March 2, 2009

Yo, banana boy! (and other palindromes)

A palindrome is a word, phrase, or sentence that reads the same backward or forward.

According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the term comes from the Greek palindromos, meaning “a recurrence” or, literally, “a running back” (palin “again, back” + dromos “a running”).

There are lots out there, but here is a small sampling:

  • a man, a plan, a canal, Panama
  • Eve
  • eye
  • Hannah
  • kayak
  • kinnikinnik (I have actually kayaked the Kinnikinnik River in Wisconsin!)
  • level
  • madam, I’m Adam
  • never odd or even
  • radar
  • rise to vote, sir (I got this one from The Simpsons’ Comic Book Guy)
  • rotor
  • so many dynamos

… and the always useful

  • yo, banana boy!

If you have any favorite palindromes, don’t nod; post them in the comments section.

* Filed by rebecca at 9:39 pm under For the love of words

5 Responses to “Yo, banana boy! (and other palindromes)”

  1. TESS
    March 4th, 2009 | 5:17 pm

    I always say “yo! banana boy!” and I had no idea that it was a palindrome. Awesome! thanks, beck.

  2. Melissa Donovan
    March 4th, 2009 | 6:14 pm

    I love palindromes! There are some famous palindromes that are full sentences but they have slipped my mind. “Yo! Banana Boy!” is a new one for me ;)

  3. rebecca
    March 5th, 2009 | 8:30 am

    @Tess & Melissa - It’s my new favorite greeting!

  4. russ
    November 20th, 2009 | 4:38 pm

    my favorite is:

    “No, sir, away! A papaya war is on!”

    Taken from the book:

    I Love Me, Vol I
    by
    S. Wordrows

  5. Rebecca
    November 24th, 2009 | 9:50 pm

    Hi, Russ -
    Thanks for contributing all of those very cool palindromes! The papaya one is my favorite. Who knew that fruit (banana, papaya) was so fun?

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