latin homework meme

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'

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can  subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.

Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

Does 'Homework' Spelled Backwards Mean 'Child Abuse' in Latin?

Thousands of languages have existed throughout the history of humanity. there is no evidence the word "krowemoh" ever belonged to any of them., alex kasprak, published jan. 31, 2021.

About this rating

The claim that the word "homework" spelled backwards translates to "child abuse" in Latin has been a feature of the internet since at least March 2013 . In January 2021, a Reddit thread brought the assertion renewed interest .

The claim is false. The word "krowemoh" does not exist in the Latin language. In fact, not even the character "W" existed in Latin, whose alphabet contained 23 characters . Latin, the language of the Roman Empire and the Catholic Church, had largely died out by the 6th century AD — replaced by regional dialects that would ultimately become the Romance languages of Europe.

A form of the character W was first used around the 7th century AD, because the Latin alphabet did not have a character to represent the sound /w/ spoken in Germanic and old English languages. As a solution, writers began using "uu" (or "vv" as u and v referred to the same character in the classical Latin alphabet) to represent the sound /w/. The character we now know as "W" did not see widespread use until the 1500s , well after Latin-speaking humans were creating new words in that language.

All of this is to say that "krowemoh" is not a word and it certainly does not mean "child abuse" in Latin or any other language we are aware of.

By Alex Kasprak

Alex Kasprak is an investigative journalist and science writer reporting on scientific misinformation, online fraud, and financial crime.

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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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Fact Check: Homework Spelled Backwards ('Krowemoh') Does NOT Translate To 'Child Abuse' In Latin

• Mar 2, 2021
• by: Alexis Tereszcuk

Does "homework" spelled backwards translate to "child abuse" in Latin? No, that's not true. There is no such word as "krowemoh" in Latin; it is a nonsensical word. According to Google translate, the words "child abuse" in Latin are "puer abusus," not "krowemoh."

The claim appeared as a meme (archived here ) published on Instagram on February 27, 2021. It opened:

So basically "homework" spelled backwards is "krowemoh" which in Latin translates to "child abuse."

Social media users saw this:

The "krowemoh" meme has been on the internet since at least 2013. The cropped photo posted on Instagram does not show the original date of the post, which was March 17, 2013. A Reddit thread posted the meme in 2021, with commenters claiming "krowemoh" is a Polish word, which it is not.

The word "krowemoh" does not exist in the Latin Dictionary .

This is an urban legend and the Urban Dictionary makes a joke about the word, insinuating children call homework child abuse, not that it is a real translation.

In Latin, this claim would be rated: "Non verum est."

Alexis Tereszcuk is a writer and fact checker at Lead Stories and  an award-winning journalist who spent over a decade breaking hard news and celebrity scoop with RadarOnline and Us Weekly. As the Entertainment Editor, she investigated Hollywood stories and conducted interviews with A-list celebrities and reality stars.   Alexis’ crime reporting earned her spots as a contributor on the Nancy Grace show, CNN, Fox News and Entertainment Tonight, among others. Read more about or contact Alexis Tereszcuk

Lead Stories is a fact checking website that is always looking for the latest false, misleading, deceptive or inaccurate stories, videos or images going viral on the internet. Spotted something? Let us know! .

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Homework spelled backwards does not mean child abuse in Latin

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Unraveling ‘Krowemoh’: Its Meaning and Digital Impact

Ever been intrigued by an unusual term that suddenly becomes a sensation on the Internet? Today, we dive into such a phenomenon, the term “Krowemoh”. Many of us have encountered this word in memes, YouTube videos, TikToks, and even as hashtags, but what does it really mean?

Understanding “Krowemoh”

The term “Krowemoh” is actually “homework” spelled backward. As simple as it may seem, it carries more than just a play on letters; it encapsulates a sense of humor, a spirit of rebellion, and a touch of creativity that is reflective of today’s digital culture.

“Krowemoh” in Digital Pop Culture

Now, let’s talk about how “Krowemoh” has invaded our everyday Internet lingo. From memes to YouTube videos, TikToks to hashtags, “Krowemoh” is everywhere.

In the world of memes, “Krowemoh” has found its place. It represents the sentiment many students feel towards homework, adding a touch of humor to the otherwise mundane. It’s often used in comic settings where characters are avoiding their homework or when homework is presented as a dreaded antagonist. You might have seen popular memes like “The Krowemoh Monster” or “Avoiding the Krowemoh” making rounds on social media.

But the phenomenon didn’t stop there. It found its way onto YouTube, where content creators use “Krowemoh” in their videos, either as part of their comedic sketches or as a way to title their vlogs on study days. In fact, typing “Krowemoh” in the YouTube search bar yields thousands of results, demonstrating its widespread usage.

Moreover, on TikTok, the term has sparked a variety of trends, often linked with fun dances or skits about avoiding homework. The hashtag #Krowemoh has millions of views, making it a trendsetter on the platform.

The Impact of “Krowemoh”

With its rise in digital culture, “Krowemoh” has become more than a word; it’s a shared experience and a testament to the creativity that the Internet often fosters. It exemplifies how a simple word can capture a collective sentiment and become a part of everyday lingo. By understanding “Krowemoh”, we learn more about our shared culture and the powerful influence of the digital world.

Closing Thoughts

In a world where new trends emerge every day, “Krowemoh” serves as a reminder of the creative potential the Internet holds. It represents a shared experience, a collective sentiment, and the evolution of language in the digital era. So, the next time you see “Krowemoh” on a meme, in a video, or as a hashtag, remember the impact it holds in our shared digital culture.

Have you come across any “Krowemoh” memes or videos recently? Or perhaps you’ve used the term in your own digital content? Share your experiences with us!

Today, M. S. U. (2021, March 7). Fact check: “Homework” spelled backwards does not translate to “child abuse” in Latin. USA TODAY. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2021/03/03/fact-check-krowemoh-does-not-mean-child-abuse-latin/6902547002/

Mehta, D. (2023). What is the meaning of ‘krowemoh’? Twitter confused by homework spelt backwards. Hashtag Hyena. https://hashtaghyena.com/twitter/what-is-the-meaning-of-krowemoh-twitter-confused-by-homework-spelled-backwards/

#krowemoh | TikTok. (n.d.). TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/tag/krowemoh?lang=en

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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.”

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