The English language has at least one nine-letter word that remains a word as each of its letters is successively removed, right down to a single letter.

p

Is this a comment or a question?

Before I think too much about this problem, I’d like to know if letters must always be removed from one end of the word.

I.e., ideal -l -a -e -d (removing from the trailing end), versus stint -s -t -t -n (alternately removing from either end.

[quote author=NMBryan link=board=omni;num=1150490434;start=0#1 date=03/01/07 at 01:32:00]Is this a comment or a question?

Before I think too much about this problem, I’d like to know if letters must always be removed from one end of the word.

I.e., ideal -l -a -e -d (removing from the trailing end), versus stint -s -t -t -n (alternately removing from either end.

OK, OK, ide is not a word (though I haven’t checked OED); my question is still valid.

the word is starlings