What is a palindrome?

A palindrome is a word, phrase, number, or other sequence of characters which reads the same backward or forward. Allowances may be made for adjustments to capital letters, punctuation, and word dividers. Famous examples include "A man, a plan, a canal, Panama!", "Amor, Roma", "race car", "taco cat", "Was it a car or a cat I saw?" and "No 'x' in Nixon". Composing literature in palindromes is an example of constrained writing. The word "palindrome" was coined by the English playwright Ben Jonson in the 17th century from the Greek roots.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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66 Comments

David McKay

I enjoy these quizzes, but don’t understand why a few participants write cruel comments to other users.

kiferleia

There are people who have no social skills because human contact is nonexistent for them as they sit at a computer all day. This causes a total loss of empathy for others resulting in a hostile, sarcastic, or just downright mean disposition. To them it is business as usual. I, for one, am thankful that when I feel negative I don't feel the need to take it out on others but I find someone to help and I realize how blessed I am and that makes me happy.

Kitty White

Able was i ere I saw elba. Madam I'm Adam. I don't want to forget tesla alset.

Ruth Shubert

David McKay, totally agree..... it's a game.... some people have too put others down in order too feel better or more intelligent!

monicaligon

David is right. We are MATURE adults, so let’s just get along and enjoy the quizzes 🙂

Cheryl Love

Several people pointed out the question is badly written. It should say “which is a palindrome”, then “all of the above” is correct. The question asks what a palindrome is, thus asking for a definition! And I agree with others: stop being mean or rude to other players. We’re all here because we enjoy it. Please be cool.

David Roy

Tesla Alset

Kevin Dale Streets

Able was I ere I saw Elba, or how Adam introduced himself to Eve: Madam, I'm Adam

Kevin Fox

Check out the “Weird Al” song “Bob.” It is brilliant.

Cabalacuchi AD

I disagree with the answer and even the narrative tells you read the same. Example: Civic

micksorahan

Spencer, that is not a palindrome I’m afraid

konrad

You may be interested to know that in Spanish palindrome only aplñplies to wors, phrases and sentences. A number that reads the same both ways is called "capicúa".For instance, 2002 was the last "capicúa" year of the century.

wordster

Ray Knutson, you mean you haven't got the Collected Works of Robert Hitzeman? you can read them backward or forward.

wordster

Kitty White, I do, and I think many of us also do.

wordster

The question was "what is a palindrome," so the answer actually should be a word or phrase that is spelled identically both backward and forward. However, knowing that, it was not terribly difficult to find the answer they wanted.

Michael O

David McKay, we don't start out cruel, but because some of the people on here, long time writers with no skills, get their feathers ruffled with brilliant new writers. Their bruised egos and jealousy make it very hard for innovative new minds who get constantly put down by these insecure men. Thus, they get vicious, too, because they were treated with disrespect and hatred.

Donna Smith

This is Cool ..I have a wide range of learning abilities to focus on

Spencer

Too obvious and poorly written.

erik hughes

Sigma II, I wish that you would fix this question. Perhaps "Which of the phrases below is a palindrome?" It's a good question, conceptually. Now, with all due respect, "as a MENSA member", you ought to know that the correct sentence construction should be "that many people treat us cruelly". I mean this as sincere constructive criticism, and I think too many people take all of this too seriously. It's called "trivia", after all! (I wish you had used my personal favorite: "Able was I ere I saw Elba", although "Taco cat" made me smile...)