Seventeen Synonyms of Semordnilap

Authors

James Puder

Abstract

One finds in the published literature on palindromes and their ilk an odd disparity: whereas there is presently only one name of any significance in the language for a palindrome, there exists a bewildering plethora of names for the palindrome's sibling, the word (or words) which forms a different word (or words) when read in reverse, an item which forms a different word (or words) when read in reverse, an item hereinafter referred to generically as a half-palindrome, to select a neutral term. Even among the current majority of those who favor some form of the word REVERSAL, there is an apparent lack of consesus as to whether that word alone is sufficient, or whether some more qualified term such as WORD REVERSAL, REVERSAL PAIR, REVERSAL SENTENCE, etc., is required.

Recommended Citation

Puder, James (2000) "Seventeen Synonyms of Semordnilap," Word Ways: Vol. 33 : Iss. 1 , Article 9.
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/wordways/vol33/iss1/9