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?

Up next

play backward index mystery
The True Story of the Backward Index

 

These people needed a computer

play serial comma
The Serial Comma Explained

 

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

play mrs malaprop
What is a malaprop?

 

We'll tell you all the perpendiculars

play video websters video of 1864
Webster's Dictionary of 1864

 

The landmark edition that transformed the way dictionaries are made.

play video hopefully
Hopefully

 

We believe the popular usage of this word is correct

play video healthy vs healthful
Healthy vs. Healthful

 

Why both words are equally good for you.

play video its vs its
Its vs. It's

 

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