I bet you do this and perhaps don’t know it has an official name, or many names . . .

Words that create new words when spelled backward are called: heteropalindromes, semordnilaps, semi-palindromes, half-palindromes, reversgrams, mynoretehs, reversible anagrams, word reversals, or anadromes.

The term “semordnilap” is a playful invention. Though the term is relatively modern, the concept has been used for centuries.

Lewis Carroll is known for creating “Semordnilap” (the reverse of Palindrome).  

Examples of semordnilaps are found in the works of James Joyce, particularly “Finnegans Wake” (1939).

Joyce was known for his experimental use of language, and “Finnegans Wake” is filled with complex puns, wordplay, and linguistic tricks. Although the book primarily focuses on palindromes and complex word formations, it also features instances where words and phrases take on new meanings when reversed or rearranged. Joyce’s innovative approach to language helped cement semordnilaps as a legitimate and intriguing form of literary expression.

Semordnilaps have made their way into various forms of literature and pop culture, adding a layer of creativity and wit.

For instance, in the Harry Potter series, the mirror in the Room of Requirement, called “Erised,” spells “Desire” backward and reflects the deepest desires of those who look into it.

The above is excerpted from “Words Spelled Backwards to Form Other Words,” by Amandah.  

Writing Prompt: Forwards and backwards.

Use these words in your writing

time – emit

spot – tops

bad – dab

hey – yeh

eh – he

not – ton

now – won

was – saw

straw – warts

bat – tab

brag – garb

buns – snub

decal – laced

deer – reed
desserts – stressed

draw – ward
drawer – reward

evil – live
flow – wolf

gab – bag
knits – stink
lap – pal

pool – loop

mood – doom

mug – gum

nuts – stun
part – trap

paws – swap

pets – step
pins – snip

snit – tins

tide – edit

Note:
A list of Palindromes on The Write Spot Blog

Kali White VanBaale – Editor-at-Large of Past Ten:

Where were you on this day ten years ago? So often we’re told to “be present” and “live in the now,” but in reality we have to look to the past in order to understand and make sense of the present. What I love about Past-Ten is that it embraces this duality—that reflection of one’s past doesn’t have to be an act of regretful self-flagellation, but can instead be an act of self-discovery and hard-earned wisdom others can learn from. Perhaps “living in the now” isn’t a real thing, because now is inextricably tied to was, and both must be lived, and contemplated, simultaneously. Past-Ten aims to explore the beautiful and complex knots of personal histories.

Past Ten Guidelines (from their Submissions Page):

The Basics:

​Tell us a story about where you were ten years ago on a specific date. 

 For your reflection, try to recall what you were doing at the time, focusing on emotion and sensory details.

How did you feel about yourself and your life at the time?

In that moment, could you have imagined yourself ten years later?

Presently, are you where you thought you would be?

Tell us a story that conveys how you feel now about the person you were then.

 Your submission can be in prose or poetry, illustrations/paintings, or another form of visual art—or all of the above! Go bananas.

​​Guidelines:

• Word count: 1,000 words or less
• Reflection should be from a day ten years ago. We will not accept any submission that is a shorter or longer time frame than a decade.
• All manuscripts will be titled after their reflection date (i.e. “July 15th, 2012”). If you’re passionate about using another title, we’re fine with using it as secondary or subtitle. 
• Reflection date can only be for upcoming calendar days. For instance, we cannot publish a piece reflecting on July 15th, 2013 because July 13th, 2023 has already passed.
• Please do not submit previously published work.
• Past Ten does not accept any work that glorifies xenophobia, racism, homophobia, ageism, classism, sexism, religious prejudice, ableism, or anything which normalizes hatred of any marginalized group or individual
• Please familiarize yourself with previous Past Ten reflections to best see how others have approached the project. This is also a great way to gauge what we are looking for in terms of style and content.