DarkRavie Posted October 31, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2019 What's the Word? - OBSTREPEROUS pronunciation: [əb-STREP-ər-əs] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, 17th century meaning: 1. Rowdy, rambunctious, and noisy --- 2. Stubborn, uncooperative, or difficult to control "School recess is full of obstreperous children running out their energy before settling back in class." "The obstreperous bulldog was in need of obedience classes, because he wouldn’t pay attention to anyone." About Obstreperous There are many nuances in the adjectives used to describe something noisy and drawing attention. Obstreperous usually implies a protest; clamorous is more insistent. If you’re boisterous you’re demonstrating excitement and high spirits. Vociferous means an intense shouting. And chromatic? You’re just colorful. Did you Know? Obstreperous implies a deliberate protest and resistance to being quieted. This comes from its Latin roots: “ob-” meaning against and “strepere” meaning to make a noise. When you’re frustrated at an obstreperous child throwing a temper tantrum, try to channel your inner Zen and figure out just what it is they’re protesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted November 1, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2019 What's the Word? - RUBICUND pronunciation: [ROO-bi-kehnd] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, late 15th century meaning: 1. Have a red complexion --- 2. Reddish in color "A good workout will leave you with a sweaty shirt, a rubicund face, and a better mood." "The rubicund cruise ship passengers had clearly spent too much time in the sun with too little sunscreen." About Rubicund In an attempt to achieve a rubicund complexion, people have been applying red tint to their cheeks for centuries. Before the blush you can buy at the drugstore, people would use products made from crushed mulberries, red sandalwood, carmine (harvested from insects), and beet juice. Some of the early makeup products were extremely toxic, but others, such as carmine, are still used today. Did you Know? Rubicund is used almost exclusively to describe a red face. Other words to describe complexion include swarthy (dark), bronzed, fair, florid and ruddy (both red), and jaundiced (yellow). There are plenty of options to describe someone with sickly pale skin: bloodless, pallid, pasty, and sallow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted November 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2019 What's the Word? - FOGBOW pronunciation: [FAWG-boh] Part of speech: noun Origin: mid-19th century meaning: 1. A rainbow made of fog droplets; a white rainbow --- 2. An arc or circle of white or yellow seen against the fog "The children were so startled to see a fogbow that they called it a ghost rainbow." "Keep your eyes peeled on an overcast morning; you might be lucky to see a fogbow." About Fogbow You’re likely to see a fogbow when the sun is breaking through the fog, or frequently over the ocean. Sailors sometimes call fogbows “seadogs.” You might also hear it referred to as a cloudbow, mistbow, or white rainbow. Did you Know? A fogbow is an almost identical meteorological phenomena to a rainbow, just lacking color. They are both formed from sunlight and moisture and can be seen opposite the sun. But while rainbows use the water droplets in the air to display a range of colors, the fogbow appears white because the water droplets in fog are so small. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted November 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2019 What's the Word? - SURFEIT pronunciation: [SURF-it] Part of speech: noun Origin: Middle English, 14th century meaning: 1. An overabundant or excessive amount of something --- 2. Eat or drink to excess "The wedding, with buffet tables piled high with a surfeit of delicacies, would be talked about in the family for years." "He was on a strict diet, only giving into surfeit on his one cheat day of the month." About Surfeit While a recent Thanksgiving morning tradition is to run a 5k “Turkey Trot,” there won’t be any jogging after you eat a surfeit at dinner. This noun means an overindulgence. If anything, you’ll succumb to the tryptophan in turkey and conk out on the couch. Did you Know? In the definitions given here, surfeit is a noun, applied to amounts of excess. The word can also be used as a verb, describing the action of eating or drinking to the point of overindulgence. Used either way, you’re not going hungry. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted November 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2019 (edited) What's the Word? - PUERILE pronunciation: [PYUHR-ill] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, mid-17th century meaning: 1. Showing immaturity; silly or juvenile --- 2. Relating to or characteristic of a child "The puerile pranks earned the boys a few weeks detention on top of the punishment their parents gave them." "The older sister was irritated at being forced to wear a puerile outfit to match her sibling in the family photo." About Puerile While puerile can be used to mean anything related to actual children, it’s also used to describe anything immature and childish. Actor Will Ferrell has made a career starring in puerile movies, such as "Zoolander," "Old School," and "Anchorman." Even beloved Christmas movie “Elf” has a juvenile element to the story. Did you Know? Puerile is giving boys a bad name. The adjective used to describe something immature, childish, or just altogether silly comes from the Latin word puer, meaning boy. Instead of saying “Boys will be boys,” challenge them to push aside stereotypes and change their puerile behavior. Edited November 5, 2019 by DarkRavie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted November 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2019 (edited) What's the Word? - LEGERDEMAIN pronunciation: [LEH-jər-də-main] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, 15th century meaning: 1. Sleight of hand, or the use of one’s hands when performing magic tricks --- 2. A tricky display of skill or cleverness "While a magician can put on a good display of legerdemain, you should keep your eyes out for skilled pickpockets as well." "His tactics weren’t always ethical, but a bit of legerdemain impressed his bosses enough to earn him a promotion." About Legerdemain David Copperfield is one of the world's most famous illusionists and sleight of hand magicians. While his stage shows include frequent displays of legerdemain, he is also known for large-scale magic tricks. His illusions have included making the Statue of Liberty disappear and reappear, flying on stage, levitating over the Grand Canyon, and walking through the Great Wall of China. Did you Know? Translated directly from French, legerdemain means light of hand. It's a synonym for sleight of hand, which uses Middle English word sleight, meaning sly. Whichever term you use for your magicians, they're bound to put on a few good tricks. Edited November 5, 2019 by DarkRavie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted November 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2019 What's the Word? - PROMULGATE pronunciation: [PROM-uhl-gate] Part of speech: verb Origin: Latin, early 16th century meaning: 1. To proclaim or make an idea widely known --- 2. To put into effect as a law or regulation "A side effect of social media is to quickly promulgate news and gossip." "It may seem like nothing ever gets done in government, but the primary role of elected officials is to promulgate new laws." About Promulgate There’s power in selecting the perfect word. If you want to share a doctrine or philosophy, you would promulgate. Announce implies sharing for the first time. Declare and proclaim are both forceful, confident announcements. Languish just means you’re too feeble to do anything. Did you Know? While the official definition has nothing to do with livestock, the origin of promulgate has ties to the milking barn. The Latin verb mulgere means to extract, or literally “to milk.” Paired with the prefix pro, meaning forward, and you’re bringing something forward when you promulgate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted November 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2019 What's the Word? - WINSOME pronunciation: [WIN-suhm] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Old English, pre-12th century meaning: 1. Charming and engaging with a childlike innocence --- 2. Cheery and good-natured "Her winsome character gained her many friends at school." "He was winsome and friendly to every person he met." About Winsome Dale Carnegie’s book “How to Make Friends and Influence People” is a classic guide for how to improve your attitude and draw people to you. This isn’t a sleazy sales technique. It includes winsome advice such as being generous with praise and remembering people’s names. It seems easy, but you try making friends as an adult. Did you Know? You win some; you lose some. But there’s no losing when it comes to a winsome attitude. It comes from the Old English word wynn, meaning joy. Pull out this adjective whenever you want to describe anyone who is an absolute pleasure to be around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted November 8, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2019 What's the Word? - CUPIDITY pronunciation: [kyoo-PIH-də-tee] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, 15th century meaning: 1. Intense desire for riches and wealth --- 2. Form of greed; desire to possess more than one needs "He grew up poor, and his cupidity propelled him to go after the most lucrative jobs." "Newly wealthy people often fall victim to cupidity, acquiring cars, clothes, jewelry and houses to display their riches." About Cupidity The star