RSS

I made up a new word today!  RSSed!  What do you think?  I was commenting on an organizing blog and I told the blogger that I had already RSSed her.  Well, how else would you have said it?

I love words that mean what they say!  OK- I’ll admit it, I just like new words. And I’ve fallen down on the job of educating you on Wordy Wednesday.  I am going to add that as a task on my ical!  Wordy Wednesday coming  up on the 24th – just you wait and see!  Any suggestions?

Wordy Wednesday 9

Today’s word is avarice. I was sure that I had heard that word in Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s speech on the 24th. I read back through the transcript and found that yes, Ms. Worthy did indeed use the word in describing “the Roman Goddess of Justice (who) is the idealization of the moral force that (SHOULD- my word!) underlie(s) the legal system”. “She is almost always draped in flowing robes, symbolizing the fair and equal administration of the law without corruption, avarice, prejudice, or favor.

I think this was the only word in Ms. Worthy’s speech that I was not sure about. In context, we can assume that it is not a good thing – but what exactly? According to The American Heritage Dictionary, avarice is “An extreme desire for wealth”. Unfortunately, there seems to be a gap between the ideal legal system and the real legal system.

Wordy Wednesday 8

UBIQUITOUS: existing or being everywhere, or in all places, at the same time. Let me give you an example (from Dictionary.com). “Before Tarzan, nobody understood just how big, how ubiquitous, how marketable a star could be.” John Taliaferro, Tarzan Forever
Here’s one from real life…. In my house, whining about school is, unfortunately, a ubiquitous problem.

What is ubiquitous in your life?

Wordy Wednesday 7

For all one of you who were waiting anxiously for this Wordy Wednesday, I apologize. I posted it last night, double checked it, and went to bed. This morning it was not there! So sorry – here it is.

Did you all see the lunar eclipse tonight? It was pretty cool. Jim doesn’t understand why I get so excited – but I do! Do you think things like that are tres extraordinaire? (to quote Eloise)

So what does the word eclipse mean?

An eclipse is the obscuration of the light of the moon by the intervention of the earth between it and the sun (lunar eclipse) or the obscuration of the light of the sun by the intervention of the moon between it and a point on the earth (solar eclipse). (Get your dictionaries out) It also can refer to a similar phenomenon with respect to any other planet and either its satellite or the sun. It can also refer to any other planets and their satellites, or the sun. Other stars can have eclipses as well.

There is another use for this word that does not directly refer to astronomy. An eclipse can be a reduction or loss of splendor, status, reputation, etc. “Illness caused the eclipse of his career” would be one way to use it. It can also be used as a verb. To eclipse is to make less outstanding or important by comparison, surpass. “His great success eclipsed his brother’s achievements.” Come up with some more NON astronomy uses (noun or verb) for the word eclipse.

Wordy Wednesday 6

“He is a class -A kvetch when it comes to Michigan’s weather.” To whom am I referring???? That’s not the point What is a kvetch? A kvetch is a complaint or a habitual complainer. It can also be used as a verb, as in – “She kvetched about the noise level of the TV”.

What do you kvetch about? Come on readers!  Think!  Use a new word!

Wordy Wednesday 5

Erudite is the opposite (in a manner of speaking) of rude! To be erudite is to have great knowledge. So if your college professor shows great knowledge of his subject (which you would think they all would), he would be an erudite professor. According to Reference.com, an erudite person has both deep and broad familiarity with a certain subject, often gained through study and extensive reading of the subject’s literature rather than formal scholarship.

To be rude is to be untrained, untaught and therefore behaving in an unacceptable way. The etomology of the word is Latin in origin. The Latin rudis means unlearned, untrained. The word rudiments/rudimentary is also related. Rudiments are the elements or first principles of a subject- as in the rudiment of grammar.

In what subject, would you like to be erudite?

Wordy Wednesday 4

My children are ebullient when they realize that it is Waffleday – otherwise known as Saturday.

Ebullient is another one of those words that I’m drawn to because of the way it sounds! Bubbly would define it in one word- but that sounds like a 16 year old cheerleader! It is so much more than that! The official dictionary.com definition is: overflowing with fervor, enthusiasm, or excitement; high-spirited. Also, bubbling up like a boiling liquid. Other definitions – zestfully enthusiastic – joyously unrestrained.

So, how would YOU use it in a sentence?

Pali-what?

I know it’s not Wordy Wednesday….but I need some brain food. Please send me your favorite palindromes. ( A word, phrase, sentence, or verse that reads the same backward or forward.)

Do you remember when you/your kids first realized that Mom and Dad were the same spelled forward and backward? You/They thought that was SOOOO cool.

Here’s a sentence to get you started! Madam, I’m Adam. (Adam’s first words to Eve?) I’m expecting great things from you!

EDIT: This one’s for Anna B:)  (Laynie girl – make sure you show her this!!) Anna: “Did Otto peep?” Otto: “Did Anna?”

Un-Wordy Wednesday

I don’t really have a word for you today yesterday.  Upheaval is a word that comes to mind.  With my FIL declining so quickly, life is a little crazy right now. The drive up to Davison is not a short jaunt. ( I think it seems even worse in my mind because of my wild fog ride.) If we go, it is usually for the day, and often overnight.  Jim and James are there now.  Continue to pray for the family – especially as they are all doing a lot of driving.

Also pray for the family of  a lady named Jen.  She has spinal cancer and is in the end stage- very near the end.  She has two small children who have just learned that their mommy isn’t going to live much longer.  As far as I know, Jen is a believer.

Wordy Wednesday 3

Please forgive me for skipping a Wednesday! Our word for the day is gratuitous. Adam Savage of Mythbusters used it today. I thought the definition was ‘extra’. And it is – sort of.

1. given, done, bestowed, or obtained without charge or payment; free; voluntary. 2. being without apparent reason, cause, or justification. Synonyms – unneccessary, superfluous, redundant, careless, unreasonable, groundless, unprovoked, unjustified.

Jonathan made me use this in a sentence last night. His gratuitous insult flabbergasted me. Here’s another one: The school’s gratuitous testing program drew complaints from the students.