officious \uh-FISH-us\ adjective
*1 : volunteering one's services where they are neither asked nor needed : meddlesome
2 : informal, unofficial
Example sentence: Jane wanted to help her neighbors, but she was hesitant to offer assistance for fear of being perceived as officious. Virgos are often misunderstood.
Did you know? Don't mistake "officious" for a rare synonym of "official." Both words stem from the Latin noun "officium" (meaning "service" or "office"), but they have very different meanings. When the suffix "-osus" ("full of") was added to "officium," Latin "officiosus" came into being, meaning "eager to serve, help, or perform a duty." When this adjective was borrowed into English in the 16th century as "officious," it carried the same meaning. Early in the 17th century, however, "officious" began taking on a negative sense to describe a person who offers unwanted help. This pejorative sense has driven out the original "eager to help" sense to become the predominant meaning of the word in Modern English. "Officious" can also mean "of an informal or unauthorized nature," but that sense isn't especially common.
30 October 2006
Brightcove
Techcrunch has the following to say.
"High profile video startup Brightcove has launched what it calls the Brightcove Network, its video delivery and monetization service for small video publishers. To date Brightcove’s most visible moves have been in providing web video services for major media companies like Warner Music Group, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and MTV. The new Brightcove Network, however, appears to pull much of that content into what the company has aimed for since its inception in 2004." click title for article
"High profile video startup Brightcove has launched what it calls the Brightcove Network, its video delivery and monetization service for small video publishers. To date Brightcove’s most visible moves have been in providing web video services for major media companies like Warner Music Group, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and MTV. The new Brightcove Network, however, appears to pull much of that content into what the company has aimed for since its inception in 2004." click title for article
28 October 2006
26 October 2006
Word Of The Day
specious \SPEE-shuss\ adjective
1 : having deceptive attraction or allure
*2 : having a false look of truth or genuineness : sophistic
Example sentence: From the get-go Shelly felt that Clark's claim was specious, but he insisted he was telling the truth and she couldn't at first prove otherwise.
Did you know? "Appearances can be deceptive." "Things are not always as they seem." Like these familiar proverbs, the word "specious" attests that English speakers can be a skeptical lot when it comes to trusting outward appearances. "Specious" traces to the Latin word "speciosus," meaning "beautiful" or "plausible," and Middle English speakers used it to mean "visually pleasing." But by the 17th century, "specious" had begun to suggest an attractiveness that was superficial or deceptive, and, subsequently, the word's neutral "pleasing" sense faded into obsolescence.
1 : having deceptive attraction or allure
*2 : having a false look of truth or genuineness : sophistic
Example sentence: From the get-go Shelly felt that Clark's claim was specious, but he insisted he was telling the truth and she couldn't at first prove otherwise.
Did you know? "Appearances can be deceptive." "Things are not always as they seem." Like these familiar proverbs, the word "specious" attests that English speakers can be a skeptical lot when it comes to trusting outward appearances. "Specious" traces to the Latin word "speciosus," meaning "beautiful" or "plausible," and Middle English speakers used it to mean "visually pleasing." But by the 17th century, "specious" had begun to suggest an attractiveness that was superficial or deceptive, and, subsequently, the word's neutral "pleasing" sense faded into obsolescence.
25 October 2006
Word Of The Day
coup de grace \koo-duh-GRAHSS\ noun
1 : a deathblow or death shot administered to end the suffering of one mortally wounded
*2 : a decisive finishing blow, act, or event
Example sentence: Paul's team led throughout the game, but the coup de grace was his three-run homer in the eighth inning.
Did you know? Borrowed directly from French and first appearing in English at the end of the 17th century, "coup de grace" (literally, a "stroke of grace" or "blow of mercy") originally referred to a mercy killing, or the act of putting to death a person or animal who was severely injured and unlikely to recover. (In some contexts the term is used to refer to the final act of executing a convicted criminal.) Less than fifty years later, "coup de grace" had come to mean "an act or event that puts a definite end to something." Other "coup" terms that have made the jump from French to English include "coup de main," for a sudden, forceful attack, and "coup d'etat" for a violent overthrow of a government usually by a small group.
1 : a deathblow or death shot administered to end the suffering of one mortally wounded
*2 : a decisive finishing blow, act, or event
Example sentence: Paul's team led throughout the game, but the coup de grace was his three-run homer in the eighth inning.
