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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Some Odd Words with ISMO: "The One-derful Won"

 

Comedian ISMO tries to figure out 'one' and 'two'

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Alright vs. All Right

 

Is 'alright' all right?

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Fun, Funner, Funnest

 

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

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Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings