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Category Archives: Word of the Day
Obscure Collective Nouns for a Worship of Writers
Back in the 15th Century, collective nouns were all the rage. The system, which assigns a different word for “group” depending on the animal being referred to, was the brainchild of English hunters who wanted to distinguish each of their … Continue reading
The Whole 9 Yards – Etymology of English Idioms + Puns
When word sleuths go digging for the origin of our favorite puns, idioms and catchphrases, literature is usually a good starting point. (Joseph Heller coined Catch-22 in a novel of the same name; “absence makes the heart grow fonder” was … Continue reading
Posted in Just for Fun, Save the Word!, Word of the Day, Writing Tips
Tagged aesop's fables idioms, catch-22, etymology, famous idioms from books, famous puns from literature, history of idioms, joseph heller, new etymology findings, pun history, romeo and juliet idioms, shakespeare, terms coined by authors, whole nine yards etymology, whole nine yards history, whole nine yards origin, whole six yards, wild goose chase etymology, william safire new york times
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There’s A Foreign Word For That – Useful Words That Don’t Exist In English
Even the greatest wordsmiths have moments when they just can’t find the right word. Sometimes it’s because of a brain lapse, and other times, it’s because we’re just not sure what we’re trying to say. But sometimes, the word may … Continue reading
Posted in Rules for Writing, Word of the Day, Writing Tips
Tagged age-tori meaning, foreign words not in english, Forelsket meaning, french words not in english, Gigil meaning, Ikstuarpok meaning, japanese words not in english, jayus meaning, Kummerspeck meaning, L’espirit de l’escalier meaning, Murr-ma meaning, norwegian words not in english, Oxford English Dictionary, parks and recreation Schlimazel, Roald Dahl BFG language, Roald Dahl fictional language, Roald Dahl Gobblefunk, Roald Dahl made up words, Schlimazel meaning, Seigneur-terraces meaning, Tartle word meaning, Tingo meaning, using foreign languages in writing, using foreign words in writing, Ya’arburnee meaning
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It’s Time To Retire (The Word Beautiful From Your Vocabulary)
Look at this picture of legendary film starlet, Jean Harlow. I came across it today doing some work for a client and it literally stopped me dead in my tracks. She looks absolutely, well, I’m not sure what the word … Continue reading
Posted in Word of the Day, Writing Tips
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Word Of The Day: Paparazzi [La Dolce Vita]
Have you ever wondered why we call paparazzi, paparazzi? Contrary to what you may think, paparazzi isn’t Italian for intrusive, celebrity photographer. It actually means buzzing insect. While filming La Dolce Vita in Italy, Federico Fellini was inspired … Continue reading
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Mark Twain On Tautologies (He Doesn’t Like Them – Neither Should You)
Noun [from Greek , 'tauto': the same, and 'logos': word/idea] The use of words that merely repeat elements of the meaning already conveyed, as in the sentence Will these supplies be adequate enough? in place of Will these supplies be … Continue reading
Posted in Quote of the Day, Word of the Day, Writing Tips
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Word of the Day: Frisson
frisson \free-SOHN\, noun: A moment of intense excitement; a shudder; an emotional thrill. When’s the last time you experienced frisson? Interestingly enough, frisson doesn’t always come from an exceptional experience. It can be born of the mundane, from the paperback … Continue reading
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Word of the Day: Arsenic
ar·se·nic /n. ˈɑrsənɪk, ˈɑrsnɪk; adj. ɑrˈsɛnɪk/ Show Spelled[n. ahr-suh-nik, ahrs-nik; adj. ahr-sen-ik] Show IPA –noun 1. a grayish-white element having a metallic luster, vaporizing when heated, and forming poisonous compounds. Symbol: As; atomic weight: 74.92; atomic number: 33. 2. a … Continue reading
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Word of the Day: Operation Gratitude
grat·i·tude /ˈgrætɪˌtud, -ˌtyud/ Show Spelled[grat-i-tood, -tyood] Show IPA –noun the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful: He expressed his gratitude to everyone on the staff. o·per·a·tion grat·i·tude a non-profit organization that sends care packages addressed to individual Soldiers, … Continue reading
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Word of the Day: Cornucopia
cor·nu·co·pi·a –noun 1. Classical Mythology . a horn containing food, drink, etc., in endless supply, said to have been a horn of the goat Amalthaea. 2. A representation of this horn, used as a symbol of abundance. 3. An abundant, … Continue reading
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