This is our second article about levidromes and A.I. This time we interfaced with ChatGPT. Not only were we impressed that ChatGPT knew what a levidrome was, it also is behind the word. We asked a simple question.
What is a levidrome?
ChatGPT said:
A levidrome is a word that forms another valid word when spelled backwards. Unlike a palindrome (which reads the same forwards and backwards), a levidrome changes into a different word in reverse.
Examples:
"stressed" → "desserts"
"god" → "dog"
"drawer" → "reward"
Origin:
The term levidrome was coined by a young boy named Levi Budd from Canada. He noticed there wasn’t a word for this kind of word pair and suggested the name levidrome (after his own name). His father, a poet, helped publicize the idea, and it gained traction online—even attracting attention from Oxford Dictionaries.
Is it an official word?
As of now, levidrome is not officially recognized in most major dictionaries, but it's widely used and understood in wordplay communities.
We then asked ChatGPT:
Are there any other words which are in contention with levidrome?
ChatGPT said:
Great question. While "levidrome" is the most well-known and popularized term for a word that becomes another valid word when reversed, it’s not the only term that has been considered or used informally. However, none have gained as much traction as levidrome. Here's a breakdown:
Levidrome
- Coined by Levi Budd.
- Popularized through viral videos and media coverage.
- Supported by Oxford Dictionaries (though not officially added).
- Intuitive and has a human story behind it, which helped it spread.
Other Terms (Less Common / Academic / Obscure)
1. Semordnilap
- "Palindrome" spelled backwards.
- Refers to words or phrases that spell a different word backwards.
- Example: "diaper" ↔ "repaid".
- Used in recreational linguistics circles and wordplay books.
- Not very elegant or intuitive, which limits its mainstream appeal.
2. Anadrome
- Derived from Greek roots meaning "running back".
- Sometimes used to describe reverse word pairs.
- Rarely seen outside of niche linguistic discussions.
3. Reversal Pair
- A descriptive term, not an official name.
- Used in computational linguistics or programming contexts.
Why Levidrome Has the Edge:
- Catchy and easy to say.
- Human backstory gives it narrative appeal.
- Clear meaning and simple to explain.
- Supported by a grassroots campaign and media interest.
So there is the answer. ChatGPT likes levidromes. If only the dictionaries used ChatGPT, then levidrome would be a shoe-in.
