play video cynic
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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I vs. Me

 

'Between you and __'? Simple guidance for a tricky pronoun.

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Some Odd Words with ISMO: "Junk in the Trunk"

 

Comedian ISMO on what separates a boot from a trunk

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How to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect'

 

A simple way to keep them apart. (Most of the time.)

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What Is an Eggcorn?

 

And how did it get that name?

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Ending a Sentence with a Preposition

 

An old-fashioned rule we can no longer put up with.

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The Serial Comma Explained

 

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