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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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How Do You Pronounce 'Vase'?

 

And is one way more correct than the others?

play mrs malaprop
What is a malaprop?

 

We'll tell you all the perpendiculars

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How Do You Pronounce 'Groceries'?

 

Is there one standard way?

play hot mess
Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

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.