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Word History

The History of 'Cynic'

How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.

How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.

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play video cynic
The History of 'Cynic'

 

How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.

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'All over sudden' vs. 'All of a sudden'

 

Figuring it out at once

play contractions
On Contractions of Multiple Words

 

You all would not have guessed some of these

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Why did Yankee Doodle call a feather 'macaroni'?

 

What's with his feathered cap?

play hot mess
Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

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Is It 'Hanger' or 'Hangar'?

 

How to remember which is which

play video drive safe ly
Drive Safe: In Praise of Flat Adverbs

 

You don't have to end all your adverbs in -ly to talk right.

Games & Quizzes

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Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
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Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
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