Did you know? Borrowed directly from French and first appearing in English at the end of the 17th century, "coup de grace" (literally, a "stroke of grace" or "blow of mercy") originally referred to a mercy killing, or the act of putting to death a person or animal who was severely injured and unlikely to recover. (In some contexts the term is used to refer to the final act of executing a convicted criminal.) Less than fifty years later, "coup de grace" had come to mean "an act or event that puts a definite end to something." Other "coup" terms that have made the jump from French to English include "coup de main," for a sudden, forceful attack, and "coup d'etat" for a violent overthrow of a government usually by a small group.
24 October 2006
23 October 2006
21 October 2006
19 October 2006
Shakespeare coming to a virtual world
By Daniel Terdiman
Three-dimensional digital worlds and the world of William Shakespeare--it's hard to imagine two more disparate universes.
Three-dimensional digital worlds and the world of William Shakespeare--it's hard to imagine two more disparate universes.
But bridging the gap between them is exactly what Edward Castronova, an associate professor of telecommunications at Indiana University and the leading expert on the economies of virtual worlds, is doing.
On Thursday, the MacArthur Foundation is expected to announce a $240,000 grant to Castronova and his team to build "Arden: The World of Shakespeare," a massively multiplayer online game, or MMO, built entirely around the plays of the Bard. click title for article
Word Of The Day
propaedeutic \proh-pih-DOO-tik\ noun : preparatory study or instruction
Example sentence: "Families in state programs that stressed immediate work earned ... more per year than families in states that emphasized job training or education as a propaedeutic to work." (Richard Nadler, _National Review_, November 6, 2000)
Did you know? You don't have to be a walking encyclopedia to use it, but "propaedeutic" does tend to occur mostly in scholarly discussions of learning and education. "I take thinking not to be a source of any moral code or set of ethical principles but a propaedeutic, a preparation for discernment and indeterminate judgment," wrote Dr. Elizabeth Minnich, for example, in _Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning_. "Propaedeutic" might be a "hard" word, but one easy thing to remember about it is that it is closely related to "encyclopedia." "Encyclopedia" is from Greek "paideia," meaning "education," plus "enkyklios," meaning "general." "Propaedeutic" is from Greek "paideuein," meaning "to teach," plus "pro-," which means "before." "Paideia" and "paideuein" both spring from the root "paid-," which means "child."
Example sentence: "Families in state programs that stressed immediate work earned ... more per year than families in states that emphasized job training or education as a propaedeutic to work." (Richard Nadler, _National Review_, November 6, 2000)
Did you know? You don't have to be a walking encyclopedia to use it, but "propaedeutic" does tend to occur mostly in scholarly discussions of learning and education. "I take thinking not to be a source of any moral code or set of ethical principles but a propaedeutic, a preparation for discernment and indeterminate judgment," wrote Dr. Elizabeth Minnich, for example, in _Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning_. "Propaedeutic" might be a "hard" word, but one easy thing to remember about it is that it is closely related to "encyclopedia." "Encyclopedia" is from Greek "paideia," meaning "education," plus "enkyklios," meaning "general." "Propaedeutic" is from Greek "paideuein," meaning "to teach," plus "pro-," which means "before." "Paideia" and "paideuein" both spring from the root "paid-," which means "child."
18 October 2006
Welcome to our family, Jack
My number two niece, Sarah, gave birth to her first child this afternoon. Jack weighed in at a little over 8 pounds with a head full of dark hair with little tips of strawberry blonde. Funny, that is exactly the style Sarah had when she was born. Husband Matt and her mother Vicky were on hand and participated in the process.
Everyone is fine.
Everyone is fine.
Word Of The Day
chaussure \shoh-SEWR\ noun
*1 : footgear
2 plural : shoes
Example sentence: "'I delight in Hessian boots,' said Rebecca. Jos Sedley, who admired his own legs prodigiously, and always wore this ornamental chaussure, was extremely pleased at this remark...." (William Makepeace Thackeray, _Vanity Fair_)
Did you know? What could shoes possibly have in common with a food item made of pizza dough stuffed with cheese and other fillings? Etymologically, quite a bit. Retrace the footprints of both "chaussure" and "calzone" (a word that, like the tasty turnover itself, comes from Italy) and you'll arrive at the Latin word "calceus," meaning "shoe." "Calzone" is the singular of "calzoni," which means "pants" (someone must have seen a similarity between the food and the clothing item). "Calzoni" in turn comes from "calza," which means "stocking" and descends ultimately from the Latin "calceus." "Chaussure" made its way to English via Anglo-French rather than Italian (and goes back to an Old French verb meaning "to put on footwear"), but it too can be traced to "calceus."
