new to linux/Ubuntu/shell scripting . . .

[Scott Sweeny]

> $ grep -w -e '\(.\)\(.\).\2\1' bigTextFile > palindromes.txt
> and
> $ cat palindromes.txt
>
> both returned: "./palindromes.sh: line #: $: command not found"
>

In examples on the web the '$' is generally used to denote a line to
be typed at the command prompt.  Try removing the '$'s and run it.