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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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The Schwa

 

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

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The Serial Comma Explained

 

Why don't they call it the Merriam-Webster comma?

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When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

 

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

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Literally

 

A word that (literally) drives people nuts

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'Mispronunciations' That May Be Fine

 

'Mischievous,' 'nuclear,' and other words to pronounce with caution.