*1 : footgear
2 plural : shoes
Example sentence: "'I delight in Hessian boots,' said Rebecca. Jos Sedley, who admired his own legs prodigiously, and always wore this ornamental chaussure, was extremely pleased at this remark...." (William Makepeace Thackeray, _Vanity Fair_)
Did you know? What could shoes possibly have in common with a food item made of pizza dough stuffed with cheese and other fillings? Etymologically, quite a bit. Retrace the footprints of both "chaussure" and "calzone" (a word that, like the tasty turnover itself, comes from Italy) and you'll arrive at the Latin word "calceus," meaning "shoe." "Calzone" is the singular of "calzoni," which means "pants" (someone must have seen a similarity between the food and the clothing item). "Calzoni" in turn comes from "calza," which means "stocking" and descends ultimately from the Latin "calceus." "Chaussure" made its way to English via Anglo-French rather than Italian (and goes back to an Old French verb meaning "to put on footwear"), but it too can be traced to "calceus."
16 October 2006
Building A Ramp
Here is a good site with excellent information on building a wheelchair ramp. May you never have to use it. click title
Word Of The Day
antonomasia \an-tuh-noh-MAY-zhuh\ noun : the use of a proper name to designate a member of a class (as a Solomon for a wise ruler); also : the use of an epithet or title in place of a proper name (as the Bard for Shakespeare)
Example sentence: "It's antonomasia when you refer to the mayor as His Honor or to Babe Ruth as the Sultan of Swat." (Michael Gartner, _Newsday_ [New York], July 3, 1988)
Did you know? What's in a name? When it comes to "antonomasia," quite a bit. English speakers picked up that appellative term from Latin, but it traces back to Greek, descending from the verb "antonomazein," meaning "to call by a new name," which itself developed from the Greek noun "onoma," meaning "name." You may already be familiar with some other English "onoma" descendants, such as "onomatopoeia" (the naming of something in imitation of the sound associated with it), "polyonymous" (having multiple names), and "toponymy" (the place-names of a region). "Antonomasia" has been naming names in English since the mid-16th century.
Example sentence: "It's antonomasia when you refer to the mayor as His Honor or to Babe Ruth as the Sultan of Swat." (Michael Gartner, _Newsday_ [New York], July 3, 1988)
Did you know? What's in a name? When it comes to "antonomasia," quite a bit. English speakers picked up that appellative term from Latin, but it traces back to Greek, descending from the verb "antonomazein," meaning "to call by a new name," which itself developed from the Greek noun "onoma," meaning "name." You may already be familiar with some other English "onoma" descendants, such as "onomatopoeia" (the naming of something in imitation of the sound associated with it), "polyonymous" (having multiple names), and "toponymy" (the place-names of a region). "Antonomasia" has been naming names in English since the mid-16th century.
15 October 2006
Word Of The Day
bowdlerize \BOUD-ler-ize\ verb
1 : to expurgate by omitting or modifying parts considered vulgar
*2 : to modify by abridging, simplifying, or distorting in style or content
Example sentence: The new regime bowdlerized history books, deleting all mention of the leaders of the resistance.
Did you know? Few editors have achieved the notoriety of Thomas Bowdler. Bowdler was trained as a physician, but when illness prevented him from practicing medicine, he turned to warning Europeans about unsanitary conditions at French watering places. He then carried his quest for purification to literature, and in 1818 he published his _Family Shakspeare_ [sic], a work in which he promised that "those words and expressions are omitted which cannot with propriety be read aloud in a family." The sanitized volume was popular with the public of the day, but literary critics denounced his modifications of the words of the Bard. Bowdler applied his literary eraser broadly, and within 11 years of his death in 1825, the word "bowdlerize" was being used to refer to expurgating books or other texts.
1 : to expurgate by omitting or modifying parts considered vulgar
*2 : to modify by abridging, simplifying, or distorting in style or content
Example sentence: The new regime bowdlerized history books, deleting all mention of the leaders of the resistance.
