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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 video hopefully
Hopefully

 

We believe the popular usage of this word is correct

play video its vs its
Its vs. It's

 

Some practical guidance, and interesting history, about a common mistake.

play hanger-hangar-illustrations
Is It 'Hanger' or 'Hangar'?

 

How to remember which is which

play serenity carr next to an illustration of a refrigerator with the letter d in it
Why is there a 'd' in 'fridge' but not in 'refrigerator'?

 

Thawing one of the mysteries of English

play video his or her
Is singular 'they' a better choice?

 

The awkward case of 'his or her'

play backward index mystery
The True Story of the Backward Index

 

These people needed a computer