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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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How a Word Gets into the Dictionary

 

What our editors are looking for when they enter words in Merriam-Webster.

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Sneaked vs. Snuck

 

How the irregular 'snuck' sneaked into the dictionary

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On Contractions of Multiple Words

 

You all would not have guessed some of these

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Literally

 

A word that (literally) drives people nuts

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'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'?

 

We're gonna stop you right there

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'Everyday' vs. 'Every Day'

 

A simple trick to keep them separate