A.Word.A.Day Archives from https://wordsmith.org/awad -------- Date: Mon Feb 2 00:59:09 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--propinquity X-Bonus: Laughter and tears are meant to turn the wheels of the same machinery of sensibility; one is wind-power, and the other water-power. -Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., poet, novelist, essayist, and physician (1809-1894) Next week is a big anniversary day. Feb 12 this year marks the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth. On the same day, across the pond, Charles Darwin was born. And that's not all. This year is also the sesquicentennial of the publication of his book, The Origin of Species. You'd think 150 years is ample time for people to understand evolution, but some still claim it's "only" a theory. Perhaps they still believe that the earth is flat and the sun goes around the earth. We'll celebrate the three anniversaries by selecting words from Lincoln's and Darwin's writing and speeches. propinquity (pro-PING-kwi-tee) noun Nearness in space, time or relationship. [From Latin propinquitas (nearness), from prope (near).] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "I believe that ... propinquity of descent, -- the only known cause of the similarity of organic beings, -- is the bond, hidden as it is by various degrees of modification, which is partially revealed to us by our classifications." Charles Darwin; On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection; 1859. -------- Date: Tue Feb 3 00:01:08 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--conduce X-Bonus: A lawn is nature under totalitarian rule. -Michael Pollan, author, journalism professor (b. 1955) This week's theme: Words from Darwin and Lincoln conduce (kuhn-DOOS, -DYOOS) verb intr. To lead to or contribute to a particular result. [From Latin conducere (to lead, bring together), from com- (together) + ducere (to lead). Ultimately from the Indo-European root deuk- (to lead) that led to other words such as duke, conduct, educate, duct, wanton, and tug.] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "We find ourselves under the government of a system of political institutions, conducing more essentially to the ends of civil and religious liberty, than any of which the history of former times tells us." Abraham Lincoln; Lyceum Address; Jan 27, 1838. -------- Date: Wed Feb 4 00:01:09 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--interdict X-Bonus: As the pain that can be told is but half a pain, so the pity that questions has little healing in its touch. -Edith Wharton, novelist (1862-1937) This week's theme: Words from Darwin and Lincoln interdict (noun: IN-tuhr-dikt, verb: in-tuhr-DIKT) noun: A prohibition, especially a formal one, as by a court, church, etc. verb tr.: To prohibit or stop. [From Latin interdictum (prohibition), from interdicere (to prohibit), from dicere (to speak). Ultimately from the Indo-European root deik- (to show, to pronounce solemnly) that is also the source of other words such as judge, verdict, vendetta, revenge, indicate, dictate, and paradigm.] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "In China, near Shanghai, the inhabitants of two small districts have the privilege of raising eggs for the whole surrounding country, and that they may give up their whole time to this business, they are interdicted by law from producing silk." Charles Darwin; The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication; 1868. -------- Date: Thu Feb 5 00:01:22 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--sanguine X-Bonus: Each morning puts a man on trial and each evening passes judgment. -Roy L. Smith This week's theme: Words from Darwin and Lincoln sanguine (SANG-gwin) adjective 1. Cheerfully optimistic or confident. 2. Having a healthy reddish color. 3. Blood-red. [From Old French sanguin, from Latin sanguineus (bloody), from sanguis (blood).] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "Still, let us not be over-sanguine of a speedy final triumph. Let us be quite sober." Abraham Lincoln; Letter to James C. Conkling; Aug 26, 1863. -------- Date: Fri Feb 6 00:01:10 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--irascible X-Bonus: Myth: we have to save the earth. Frankly, the earth doesn't need to be saved. Nature doesn't give a hoot if human beings are here or not. The planet has survived cataclysmic and catastrophic changes for millions upon millions of years. Over that time, it is widely believed, 99 percent of all species have come and gone while the planet has remained. Saving the environment is really about saving our environment - making it safe for ourselves, our children, and the world as we know it. If more people saw the issue as one of saving themselves, we would probably see increased motivation and commitment to actually do so. -Robert M. Lilienfeld, management consultant and author (b. 1953) and William L. Rathje, archaeologist and author (b. 1945) This week's theme: Words from Darwin and Lincoln irascible (i-RAS-uh-buhl) adjective 1. Quick-tempered. 2. Showing anger or resulting from anger. [From Latin irascibilis (quick to anger), from irasci (to grow angry), from ira (anger). Ultimately from the Indo-European root eis- (passion), which is also the source of irate, ire, hierarchy, hieroglyphic, and estrogen.] