Fact check: 'Homework' spelled backwards does not translate to 'child abuse' in Latin
The claim: 'Homework' spelled backward means 'child abuse' in Latin
Many words and phrases are known to have different meanings in other languages, and much of the English vocabulary is derived from Latin roots.
Some social media users are claiming that the word "homework" spelled backward has a meaning in the Latin language.
A Feb. 27 Instagram post with almost 18,000 likes features a screenshot of the Google search, "what is homework backwards." The result purportedly reads, "So basically 'Homework' spelled backwards is 'krowemoh' which in Latin translates to child abuse."
The same screenshot included in the Instagram meme also appears in several viral TikToks, and the hashtag #Krowemoh has more than 246,000 views on the platform .
The Google search screenshot that users have used to make the claim is taken from a March 7, 2013, viral post that has recently resurfaced on Twitter, where many users have shared similar versions of the claim.
"I knew that this homework was just a way to abuse children," one Twitter user wrote along with the claim on Jan. 24.
USA TODAY reached out to the Instagram user for comment.
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'Krowemoh' is not a Latin word
The word "krowemoh" does not exist in Latin. According to Google translate , child abuse in Latin is actually "puer abusus."
A search of "krowemoh" on online Latin - to-English dictionaries results in no matches.
The classical Latin alphabet consists of 23 characters, and the letter W is not one of them. In Latin, the letter U represented a W sound which could only occur only before a vowel, according to Dictionary.com .
European languages that use the Latin alphabet do not use the letters K and W, and they add letters with diacritical marks or pairs of letters that read as one sound, according to Britannica .
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The claim that "krowemoh" translates to "child abuse" in Latin was added in January to Urbandictionary.com , a crowdsourced online dictionary of slang words and phrases.
The Urban Dictionary definition of "krowemoh" makes a joke of the word and children having loads of homework assignments.
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Our rating: False
The claim that "homework" spelled backward translates to "child abuse" in Latin is FALSE, based on our research. "Krowemoh" does not exist in the Latin language and the letter W is not part of the Latin alphabet.
Our fact-check sources:
- Google Translate, accessed March 3, English to Latin, 'puer abusus'
- Latin Dictionary, accessed March 3, 'Krowemoh' search
- Latin-Dictionary.net, accessed March 3, 'Krowemoh' search Latin to English
- Latin-English Dictionary, accessed March 3, 'Krowemoh' search Latin to English
- Dictionary.com, accessed March 3, 'What Does the Letter 'U' Have to do with 'W'?'
- Britannica, accessed March 3, Latin alphabet
- Urban Dictionary, Jan. 6, 'Krowemoh'
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Does homework spelled backward translate to ‘child abuse’ in Latin?
Scrolling through social media recently, you may have come across the viral claim that the word “homework” spelled backward translates to “child abuse” in Latin. This claim has been everywhere lately, racking up thousands of views across Instagram , Twitter , Reddit and YouTube .
But is “krowemoh” really a Latin word, or just a random jumble of letters? Here’s how we fact-checked it.
Practice click restraint
Taking a closer look at the claim on YouTube. The video is a screen recording of the YouTuber doing a keyword search and clicking on the very first result from Urban Dictionary. Automatically clicking on the first result is not really a great technique for vetting information. Instead, practice a media literacy skill from the Stanford History Education Group called click restraint. This is a web-browsing tactic that involves scanning search results for better sources before deciding which website to visit. Spending a couple of extra seconds looking for credible sources is always worth it in the end.
Head directly to the source of information
Heading over to Urban Dictionary, there are several definitions for “ krowemoh .” The top definition was written by someone with the username Sherli Damelio and was posted on Jan. 6. And here lies the issue with Urban Dictionary as a source — anyone on the internet can submit a definition.
For those who aren’t familiar with Urban Dictionary, it’s a sort of rebellious younger sibling to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. It’s key differences? Instead of professional editors defining the words, Urban Dictionary is fully crowdsourced. The website is also mostly for defining slang words and phrases. So is it a credible source when it comes to Latin? No.
See what other sources are saying
Doing a keyword search on Google brought up several articles debunking this claim, including a fact-check from Snopes . According to Snopes, “krowemoh” is definitely not a Latin word, since the letter W doesn’t exist in the Latin language.
Other ways to fact-check this claim would be to simply find an online Latin dictionary or use the Google Translate tool . The Latin dictionary brought up no results for “krowemoh.” And when consulting Google Translate, the Latin phrase for child abuse is completely different.
Not Legit. There is no truth to the claim that homework spelled backwards translates to “child abuse” in Latin.
