Palindromes

Palindromes
A palindrome may be defined as a word, phrase,
sentence, verse, or (sometimes) number that
reads the same backwards as forwards. Some
examples of words that are palindromes are:
POP, SEES, EVE, DID, ROTATOR.
Probably the best-known sentence that is
a palindrome is MADAM, I’M ADAM—
presumably uttered upon introducing himself
to Eve (herself a palindrome!) in the garden of
Eden. Another one that has been around for
some time is Napoleon’s (fictitious) utterance
ABLE WAS I ERE I SAW ELBA. A third
candidate for the trio of well-known palindromes
is A MAN, A PLAN, A CANAL—PANAMA!
Many palindromes have a stilted unnatural
sound. For example: STEP ON NO PETS
and LIVE NOT ON EVIL. (Don’t step on
any pets and Don’t live on evil certainly do not
qualify as palindromes, but they would be at
least slightly more likely candidates for everyday
conversation.)
Palindrome sentences seem to thrive on
imperatives and negatives. Sometimes they
suggest a plausible context, as DRAW, O
COWARD!—if you think of the swashbuckling
days of swordplay. In other cases there is a certain
quaintness: TIS IVAN ON A VISIT. Or they
may be quite overwhelming in their bombast:
LIVE, O DEVIL! REVEL EVER! LIVE! DO
EVIL! and its more positive counterpart: DO
O GOD, NO EVIL DEED, LIVE ON, DO
GOOD!
Occasionally a palindrome may be a question
(usually beginning with was and ending with
saw): WAS IT A RAT I SAW? and WAS IT
A CAR OR A CAT I SAW? and WON’T
LOVERS REVOLT NOW? Some of the longer
palindromes show a persistent ingenuity as well
as imagination: DOC, NOTE I DISSENT;
A FAST NEVER PREVENTS A FATNESS.
I DIET ON COD. Which reminds us of the
plaintive cry of one who has overindulged at
the table: STRESSED WAS I ERE I SAW
DESSERTS.
By far the most popular palindromic personage
is Edna, who performs a variety of feats, usually
in tandem: DENNIS AND EDNA SINNED.—
PAT AND EDNA TAP.—ENID AND EDNA
DINE. At last, a solo performance (though with
an implied companion): TOO FAR, EDNA,
WE WANDER AFOOT.
The following two palindromes, taken together,
provide a family commentary: PA’S A SAP and
MA IS AS SELFLESS AS I AM. Sometimes
animals get into the act: A DOG; A PANIC IN
A PAGODA and TEN ANIMALS I SLAM IN
A NET.
Occasionally one comes across a natural
palindrome, such as YREKA BAKERY—an
actual bakery, located at 322 W. Miner Street, in
the city of Yreka, California.