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "Mr. Weir concludes from his large experience that the erection of the feathers is caused much more by anger than by fear. He gives as an instance a hybrid goldfinch of a most irascible disposition, which when approached too closely by a servant, instantly assumes the appearance of a ball of ruffled feathers." Charles Darwin; The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals; 1872. -------- Date: Mon Feb 9 00:26:09 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--columbarium X-Bonus: Whatever a man prays for, he prays for a miracle. Every prayer reduces itself to this: Great God, grant that twice two be not four. -Ivan Turgenev, novelist and playwright (1818-1883) Birds don't get any respect. Beginning with "bird brain" that paints all birds with the same brush, the English language is littered with expressions that defame our feathered friends. Individual birds have their own problems in the language. If you call someone chicken, you imply he is cowardly; someone labeled a peacock is vain. Naming a person a magpie means she is talkative or a hoarder, and a jay is a gullible person. A rooster is the inspiration behind the word cocky, then there are sitting duck, dodo, dotterel... The list is endless. Not so fast. Birds are smarter than you think. Take a look at these videos, for example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3qXbwYgh7w&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYZnsO2ZgWo&feature=related This week we'll discuss five words derived from birds, though their avian connections are not always so obvious. columbarium (kol-uhm-BAR-ee-uhm) noun, plural columbaria 1. A vault with niches for storing urns. 2. A dovecote or pigeon house. [From Latin columbarium, from columba (pigeon, dove).] A columbarium at the Chapel of the Chimes, Oakland, California: https://wordsmith.org/words/images/columbarium_large.jpg [Photo: Lori Matsumoto] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "The group's [Americans United for Separation of Church and State] director, Rev. Barry Lynn, says the Berkeley proposal should be 'promptly laid to rest', by allowing places for unbelievers' ashes, either in a columbarium or privately held -- like ashes in a box on your mantel.' Otherwise, it's ashes to ashes, dust to dust -- but not to Berkeley." Unbelievers' Ashes May Be Unwelcome in Berkeley; USA Today; Jan 29, 2009. -------- Date: Tue Feb 10 00:01:10 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--pied X-Bonus: It is not how old you are, but how you are old. -Jules Renard, writer (1864-1910) This week's theme: Words derived from birds pied (rhymes with pride) adjective Having patches of two or more colors; multicolored. [From pie (magpie), referring to a magpie's black and white plumage, from Latin pica (jay or magpie). The Pied Piper of legend owes his moniker to his multicolored attire.] Detail of a watercolor painting of the Pied Piper made from the glass window of the Market Church in Hameln/Hamelin in Germany: https://wordsmith.org/words/images/pied.jpg [Source: Wikipedia] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "The pair of women came first, one strangely dressed, in pied clothes of three or four eras." Michael Chabon; The Mysteries of Pittsburgh; William Morrow; 1988. -------- Date: Wed Feb 11 00:01:16 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--roustabout X-Bonus: I believe I have no prejudices whatsoever. All I need to know is that a man is a member of the human race. That's bad enough for me. -Mark Twain, author and humorist (1835-1910) This week's theme: Words derived from birds roustabout (ROUST-uh-bout) noun A casual or unskilled laborer, especially on an oil rig. [From roust, perhaps an alteration of rouse (to shake feathers, as of a hawk).] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "But Smith has made it, for 18 years, starting as a roustabout in Long Beach and working his way up to lead operator overseeing the daily workings of Platform B off Santa Barbara's coast." Zeke Barlow; Platform Workers At Peace With Long Hours, Workweek; Ventura County Star (California); Feb 1, 2009. -------- Date: Thu Feb 12 00:01:12 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--crestfallen X-Bonus: The difference in mind between man and the higher animals, great as it is, certainly is one of degree and not of kind. -Charles Darwin, naturalist and author (1809-1882) This week's theme: Words derived from birds crestfallen (KREST-fo-luhn) adjective Dispirited or disappointed by having one's hopes dashed. [From allusion to the drooping crest or comb of a bird, such as a rooster. From Latin crista (tuft).] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "With hands over her heart, Tatiana looked crestfallen. Some of us felt our hearts breaking because she was a really pretty girl." American Idol: Frisky Frisco; The New Straits Times (Malaysia); Jan 23, 2009. -------- Date: Fri Feb 13 00:01:09 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--canard X-Bonus: Knowing what / Thou knowest not / Is in a sense / Omniscience. -Piet Hein, poet and scientist (1905-1996) This week's theme: Words derived from birds canard (kuh-NAHRD) noun 1. A deliberately misleading story; hoax. 2. An airplane with small forward wings mounted in front of the main wings; also such a wing. [From French, literally a duck. The term is said to have come from the French expression vendre un canard à moitié (to sell half a duck, or to take in or swindle).] