On Composing Palindromic Poetry

Authors

Howard W. Bergerson

Abstract

Many years ago, Leigh Mercer constructed several dictionaries to aid the aspiring palindromist. In these dictionaries, he listed various words which contain interior reversals; for example, PRETTIFY contains the word FITTER. The value of such dictionaries lies in the arrangements of the words for quick and easy access; one very useful method is to arrange all the words in reverse alphabetical order, sorted out by the number of hanging letters they contain. Thus, Y FITTER P, with a single hanging letter in front, appears toward the end of one dictionary. A second dictionary lists reversed words with double hanging letters, and a third, words with multiple hanging letters.

Recommended Citation

Bergerson, Howard W. (1972) "On Composing Palindromic Poetry," Word Ways: Vol. 5 : Iss. 1 , Article 15.
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/wordways/vol5/iss1/15