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Unix Dict/grep Solves Left-Side-of-Keyboard Puzzle

Posted by timothy on from the mysteries-of-the-ages dept.

destinyland writes "For decades, people have been asking this brain teaser: 'What's the longest word you can type with only the left-hand letters on a keyboard?' The answer is supposed to be 'stewardesses,' but grepping the standard dictionary that ships with Unix reveals a much better answer. There's nearly 2,000 shorter words that can typed with only the left hand — including one word that's even longer. (The article also quotes a failed novel attempt using nothing but words typed on the keyboard's left side.)"

2 of 423 comments (clear)

  1. Ridiculous by philspear · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    I'm missing my right hand, you insensitive clods, and I can type any word I want to. I once typed out the longest word in the english language, the chemical name for the protein "Titan," with just my left hand, so I say THAT is the longest word one can type out with just their left hand.

    In case you're wondering, it has 189819 letters, and no, there is no reason one would write out the IUPAC name.

  2. Ummm... by inode_buddha · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    "Daddy, why are you typing with only one hand??" "Hey, can't you knock!!??"

    --
    C|N>K