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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.

play emily brewster and one and the same text graphic
'One in the same' or 'One and the same'?

 

Is it all the same anyway?

play video old school grammar humorsome
Old-School Grammar

 

Many of today's grammar rules can be traced to the opinions of one 18th century writer.

play video lay vs lie
Lay vs. Lie

 

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.

play is none singular or plural video
Is 'none' singular or plural?

 

Or both? Or neither?

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What Is an Eggcorn?

 

And how did it get that name?

play video schwa
The Schwa

 

The most common vowel sound in English causes many spelling problems.