of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" was known for his extreme greed and cupidity. After the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future came to visit him he changed his ways. Now if only these lessons could be applied to your stingy relatives. Did you Know? You might think of red hearts when you see this word, and cupidity does share a root with the winged baby shooting love arrows. Cupidus is Latin for desirous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted November 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2019 What's the Word? - GRANDILOQUENT pronunciation: [ɡran-DIHL-ə-kwent] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, late 16th century meaning: 1. A lofty, colorful style of speaking intended to impress --- 2. Being vain or pompous in an overbearing style "The speech, while intended to be motivational, came across as grandiloquent with too many pretentious words and phrases." "Instead of receiving the award humbly, she didn’t thank anyone in her grandiloquent acceptance speech." About Grandiloquent While grandiloquence is an impressive word to add to your vocabulary, being a grandiloquent speaker isn't so positive. You can alienate your listeners with too many flowery words or overblown phrases. To learn how to be a better speaker, consider joining a group like the Toastmasters, an organization devoted to teaching people how to be better communicators. Did you Know? Grandiloquent, coming from the Latin words for grand (grandis) and speak (landis), usually has a negative connotation of someone coming across as pompous. The next time you're tempted to roll your eyes at someone's speech, you could display your grandiloquence by pulling out this word. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted November 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2019 What's the Word? - POTENTATE (Sunday's word) pronunciation: [POH-tihn-tayt] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, 15th century meaning: 1. A powerful ruler; usually a monarch or dictator --- 2. Anyone with unlimited power or influence "The potentate’s laws were unpopular, but no one had the courage to speak against him." "The chef runs his kitchen like a potentate — what he says goes, and you’d better obey quickly." About Potentate If you’re calling a ruler a potentate, the implication is that they are all powerful and often abuse that power. A dictator would be considered a potentate. A president or prime minister can’t be a potentate because government structures limit their power. Your mother, however, could probably claim potentate status. Did you Know? Potentate comes from the Latin root potent, meaning powerful. Other familiar English words have the same origin: omnipotent (having unlimited power), impotent (helpless or powerless), and plain old potent (having great effect). What's the Word? - BUMBOAT (Monday's word) pronunciation: [BUHM-boat] Part of speech: noun Origin: Dutch, 17th century meaning: 1. Traditionally, a small boat used to ferry provisions to ships docked away from the shore --- 2. In Singapore, a water taxi used to take tourists on sightseeing tours "The captain of the bumboat ran a lucrative business because the sailors had no other way to buy supplies." "Add a tour on a bumboat to your Singapore visit and get a unique perspective of the city from the water." About Bumboat While you will find a boatswain on a marine vessel, and possibly even aboard a bumboat, this is a name for the ship’s officer in charge of the equipment. You might also hear the boatswain referred to as a bosun or Petty Officer. Did you Know? The term bumboat initially meant a scavenger’s boat, but they came to be an important part of the marine economy. Large ships couldn’t always dock at the shore and these smaller vessels would ferry provisions across the water, for a handsome price, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted November 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 What's the Word? - PROTEAN pronunciation: [PRO-tee-an] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Greek, late 16th century meaning: 1. Extremely changeable, easily assuming different forms --- 2. Displaying versatility or diversity "The superhero was a valuable member of the team, with his protean ability to shapeshift into any figure." "The artist’s protean ability meant that you never knew what kind of work you would see at her next show." About Protean Anyone with protean tendencies will love Halloween because of the opportunity to turn into any kind of character they can imagine. But the tradition of dressing up in costume for Halloween has roots going back to the 16th century. In Celtic tradition people would use costumes to hide from or frighten spirits. The practice has evolved over the years into the celebration of clever costumes and candy that it is today. Did you Know? Don’t get this confused with the similarly spelled protein. Protean comes