Palindrome - Word of the Week
What's a palindrome, you ask? Before you start worrying about our friend Bob, here is a definition of palindromes:
Noun: a word, phrase, or sequence that reads the same backwards as forwards.
Examples: mom, dad, kayak
The word originates in the early 17th century, and comes from the Greek word palindromos, which means 'running back again'.
Some of us use palindromes every day and we don’t even realize it. (lol, wow, huh)
Here are a few more examples of palindromes:
Words:
- Pop
- Race car
- Radar
- Rotator
- Rope
- Madam
- Civic
- Noon
- Refer
But wait! One of the words in the list above is not a palindrome. Can you spot it? (Click here if you give up!)
Phrases:
All these phrases read exactly the same backwards as forwards (if you remove the punctuation).
- Evil olive!
- A nut for a jar of tuna.
- Race fast, safe car!
- Rise to vote sir.
- Too bad I hid a boot.
- Was it a car or a cat I saw?
Palindrome names:
- Anna
- Hannah
- Otto
- Bob
- Habibah
- Arora
- Eve
Palindrome cities:
- Kanakanak (Alaska, USA)
- Kinikinik (Colorado, USA)
- Wassamassaw (South Carolina, USA)
- Capac (Michigan, USA)
- Lon Nol (Vietnam)
- Navan (Ireland)
- Tumut (Australia)
Fear of palindromes:
Palindromes may seem fun to most of us, but there are people who are actually afraid of them.
The fear of palindromes is called Aibohphobia, which is a palindrome itself. Isn’t that ironic?
Example:
Guy: Doctor, what is my diagnosis?
Doctor: You suffer from…AIBOHPHOBIA!
Guy: AAAAAAAAAAAH! *Runs and hides behind sofa*
What is your favorite palindrome? Can you think of other palindromes than those listed above? We would love to see them in the comment section below!