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Facts and Fancies for the Curious

by Charles C. Bombaugh

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Palindromes

A palindrome is a word, sentence, or verse that reads the same, forward and backward, from left to right, or from right to left. The Latin language abounds with palindromes, but there are few good ones in English. The following will serve as specimens.

Madam, I’m Adam. (Adam to Eve.)
Able was I ere I saw Elba. (Napoleon loq.)
Name no one man.
Red root put up to order.
Draw pupil’s lip upward.
No, it is opposition.

The last has been extended to: “No, it is opposed; art sees trade’s opposition.” In Yreka, California, is a baker’s sign which maybe called a natural palindrome: “Yreka Bakery.”

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