Did you know? Few editors have achieved the notoriety of Thomas Bowdler. Bowdler was trained as a physician, but when illness prevented him from practicing medicine, he turned to warning Europeans about unsanitary conditions at French watering places. He then carried his quest for purification to literature, and in 1818 he published his _Family Shakspeare_ [sic], a work in which he promised that "those words and expressions are omitted which cannot with propriety be read aloud in a family." The sanitized volume was popular with the public of the day, but literary critics denounced his modifications of the words of the Bard. Bowdler applied his literary eraser broadly, and within 11 years of his death in 1825, the word "bowdlerize" was being used to refer to expurgating books or other texts.
14 October 2006
Word Of The Day
syncretic \sin-KRET-ik\ adjective : characterized or brought about by the combination of different forms of belief or practice
Example sentence: Dr. Portman practices a syncretic form of medicine, borrowing from both Eastern and Western medical traditions.
Did you know? "Syncretic" has its roots in an ancient alliance. It's a descendant of the Greek word "synkretismos," meaning "federation of Cretan cities" -- "syn-" means "together, with," and "Kret-" means "Cretan." The adjective first appeared in English in the mid-19th century, and the related noun "syncretism" debuted over 200 years earlier. "Syncretic" retains the idea of coalition and appears in such contexts as "syncretic religions," "syncretic societies," and even "syncretic music," all describing things influenced by two or more styles or traditions. The word also has a specific application in linguistics, where it refers to a fusion of grammatical forms.
Example sentence: Dr. Portman practices a syncretic form of medicine, borrowing from both Eastern and Western medical traditions.
Did you know? "Syncretic" has its roots in an ancient alliance. It's a descendant of the Greek word "synkretismos," meaning "federation of Cretan cities" -- "syn-" means "together, with," and "Kret-" means "Cretan." The adjective first appeared in English in the mid-19th century, and the related noun "syncretism" debuted over 200 years earlier. "Syncretic" retains the idea of coalition and appears in such contexts as "syncretic religions," "syncretic societies," and even "syncretic music," all describing things influenced by two or more styles or traditions. The word also has a specific application in linguistics, where it refers to a fusion of grammatical forms.
13 October 2006
Word Of The Day
huckster \HUCK-ster\ noun
*1 : hawker, peddler
2 : one who produces promotional material for commercial clients especially for radio or television
Example sentence: It was said that Martin was such a clever huckster that he could even sell snow shovels to sunbathers in the summertime.
Did you know? Hawkers, peddlers, and hucksters have been selling things out of the back of wagons, in narrow alleys, and on the fringes of towns for years (though nowadays, they're more likely to plug their wares on television or the Internet). Of those three words -- "hawker," "peddler," or "huckster" -- the one that has been around the longest in English is "huckster." It has been with us for over 800 years, and it derives from the Middle Dutch word "hokester," which in turn comes from the verb "hoeken," meaning "to peddle." "Peddler" (or "pedlar") was first attested in the 14th century, and this sense of "hawker" has only been appearing in English texts since the early 1500s.
*1 : hawker, peddler
2 : one who produces promotional material for commercial clients especially for radio or television
Example sentence: It was said that Martin was such a clever huckster that he could even sell snow shovels to sunbathers in the summertime.
Did you know? Hawkers, peddlers, and hucksters have been selling things out of the back of wagons, in narrow alleys, and on the fringes of towns for years (though nowadays, they're more likely to plug their wares on television or the Internet). Of those three words -- "hawker," "peddler," or "huckster" -- the one that has been around the longest in English is "huckster." It has been with us for over 800 years, and it derives from the Middle Dutch word "hokester," which in turn comes from the verb "hoeken," meaning "to peddle." "Peddler" (or "pedlar") was first attested in the 14th century, and this sense of "hawker" has only been appearing in English texts since the early 1500s.
12 October 2006
High-net-worth Terminology
When bankers talk about the mega-rich, here are the terms they use (and they do exclude the value of the person's home):
- A pentamillionaire is someone with a net worth of $5 million.
- A decamillionaire is someone with a net worth $10 million.
- A hectamillionaire is someone with a net worth of $100 million, although most refer to them as Ultra-High-Net-Worth (UHNW).
click title to read article
Word Of The Day
gnomic \NOH-mik\ adjective
*1 : characterized by aphorism
2 : given to the composition of aphoristic writing
Example sentence: The poet Emily Dickinson, who wrote "Tell all the Truth but tell it slant," is known for her highly individualistic, gnomic style.