from the Greek god Proteus, who had the ability to change shapes and tell the future. What a pair of talents — foresee something you don’t like? Just change shapes and get out of there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted November 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 What's the Word? - MEPHITIC pronunciation: [mə-FIHD-ik] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, early 17th century meaning: 1. Offensive smelling --- 2. Harmful or poisonous "The man with dirty clothes and an overgrown, unruly beard was responsible for the mephitic air on the plane." "All of the students received a safety lecture before chemistry class because many of the solutions were mephitic if handled incorrectly." About Mephitic Noxious is an adjective that means harmful or unpleasant. It could describe a substance, or even a person. It’s often used in the definition of mephitic, which is an adjective commonly applied to gaseous odors. It’s all about the shades of meaning. That annoying person in your office who always takes credit for your work could be described as noxious, but if she also wears way too much perfume, she’s mephitic. Did you Know? Mephitic is most often used in relation to a gas, or the air. Certain common chemicals in your house can turn dangerous when used inappropriately. Be careful not to mix bleach and ammonia, or you’ll create a gas that satisfies both definitions of mephitic — foul smelling and poisonous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted November 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2019 What's the Word? - TRENCHANT pronunciation: [TREN-chənt] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Middle English, 13th century meaning: 1. Being sharp, intense, and forceful --- 2. Characterized by energy and effectiveness "The professor’s trenchant critique discouraged her so much she considered dropping the class." "The keynote speaker’s delivery was so trenchant that people lined up afterward to shake her hand." About Trenchant Trenchant is often used to describe commentary or criticism. If you have a trenchant delivery, you’re known for your biting wit. You’ll be in good company with the likes of Oscar Wilde, Joan Rivers, and Jon Stewart. Did you Know? An obsolete definition of trenchant means physically having a sharp blade. While the adjective is now used in a more figurative sense, a powerful, trenchant remark can still leave wounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted November 15, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2019 What's the Word? - ATARAXY pronunciation: [ADD-uh-rack-see] Part of speech: noun Origin: Greek, 17th century meaning: 1. A state of calmness and tranquility --- 2. Freedom from mental disturbance or anxiety "Meditation and other methods of practicing mindfulness will help you achieve ataraxy." "She was able to finally find ataraxy after years of therapy and facing her demons." About Ataraxy The pursuit of ataraxy involves eliminating feelings of anxiety and worry. Anxiety is the direct opposite of a state of calmness and tranquility. But don't worry, everyone experiences a little stress and anxiety in their day-to-day lives. The key is to not let it overwhelm you. Take a deep breath and repeat after us: ataraxy. Did you Know? Also known as ataraxia, ataraxy comes from Ancient Greek philosophy to describe a state of being free from all worries. Achieving ataraxy is a key component of several schools of philosophical thought, including Pyrrhonism, Epicureanism, and Stoicism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted November 16, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2019 What's the Word? - CHANDLER pronunciation: [CHAND-lər] Part of speech: noun Origin: Middle English, 13th century meaning: 1. A candlemaker --- 2. A supplier of specific products, most commonly for ships and boats "At the Renaissance Fair you can stop by the chandler's booth and stock up on candles." "Before the ship could head out on its next voyage, the crew needed to visit the chandler for more supplies." About Chandler A chandler is a dealer in specific supplies, most often for a ship. Think about it: You’ve been at sea for months, and you’re coming into port in the middle of the night. You need to restock and make a quick turnaround back to the seas. You won’t go to a regular grocery and hardware store. You’ll go to a specialized wholesaler, or chandler, for all your provisions. Did you Know? A chandler is a candlemaker, but this role had quite a bit more importance in pre-electricity times, when candles were a primary source of light. In medieval households, the head of the chandlery was responsible for all items made from wax or tallow, including candles and soap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted November 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2019 What's the Word? - SPOONERISM pronunciation: [SPOO-nə-riz-əm] Part of