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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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The True Story of the Backward Index

 

These people needed a computer

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Sneaked vs. Snuck

 

How the irregular 'snuck' sneaked into the dictionary

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How a Ghost Word Appeared in the Dictionary

 

An imaginary word that snuck into the dictionary

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The awkward case of 'his or her'

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And how did it get that name?

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How to 'amuse-bouche' without begging pardon for your French