Did you know? A gnome is an aphorism -- that is, an observation or sentiment reduced to the form of a saying. Gnomes are sometimes couched in metaphorical or figurative language, they are often quite clever, and they are always concise. We borrowed the word "gnome" in the 16th century from the Greeks, who based their "gnome" on the verb "gignoskein," meaning "to know." (That other "gnome" -- the dwarf of folklore -- comes from New Latin and is unrelated to today's word.) We began using "gnomic," the adjective form of "gnome," in the early 19th century. It describes a style of writing (or sometimes speech) characterized by pithy phrases, which are often terse to the point of mysteriousness.
*1 : characterized by aphorism
2 : given to the composition of aphoristic writing
Example sentence: The poet Emily Dickinson, who wrote "Tell all the Truth but tell it slant," is known for her highly individualistic, gnomic style.
Did you know? A gnome is an aphorism -- that is, an observation or sentiment reduced to the form of a saying. Gnomes are sometimes couched in metaphorical or figurative language, they are often quite clever, and they are always concise. We borrowed the word "gnome" in the 16th century from the Greeks, who based their "gnome" on the verb "gignoskein," meaning "to know." (That other "gnome" -- the dwarf of folklore -- comes from New Latin and is unrelated to today's word.) We began using "gnomic," the adjective form of "gnome," in the early 19th century. It describes a style of writing (or sometimes speech) characterized by pithy phrases, which are often terse to the point of mysteriousness.
11 October 2006
10 October 2006
The Word of the Day
recusant \REK-yuh-zunt\ adjective : refusing to submit to authority
Example sentence: Several recusant senators refused to vote along party lines.
Did you know? In 1534, Henry VIII of England declared himself the head of the Church of England, separating it from the Roman Catholic Church, and the resultant furor led to increased attention focused on people's religious observances. A "recusant" was someone who (from about 1570-1791) refused to attend services of the Church of England, and therefore violated the laws of mandatory church attendance. The word derives from the Latin verb "recusare," meaning "reject" or "oppose." The adjective "recusant" has been in use since the early 17th century. Originally, it meant "refusing to attend the services of the Church of England," but by the century's end, both the adjective and the noun were also being used generally to suggest resistance to authority of any form.
Example sentence: Several recusant senators refused to vote along party lines.
Did you know? In 1534, Henry VIII of England declared himself the head of the Church of England, separating it from the Roman Catholic Church, and the resultant furor led to increased attention focused on people's religious observances. A "recusant" was someone who (from about 1570-1791) refused to attend services of the Church of England, and therefore violated the laws of mandatory church attendance. The word derives from the Latin verb "recusare," meaning "reject" or "oppose." The adjective "recusant" has been in use since the early 17th century. Originally, it meant "refusing to attend the services of the Church of England," but by the century's end, both the adjective and the noun were also being used generally to suggest resistance to authority of any form.
Duh
Here is what my horoscope says for today. Tell me how this is any different from any other day for any Virgo.
"You may have to take care of others at work today, but the real pressure is probably coming from within. Additional responsibilities may stack up later, so it's important that you don't sidestep current obligations. You might be tempted to avoid your chores and could talk your way out of them. Unfortunately, escape is not a viable option now."
This is why Virgo is the stainless steel backbone of the universe.
"You may have to take care of others at work today, but the real pressure is probably coming from within. Additional responsibilities may stack up later, so it's important that you don't sidestep current obligations. You might be tempted to avoid your chores and could talk your way out of them. Unfortunately, escape is not a viable option now."
This is why Virgo is the stainless steel backbone of the universe.
09 October 2006
Talking to the Dragon
Here I am trying to coerce this software into understanding what I am saying. I have lost count of how many times I had to repeat that sentence before it would actually type anything resembling what I said.Of course having dogs barking and cats meowing in the background does not help much.
From today's Star Tribune
"October 09, 2006 – 9:26 AM Temperatures over the next few days should get steadily cooler and on Wednesday morning there is the possibility of rain and snow -- yes, snow --in time for rush hour in the Twin Cities." bastards
Monday Morning
This is my favorite time. Monday morning represents a fresh start, a brand-new beginning. Anything can happen. Anything at all. I understand why most people like Friday evenings. The end of the workweek calls for celebration and relaxation. Another deadline has been met; another bullet has been dodged. Go drink a beer.