speech: noun Origin: English, 1921 meaning: 1. A transposition of the initial letters of two words --- 2. Any error in speech that swaps two syllables between two words "He was so nervous to give his speech that he started out with the spoonerism, “Welcome, fear dends.”" "If you’re speaking too quickly you might stumble over your words and utter a spoonerism." About Spoonerism A slip of the tongue is an idiom for a mistake made while speaking, or when you say something you’re not supposed to reveal. A spoonerism is a specific type of a slip of the tongue. It happens when two sounds, usually at the beginning of two words, are swapped. For example, “know your blose” instead of “blow your nose” would be a spoonerism. Did you Know? The word "spoonerism" was inspired by the Reverend William Archibald Spooner. The 19th-century Oxford don was known for switching the first sounds of his words, hence the creation of the term. Many of the spoonerisms attributed to the reverend are thought to be apocryphal, but they’re still funny: “Three cheers for our queer old dean!” Oops! Sorry, Queen Victoria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted November 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2019 What's the Word? - NABOB pronunciation: [NAY-bob] Part of speech: noun Origin: Hindi, 17th century meaning: 1. A very wealthy and powerful person --- 2. Historically, a European who made their fortune in India or another Eastern country "He was such a nabob that he was invited to every fundraiser and charity event in town." "In the 1800s, a man could leave England as a pauper and return after a few years in India as a celebrated nabob." About Nabob Originally, a nabob was a man who came home after finding his wealth in India and flaunted his new fortunes. Now a nabob is anyone with considerable wealth and power, still with a rather showy connotation. This person could also be described as a tycoon, a magnate, or a mogul. Did you Know? The term "nabob" was brought into English from Hindi during British colonial rule in India. Droves of British men were employed by the East India Company (a giant in trading) and were coming home from the East with huge fortunes. The word continued to spread westward, landing in San Francisco. As rich and powerful men built impressive mansions on hills, they were referred to as nabobs. The name was eventually shortened, and you have the current neighborhood of Nob Hill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted November 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2019 What's the Word? - BROBDINGNAGIAN pronunciation: [brohb-ding-NAG-ee-ən] Part of speech: adjective Origin: English, early 18th century meaning: 1. Of gigantic size --- 2. Of or relating to the fictional land of Brobdingnag "There was no way the Brobdingnagian bouquet of flowers was going to fit on her tiny desk." "His favorite parts of 'Gulliver’s Travels' were the elaborate descriptions of the Brobdingnagian people." About Brobdingnagian The adjective "Brobdingnagian," taken from the name of a mythical land of giants, describes anything of tremendous size. It could be comparatively large, such as a king-sized candy bar to a fun size, or it could be indisputably mammoth, such as the Great Wall of China. Did you Know? This gigantic adjective comes directly from the pages of Jonathan Swift’s 1726 novel “Gulliver’s Travels.” In it, Lemuel Gulliver landed in the fictional land of Brobdingnag after his ship was blown off course. This strange country is inhabited by giants, standing some 60 feet tall. The geographical features, plants, and animals are all in scale with the giants. Brobdingnagian (always capitalized) has come to mean anything of giant proportions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted November 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2019 What's the Word? - HABERDASHER pronunciation: [HAB-ər-dash-ər] part of speech: noun Origin: Middle English, 13th century meaning: 1. (American English) A men’s clothing retailer --- 2. (British English) A retailer for small sewing notions, such as buttons and needles "A stop in at the haberdasher was necessary for him to replenish his summer wardrobe." "The tailor and the haberdasher were located right next to each other, making for a perfect business arrangement." About Haberdasher "Haberdasher" is a fun word for a clothier that specializes in men’s items. If you don’t enjoy shopping, using a fanciful word might put you in a better attitude. If you can’t remember "haberdasher," try "boutique," "emporium," "showroom," or "repository." Did you Know? The modern usage of "haberdasher" means a retailer that sells all manner of men’s fashion, but in the past a haberdasher sold hats exclusively. If you were looking for a woman’s hat, you wouldn’t visit the haberdasher, but instead the milliner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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