2.4.1 :001 > words = []
=> []
2.4.1 :002 > word||=""
=> ""
2.4.1 :003 > words.push(word)
=> [""]

2.4.1 :001 > words = []
=> []
2.4.1 :002 > word||=""
=> ""
2.4.1 :003 > word = gets.chomp

=> ""
2.4.1 :004 > words.push(word)
=> [""]

2.4.1 :001 > words = []
=> []
2.4.1 :002 > word||=""
=> true
2.4.1 :003 > words.push(word) until(word=gets.chomp)==""

 => nil
2.4.1 :004 > words
=> []

puts "Type in a word or type enter on an empty line to exit"
words = []
(word||="")
words.push(word) until(word=gets.chomp)==""
p words.sort