But it turns out I am essentially a worker. I need something to occupy my mind, to make me feel useful. It is nice if I get paid but it's not necessary. The acquisition of money is not what I am about. I am about learning, growing, sharing, contributing.
Makes retirement hard.
But it turns out I am essentially a worker. I need something to occupy my mind, to make me feel useful. It is nice if I get paid but it's not necessary. The acquisition of money is not what I am about. I am about learning, growing, sharing, contributing.
Makes retirement hard.
The Word of the Day
antipode \AN-tuh-pohd\ noun
1: the parts of the earth diametrically opposite -- usually used in plural
*2 : the exact opposite or contrary
Example sentence: "The 12 USFL teams will play every week from March 6 to July 3, the antipode of the NFL season...." (Geoffrey Colvin, _Fortune_, March 21, 1983)
Did you know? We borrowed the word "antipode" over 600 years ago. It first appeared in a translation of a Latin text as a word designating "men that have their feet against our feet," that is, inhabitants of the opposite side of the globe. The word, which originated in Greek, combines "anti-," meaning "opposite," with the root "pod-," meaning "foot." "Antipode" is no longer used in English as a designation for people, but the notion of the other side of the globe lives on in its current geographical sense. We have come to use the plural term "antipodes" (pronounced \an-TIH-puh-deez\) to refer to Australia and New Zealand because they are on the other side of the earth from Britain.
1: the parts of the earth diametrically opposite -- usually used in plural
*2 : the exact opposite or contrary
Example sentence: "The 12 USFL teams will play every week from March 6 to July 3, the antipode of the NFL season...." (Geoffrey Colvin, _Fortune_, March 21, 1983)
Did you know? We borrowed the word "antipode" over 600 years ago. It first appeared in a translation of a Latin text as a word designating "men that have their feet against our feet," that is, inhabitants of the opposite side of the globe. The word, which originated in Greek, combines "anti-," meaning "opposite," with the root "pod-," meaning "foot." "Antipode" is no longer used in English as a designation for people, but the notion of the other side of the globe lives on in its current geographical sense. We have come to use the plural term "antipodes" (pronounced \an-TIH-puh-deez\) to refer to Australia and New Zealand because they are on the other side of the earth from Britain.
08 October 2006
My New Ramp
Last winter construction on my home included enlarging the back porch and renovating the kitchen. Because of these improvements, the wheelchair ramp was shortened and in turn made steeper. Current construction is the replacement of the ramp. The fellow given the job, Rob, is in my yard right now with a crew of two women, one slightly more butch than the other. I love it. What a great way to spend a Sunday! Better than watching football.
07 October 2006
The Word of the Day
ingurgitate \in-GUR-juh-tayt\ verb : to swallow greedily or in large quantities : guzzle
Example sentence: The kids were so hungry after the ball game that they ingurgitated their fries before I even finished squeezing the ketchup on mine.
Did you know? Most people are familiar with "regurgitate" as a fancy synonym for "throw up," but far fewer know of its rarer antonym "ingurgitate." It's a word as likely to turn up in a spelling bee as in a conversation, but it does see occasional use, both literal (as in "ingurgitating red wine") and figurative (as in "ingurgitating artwork"). "Regurgitate" and "ingurgitate" (as well as "gurgitate," an even rarer synonym of "ingurgitate," and "gorge," meaning "to eat greedily") can be ultimately traced back to the Latin word for "whirlpool," which is "gurges."
Example sentence: The kids were so hungry after the ball game that they ingurgitated their fries before I even finished squeezing the ketchup on mine.
Did you know? Most people are familiar with "regurgitate" as a fancy synonym for "throw up," but far fewer know of its rarer antonym "ingurgitate." It's a word as likely to turn up in a spelling bee as in a conversation, but it does see occasional use, both literal (as in "ingurgitating red wine") and figurative (as in "ingurgitating artwork"). "Regurgitate" and "ingurgitate" (as well as "gurgitate," an even rarer synonym of "ingurgitate," and "gorge," meaning "to eat greedily") can be ultimately traced back to the Latin word for "whirlpool," which is "gurges."
06 October 2006
The Word of the Day
techno-thriller \TEK-noh-thrill-er\ noun : a work of fiction having a high degree of intrigue, adventure, or suspense and a plot that relies on modern technology
Example sentence: The techno-thriller's protagonist, equipped with an arsenal of futuristic weapons, must prevent a terrorist group's strike on the nation's capital.
