“A man, a plan, a canal – PANAMA”
May 21, 2025
The title of my article is a palindrome, one of the more playful aspects of language. A palindrome is a word, phrase, number, or other sequence of characters that reads the same forward and backward, ignoring spaces, punctuation, and capitalization. From simple examples like “radar” and “level” to longer phrases such as “A man, a plan, a canal, Panama!”, palindromes have an uncanny ability to captivate our imagination.
Right now, in May 2025, we are experiencing a series of dates that are all examples of a numerical palindrome. The dates 5.20.25 to 5.29.25, minus the punctuation, read the same forward and backward – 52025, 52125, 522205 through 5292025! As a palindrome enthusiast, I am fascinated by these dates.
Some examples of palindromes may even be found in the Bible, such as the number 77 (Matthew 18:22) and the number 666 (Revelation 13:18). However, the most obvious one to me is the name EVE, first found in Genesis 3:20.
While numbers and singular words are delightful, palindromic phrases can be even more entertaining. For example, consider “A Santa at NASA.” This playful sentence conjures a whimsical image of Santa Claus in a space setting!
Palindromes evoke a sense of playfulness and also have an aesthetic appeal – the beautiful interplay of letters that remain unchanged whether read from left to right or right to left! Whether you’re a language lover, a number enthusiast, someone who participates in online palindrome clubs, or simply someone who enjoys a good brain teaser, palindromes offer an endless source of fascination. From the simplicity of “Eve” to the complexity of palindromic sentences, these unique constructs remind us of the playful side of language.
What are some of your favorite examples of palindromes that are on your RADAR -RADAR?