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"Homework" Spelled Backwards
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"Homework" Spelled Backwards is "Krowemoh," which was purportedly Latin for "child abuse" as claimed in a viral Google search result screenshot that spread in the early 2020s. However, the screenshot was faked because "Krowemoh" is not a Latin word. Despite being debunked, the query What Is "Homework" Backwards? trended on social media going into the 2020s. The joke's based on homework being difficult thereby likening it to child abuse.
On March 17th, 2013, Twitter / X [1] [2] user @mallorymac97 tweeted, "So basically 'Homework' spelled backwards is 'krowemoh' which in Latin translates to 'child abuse,'" receiving over 1,000 likes in eight years (shown below).
In January 2021, Google sourced @mallorymac97's tweet to answer the search query "what is homework backwards," as evident in viral screenshots from multiple Google accounts. [3] [4] The earliest known post was shared by iFunny [4] user @Iamastranger on January 7th, 2021.
However, the more virally spread screenshot of the Google result (likely from an unknown precursor account) was shared by iFunny [3] user @LalyGuzman on January 12th, 2021, gaining over 58,400 smiles in three years (shown below).
In a March 2021 fact-checking article, Reuters [5] cited multiple Instagram , Facebook and TikTok accounts, all of which have since been deleted except for one Instagram [6] post shared on January 19th, 2021.
Reuters debunked the claim that "krowemoh" translates to "child abuse" in Latin, stating that the letter "w" was not part of the Latin alphabet. [5]
On January 15th, 2021, Urban Dictionary [7] user Supreme Doggo added a definition for "Krowemoh," gaining over 490 likes in three years (shown below).
On January 19th, Instagram [6] user @nochillrick reposted the original Google search screenshot, receiving over 11,200 likes in three years.
On January 27th, 2021, TikToker [8] @80beat spread the rumor in a viral video , receiving over 431,600 plays and 41,600 likes in three years (shown below, left).
The rumor continued to spread via similar videos posted in the early 2020s. For instance, on February 25th, 2023, TikToker [9] @sadvibesforeverxd posted a video reiterating the Google search, gaining over 2.6 million plays and 425,500 likes in a year (shown below, right).
@80beat what is homework backwards #Homework #Backwards #SpelledHW ♬ original sound – BeatO
@sadvibesforeverxd #relatable #fyp #funny #friends ♬ SexyBack – ilkan Gunuc & Clara Stegall
The rumor resurfaced in mid-2024, following a Short posted by YouTuber [10] @Jaydagoat130 on July 13th, which gained over 254,400 views and 21,000 likes in three days.
Search Interest
Unavailable.
External References
[1] X – @mallorymac97
[2] Twitter (via Internet Archive) – @mallorymac97
[3] iFunny – @LalyGuzman
[4] iFunny – @Iamastranger
[5] Reuters – Homework spelled backwards does not mean child abuse in Latin .
[6] Instagram – @nochillrick
[7] Urban Dictionary – Krowemoh
[8] TikTok – @80beat
[9] TikTok – @sadvibesforeverxd
[10] YouTube – what is homework backwards
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Commodore V
Jul 16, 2024 at 02:57PM EDT
"However, the screenshot was faked because "Krowemoh" is not a Latin word."
No shit sherlock, that didn't even remotely look like Latin
0000000000000000000000000
Jul 16, 2024 at 05:21PM EDT in reply to Commodore V
Yeah might've actually been an interesting debunk if they'd chosen a more obscure dead language like Babylonian or Ugaritic or something.
Or hell, just say its Scots, might've gotten it added to Wikipedia that way.
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What is ‘homework spelled backwards’ on TikTok?
As someone who spends way too much time scrolling through TikTok (don’t judge me, it’s research!), I’ve stumbled upon some pretty outlandish theories. But there’s one that’s been making the rounds lately, and it’s got me questioning everything I thought I knew about homework…and my own sanity.
The claim goes like this: if you spell “homework” backwards, you get “krowemoh,” which supposedly means “child abuse” in Latin. It’s a revelation that’s both hilarious and ironic, considering how much homework can feel like a form of cruel and unusual punishment for students. And let’s be real, there are probably more than a few teachers out there who take a perverse pleasure in assigning extra problems or essays, just to watch their students squirm. So the idea that homework is literally a form of child abuse, and that teachers have been secretly broadcasting this fact through a clever linguistic trick, is understandably appealing.
So, could there really be a grain of truth to this outlandish theory?
@80beat what is homework backwards #Homework #Backwards #SpelledHW  ♬ original sound – BeatO
Before you start imagining your teachers as members of a secret sadistic society that communicates through backward spelling, let’s take a step back and examine the facts. According to sources like Reuters , “krowemoh” doesn’t actually mean anything in Latin or any other language. It’s simply a nonsense word that happens to be “homework” spelled backward. It turns out that this mysterious word is nothing more than an internet joke that’s been circulating since at least 2013.