Did you know? "Techno-thriller" owes a lot to technology. Not only do fictional techno-thrillers include a lot of technology in their plots, the word itself includes the combining form "techno-," which derives from the word "technology." The artistic and literary genre is relatively new and so is the word that describes it; the first documented use of "techno-thriller" dates from 1986.
Example sentence: The techno-thriller's protagonist, equipped with an arsenal of futuristic weapons, must prevent a terrorist group's strike on the nation's capital.
Did you know? "Techno-thriller" owes a lot to technology. Not only do fictional techno-thrillers include a lot of technology in their plots, the word itself includes the combining form "techno-," which derives from the word "technology." The artistic and literary genre is relatively new and so is the word that describes it; the first documented use of "techno-thriller" dates from 1986.
05 October 2006
The Word of the Day
farceur \far-SUR\ noun
1 : joker, wag
*2 : a writer or actor of farce
Example sentence: The movie features a famous farceur trying his hand at a serious role for the first time.
Did you know? You've probably already spotted the "farce" in "farceur." But although "farceur" can now refer to someone who performs or composes farce, it began life in the late 18th century as a word for someone who is simply known for cracking jokes. Appropriately, "farceur" derives via Modern French from the Middle French "farcer," meaning "to joke." If you think of "farce" as a composition of ridiculous humor with a "stuffed" or contrived plot, then it should not surprise you that "farce" originally meant "forcemeat" -- seasoned meat used for a stuffing -- and that both "farce" and "farceur" can be ultimately traced back to the Latin verb "farcire," meaning "to stuff."
1 : joker, wag
*2 : a writer or actor of farce
Example sentence: The movie features a famous farceur trying his hand at a serious role for the first time.
Did you know? You've probably already spotted the "farce" in "farceur." But although "farceur" can now refer to someone who performs or composes farce, it began life in the late 18th century as a word for someone who is simply known for cracking jokes. Appropriately, "farceur" derives via Modern French from the Middle French "farcer," meaning "to joke." If you think of "farce" as a composition of ridiculous humor with a "stuffed" or contrived plot, then it should not surprise you that "farce" originally meant "forcemeat" -- seasoned meat used for a stuffing -- and that both "farce" and "farceur" can be ultimately traced back to the Latin verb "farcire," meaning "to stuff."
04 October 2006
The Word of the Day
nocuous \NAH-kyuh-wus\ adjective : harmful
Example sentence: "Poorly tuned engines can put out up to 800 times the nocuous emissions of properly maintained ones." (PR Newswire, January 7, 1992)
Did you know? You are probably more familiar with the adjective "innocuous," meaning "harmless," than with its antonymous relative "nocuous." Both "nocuous" and "innocuous" have immediate Latin predecessors: "nocuus" and "innocuus." (The latter combines "nocuus" with the negative prefix "in-.") Both words can also be traced back to the Latin verb "nocere," meaning "to harm." Other "nocere" descendants in English include "innocent" and "nocent," which means "harmful." "Nuisance" (which originally meant, and still can mean, "a harm or injury") is a more distant relative. "Nocuous" is one of the less common "nocere" descendants, but it does turn up occasionally.
Example sentence: "Poorly tuned engines can put out up to 800 times the nocuous emissions of properly maintained ones." (PR Newswire, January 7, 1992)
Did you know? You are probably more familiar with the adjective "innocuous," meaning "harmless," than with its antonymous relative "nocuous." Both "nocuous" and "innocuous" have immediate Latin predecessors: "nocuus" and "innocuus." (The latter combines "nocuus" with the negative prefix "in-.") Both words can also be traced back to the Latin verb "nocere," meaning "to harm." Other "nocere" descendants in English include "innocent" and "nocent," which means "harmful." "Nuisance" (which originally meant, and still can mean, "a harm or injury") is a more distant relative. "Nocuous" is one of the less common "nocere" descendants, but it does turn up occasionally.
03 October 2006
The Word of the Day
majuscule \MAJ-uh-skyool\ noun : a large letter (as a capital)
Example sentence: I can always recognize my brother's handwriting at a quick glance based on how elaborately the majuscules are formed and how they dwarf the other letters.
