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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How Do You Pronounce 'Vase'?

 

And is one way more correct than the others?

play video its vs its
Its vs. It's

 

Some practical guidance, and interesting history, about a common mistake.

play video who vs whom
Who vs. Whom

 

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

play contractions
On Contractions of Multiple Words

 

You all would not have guessed some of these

play serial comma
The Serial Comma Explained

 

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

play ismo merriam webster tip
Some Odd Words with ISMO: "People Tipping"

 

Comedian ISMO on the complexities of the word 'tip'