If you try translating “child abuse” into Latin using Google Translate or any other reputable tool, you’ll find that the actual translation is “puer abusus,” not “krowemoh.” Similarly, if you attempt to translate “krowemoh” from Latin to English, you’ll come up empty-handed. “Homework” in Latin can be translated to “pensum domesticum” or similar variations, depending on context. Furthermore, the letter “w” wasn’t even part of the classical Latin alphabet. It wasn’t until centuries later, during medieval times, that the letter “v” was differentiated into “u,” “v,” and “w.” So, the chances of a Latin word like “krowemoh” existing are slim to none.
The point is, teachers are far too busy grading papers and contemplating their life choices to keep up with the latest social media trends. Plus, they probably think “krowemoh” is just another slang term they’ll never understand, like “yeet” or “sus.” In conclusion, your teachers probably aren’t part of an ancient Latin plot to make your life miserable. Probably.
FACT CHECK: No, ‘Homework’ Spelled Backwards Is Not Latin For ‘Child Abuse’
A post shared on Facebook claims the word “homework” spelled backwards translates to “child abuse” in Latin.
Verdict: False
The word “krowemoh” does not have meaning in Latin.
Fact Check:
Latin, the language of Ancient Rome, spread with the Roman Empire’s expansion, survived its collapse and remained in learned use throughout the Middle Ages, according to The British Library . Modern “Romance” languages, including Spanish, French and Italian, originated from Latin, Illinois Wesleyan University’s Greek and Roman Studies Department’s website states.
In recent weeks, multiple Facebook users have attempted to suggest in posts that the Latin term for “child abuse” is “krowemoh,” the word “homework” spelled backwards. There is, however, no evidence that is the case. (RELATED: Did Cicero Say This Quote About Ancient Rome?)
Several Latin-to-English online dictionaries show that there is no translation for the word “krowemoh.” The Latin phrase for “child abuse” is “puer abusus,” according to Google Translate . The application’s Latin translation for “homework” is “duis congue sem.”
The classical Latin alphabet had 23 letters, not including the letter “W,” further adding to the claim’s dubiousness. In the Latin language, the letter “W” developed out of the letter “V” in the Middle Ages, the Encyclopaedia Britannica states . The letter “U” originated from “V” in a similar way, according to the encyclopedia.
It’s possible the inaccurate notion that “krowemoh” is the Latin word for “child abuse” may stem from a March 2013 tweet sent by the Twitter handle @mallorymac97. An image of Google search results featuring the tweet appeared on TikTok in January 2021 with the hashtag “#krowemoh.”
Trevor Schakohl
Legal reporter.
What is homework backwards: Krowemoh - a Latin word or a popular scam? Read this article to find out
What is homework spelled backwards
There’s a popular idea that homework spelled backwards, krowemoh, means child abuse in Latin. But this idea doesn’t hold any water since the Latin alphabet doesn’t even contain the letter W.
It’s easy for students to come up with ludicrous ideas to get rid of the guilt of not doing homework. But the facts are different. Krowemoh is not a word in Latin, and it has nothing to do with child abuse. For that matter, it doesn’t even sound like a Latin word. German, maybe, but definitely not Latin.
Surely, students are not keen on the idea of doing homework every day. This is why they come up with these rumors and spread them among their peers. But in reality, homework is a useful way of assessing students’ knowledge. It’s tedious and hard for learners to do it every day, especially after a whole day of classes. But unfortunately, a better way of testing students’ knowledge hasn’t been invented yet. Whether it’s for written or oral examination, students still have to dedicate a lot of time to education at home.
In this article, we will try to change your opinion on homework by presenting you with some facts on its use in real life, as well as tips for making it easier on you.
How did the popular myth start?
It’s hard to trace back the origin of any myth, especially nowadays. Myths, rumors and ideas spread like wildfire these days. But most of them originate online. The same has most likely happened here. The most popular idea of this myth’s conception is that it originated as a joke. It probably started as a meme or a joke on some school’s forum and took off from there.
The thing about the internet is that, unfortunately, many people believe everything they see as long as they agree with it. If a young student sees a post on social media that says that homework is a form of child abuse, they are highly likely to believe it and start spreading this information. The reference to latin makes it that much more believable. Yet, this is a valuable lesson that we should all learn from. The internet is full of misinformation, and it’s paramount that you check your facts. The more sources you use the better. Just like with academic writing.
The truth is, homework is good for you. It gives you the opportunity to look at the facts presented during class from your own perspective. You research other sources, find more in-depth information and get acquainted with the topic on a deeper level. This leads to more profound and long-term learning.
Homework backwards: Does it actually mean anything?