Did you know? "Majuscule" looks like the complement to "minuscule," and the resemblance is no coincidence. "Minuscule" appeared in the early 18th century as a word for a lowercase letter, then later as the word for certain ancient and medieval writing styles which had "small forms." "Minuscule" then acquired a more general adjectival use for anything very small. "Majuscule" is the counterpart to "minuscule" when it comes to letters, but it never developed a broader sense (despite the fact that its Latin ancestor "majusculus" has the broad meaning "rather large"). The adjective "majuscule" also exists (as does "majuscular"). Not surprisingly, the adjective shares the noun's specificity, referring only to large letters or to a style using such letters.
Example sentence: I can always recognize my brother's handwriting at a quick glance based on how elaborately the majuscules are formed and how they dwarf the other letters.
Did you know? "Majuscule" looks like the complement to "minuscule," and the resemblance is no coincidence. "Minuscule" appeared in the early 18th century as a word for a lowercase letter, then later as the word for certain ancient and medieval writing styles which had "small forms." "Minuscule" then acquired a more general adjectival use for anything very small. "Majuscule" is the counterpart to "minuscule" when it comes to letters, but it never developed a broader sense (despite the fact that its Latin ancestor "majusculus" has the broad meaning "rather large"). The adjective "majuscule" also exists (as does "majuscular"). Not surprisingly, the adjective shares the noun's specificity, referring only to large letters or to a style using such letters.
01 October 2006
Whomever You Are, Thanks For Visiting My Little Page
1 Greece Athens, Attiki
2 Unknown Country
3 United States Oakland, California
4 United States Chatsworth, California
5 United Kingdom London, Lambeth
6 United States
7 JapanTakasaki, Gumma
8 United States Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
9 United States Plainville, Connecticut
10 United States
11 United States Plano, Texas
12 United States
13 United States Makinen, Minnesota
14 United States San Jose, California
15 Unknown Country
16 Unknown Country
17 United States
18 United States Chicago, Illinois
19 United States
20 United States Columbia, Missouri
21 Germany
22 United States Washington, District of Columbia
23 United States Pocono Lake, Pennsylvania
24 Canada Halifax, Nova Scotia
25 Philippines Quezon, Nueva Ecija
26 Australia Sydney, New South Wales
27 United States Charleston, South Carolina
28 Greece Athens, Attiki
29 United States Minneapolis, Minnesota
30 United States Clark, New Jersey
31 United States Sunnyvale, California
32 Unknown Country
33 United States Bellingham, Massachusetts
34 United States
35 United States
36 United States
37 United States Illinois
38 Philippines Quezon City
39 Canada Halifax, Nova Scotia
40 United States Minneapolis, Minnesota
41 United States Makinen, Minnesota
42 United Kingdom Milton Keynes
43 United States
44 Canada Chemainus, British Columbia
45 United States
46 Norway Fornebu, Akershus
47 United States Little Rock, Arkansas
48 United States Minneapolis, Minnesota
49 United States
50 Germany
2 Unknown Country
3 United States Oakland, California
4 United States Chatsworth, California
5 United Kingdom London, Lambeth
6 United States
7 JapanTakasaki, Gumma
8 United States Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
9 United States Plainville, Connecticut
10 United States
11 United States Plano, Texas
12 United States
13 United States Makinen, Minnesota
14 United States San Jose, California
15 Unknown Country
16 Unknown Country
17 United States
18 United States Chicago, Illinois
19 United States
20 United States Columbia, Missouri
21 Germany
22 United States Washington, District of Columbia
23 United States Pocono Lake, Pennsylvania
24 Canada Halifax, Nova Scotia
25 Philippines Quezon, Nueva Ecija
26 Australia Sydney, New South Wales
27 United States Charleston, South Carolina
28 Greece Athens, Attiki
29 United States Minneapolis, Minnesota
30 United States Clark, New Jersey
31 United States Sunnyvale, California
32 Unknown Country
33 United States Bellingham, Massachusetts
34 United States
35 United States
36 United States
37 United States Illinois
38 Philippines Quezon City
39 Canada Halifax, Nova Scotia
40 United States Minneapolis, Minnesota
41 United States Makinen, Minnesota
42 United Kingdom Milton Keynes
43 United States
44 Canada Chemainus, British Columbia
45 United States
46 Norway Fornebu, Akershus
47 United States Little Rock, Arkansas
48 United States Minneapolis, Minnesota
49 United States
50 Germany
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