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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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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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Webster's Dictionary of 1864

 

The landmark edition that transformed the way dictionaries are made.

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How to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect'

 

A simple way to keep them apart. (Most of the time.)

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Words of the Year: 1066

 

English was never the same after the Norman Conquest

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Fun, Funner, Funnest

 

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

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Affect vs. Effect

 

Here's the lowdown on what may be the most confusing pair of words in the English language.