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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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Sneaked vs. Snuck

 

How the irregular 'snuck' sneaked into the dictionary

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Further vs. Farther

 

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

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Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

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How to Read a French Menu

 

How to 'amuse-bouche' without begging pardon for your French

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How to Use a Dictionary

 

The best way to find information in the dictionary

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Healthy vs. Healthful

 

Why both words are equally good for you.

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Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
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The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
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Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
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