Homework backwards is krowemoh. Krowemoh in Latin is not even a word. First of all, the Latin alphabet doesn’t use the letter ‘W.’ Homework in Latin is congue. This word also can mean loan depending on the context. By a long shot, this may even mean that doing homework will help you pay out your student loans.
Not that ancient Romans predicted education would be so expensive, you need to take a huge loan and pay it off for your entire life, but still. Doing homework, studying well and graduating will help you in the future. It may be hard to believe, but some companies still do care about your diploma. And those companies are the ones that pay the best.
In the English language, krowemoh meaning homework backwards doesn’t stand for anything but a bunch of gibberish. And it definitely does not mean child abuse, not in Latin or any other language. Even though it may not seem like it, homework is actually good for you.
Arguments against homework
Surely, most students are deeply opposed to doing homework. It takes a bunch of time, professors get stricter and more demanding every year, and the topics of those pesky essays seem to take you 40 years in the past sometimes.
For most people, the last thing they want to do after coming home from school is doing more school assignments. If you want to learn more about why homework should be banned , you should check out this article.
Luckily, modern students came up with many solutions to this issue. Some resort to AI tools to help them craft an outline for an essay. Unfortunately, the screws got pretty tight on using AI for homework help as soon as students started actively using it. Still, using AI for drafting a structure for your essay is not a crime. And it’s much easier to write once you have an outline.
Also, you can outsource your entire paper or some of its sections to professional services like Studyfy. A professional writer who you choose yourself will not use AI. Instead, they will use their expertise and years of experience to craft a custom paper just for you.
Need a hand with your assignments? Our expert assistance ensures you meet deadlines and achieve top grades. Get personalized support in any subject and excel in your studies!
Why homework is good and we have 10 reasons why students should have homework
Why is homework important ? Homework is so far the best way to assess your knowledge, independence and critical thinking skills. Sure, you can use the internet while at home and research all the topics you don’t understand. But research is also an important skill that doing homework regularly teaches you.
Tests during classes are another means of assessing students’ knowledge. But the drawback is that they take quite a bit of time, and you can’t do them too often. Since if you would, the teacher would have no time to actually teach you new topics.
10 Benefits of Homework:
- Homework teaches students about time management.
- Homework teaches students how to set priorities.
- Homework helps teachers determine how well the lessons are being understood by their students.
- Homework teaches students how to problem solve.
- Homework gives student another opportunity to review class material.
- Homework gives parents a chance to see what is being learned in school.
- Homework teaches students how to take responsibility for their part in the educational process.
- Homework teaches students that they may have to do things—even if they don’t want to.
- Homework teaches students to work independently.
- Homework teaches students the importance of planning, staying organized, and taking action.
Skills that homework develops
Homework is not just a torture device. Students learn a lot of valuable skills from doing their homework.
The first one is self-education. During higher education, like college or university, a lot more emphasis is placed on self education. Students are given part of the material is class, but the majority of the topic they are to learn independently. This is a very valuable skill that students will use way beyond campus.
Independence goes hand in hand with self-education. Independence in doing research, thinking critically, making decisions, like which approach to choose for a particular study, or even which assignment to tackle first, is very important for a student. You learn to prioritize, make executive decisions and solve problems.
Homework also teaches you consequences of actions. Sure, this may sound a bit childish, but there’s no better way to learn the value of prioritization than during a class for which you didn’t prepare. At least once, every student will decide to go out rather than do homework, and greatly regret it the next day. Forgetting about a test or an oral examination is a classic event that every student will go through. But after it happens once, you will check your homework assignments and schedules more carefully, right?
Struggling with homework? Get the support you need to succeed! Our resources and tips will help you manage your time, stay focused, and tackle challenging tasks with confidence. Let’s make learning easier together.
Wrapping up
Homework in latin does not mean child abuse. This myth must be debunked and forgotten. What started as a joke has gone a bit too far, in our opinion. This should be a good lesson for students to not believe everything they see or hear online. The internet is full of misinformation and a lot of these false facts and propaganda are meant to cause a reaction. Don’t feed into this cycle.
Homework is a great device to test students’ aptitude in the topics they study. Usually, when professors give homework, they want to see how you work independently. They want you to show your critical thinking skills, your interpretation of the class materials and evidence of your independent research. This is not a torture device. But if you see it as one, it may surely feel like it. If you ever feel overwhelmed, remember that asking for help, like searching for ‘ do my homework ’ services, can provide the support you need to succeed.
But as soon as you change your perspective from ‘this professor just wants me to suffer,’ to ‘this professor wants me to learn deeper,’ doing homework will become easier. It’s not there to make you miserable. Instead, doing homework will help you do better in your classes. And in turn, it will help you secure a good job with a stable paycheck.
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