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "Lyndon Johnson's half-truths about the Gulf of Tonkin, supported by subservient media, embroiled the United States in a nasty war that took the lives of millions of souls. Ultimately, the Vietnam War's distortions and canards prevented him from running for a second term." Mansour El-Kikhia; Realists Conquer Politics With Lies; San Antonio Express-News; Nov 28, 2003. -------- Date: Mon Feb 16 00:09:21 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--fool's gold X-Bonus: I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice. -Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. President (1809-1865) My iPod, their condominium, her computer ... In a typical day we talk a lot about possessions: having things. The word possess is from Latin possidere, from potis (having the power) + sedere (to sit). So when you possess something, say a patch of earth, you have the power to sit upon it, literally speaking. The English language has many terms about who has what. Enjoy this week's words that answer "Whose what?" but it's important to remember that the best things in life are not possessed: they are free. We don't say, my ocean, his stars, or their sun. fool's gold (foolz gold) noun Something that appears valuable but is worthless. [Shakespeare wrote in The Merchant of Venice, "All that glisters is not gold." Fool's gold is another name for pyrite, also known as iron pyrite or iron sulfide. Its shiny yellow luster has many fooled into believing they have struck gold while holding a mineral of little value. The name pyrite is from Greek pyrites (of fire), from pyr (fire) because it produces sparks when struck against a hard surface. Some related words are fire, pyre, pyrosis (heartburn), pyromania (an irresistible impulse to set things on fire), and empyreal (relating to the sky or heaven, believed to contain pure light or fire).] Fool's gold: https://wordsmith.org/words/images/fools_gold.gif [Photo: US Geological Survey] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "Although the old rust-belt industries of the 20th century had to go, Britain turned its back on industry rather too readily. We were bedazzled by financial services: fool's gold from the City." Matthew Parris; There's No New Motor to Drive the Economy; The Times (London, UK); Jan 24, 2009. -------- Date: Tue Feb 17 00:09:18 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--sword of damocles X-Bonus: Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. -Eleanor Roosevelt, diplomat and author (1884-1962) This week's theme: Whose what? sword of Damocles (sord uhv DAM-uh-kleez) noun An ever-present threat; an impending disaster. [After Damocles of Greek legend. Damocles was a courtier who flattered the ruler Dionysius, tyrant of Syracuse, to excess. The fulsome praise so annoyed the king that he decided to teach him a lesson. He held a banquet in honor of Damocles but when Damocles saw the sword hanging by a single horse-hair over his head, he lost all taste for the lavish feast. He realized that even those who appear to enjoy great fortune face fears and worries. By the way, the word impending literally means hanging over.] The Sword of Damocles, an oil painting by Richard Westall https://wordsmith.org/words/images/sword_of_damocles_large.jpg [Photo: Ackland Art Museum] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "Roth said, 'The threat of an audit ... looms like the sword of Damocles over the heads of taxpayers.'" IRS Chief Wants to Balance Service, Enforcement; The Advocate (Stamford, Connecticut); Feb 13, 2009. -------- Date: Wed Feb 18 00:09:15 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--mug's game X-Bonus: I died as a mineral and became a plant, I died as plant and rose to animal, I died as animal and I was Man. Why should I fear? When was I less by dying? -Jalaluddin Rumi, poet and mystic (1207-1273) This week's theme: Whose what? mug's game (mugz gaym) noun A foolish or futile activity. [From mug (slang for a fool), from Scandinavian word mugg/mugge (drinking cup). In earlier times drinking cups were adorned with grotesque faces, which resulted in the various senses of the word, nouns (face, dupe, thug) and verbs (to assault, to make faces, to photograph).] Face mugs: https://wordsmith.org/words/images/mugs_game_large.jpg [Photo: Edward Klimek http://flickr.com/photos/jughead1/ ] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "'Because we're dealing with so many unknowns, forecasting is an absolute mug's game at present,' says Westpac chief economist Brendan O'Donovan." Nikki MacDonald; 2009 - What Lies Ahead?; The Dominion Post (Wellington, New Zealand); Jan 22, 2009. -------- Date: Thu Feb 19 00:09:17 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--dog's age X-Bonus: Faith which does not doubt is dead faith. -Miguel de Unamuno, philosopher and writer (1864-1936) This week's theme: Whose what? dog's age (dogz ayj) noun A long time. [Referring to the typical age of a dog: 10-15 years. Also see donkey's years: https://wordsmith.org/words/donkeys_years.html ] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "The current show at Birch Libralato is one of the most concise and gratifying commercial gallery shows to come along in a dog's age." Sarah Milroy; Gratifying Show; Globe and Mail (Toronto, Canada); Nov 16, 2007. -------- Date: Fri Feb 20 00:09:16 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--God's acre X-Bonus: To profess to be doing God's will is a form of megalomania. -Joseph Prescott, aphorist (1913-2001) This week's theme: Whose what? God's acre (godz AY-kuhr) noun A cemetery, especially one next to a church. [Loan translation of German Gottesacker, from Gott (god) + Acker (field). The allusion is that the bodies of the dead are sown in the field in hope of resurrection.] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "Mourning strangers also came to weep anniversary tears at another cheerless God's acre." Frank Keating; Ask Not For Whom the Bell Tolls, It Tolls For These; The Guardian (London, UK); Sep 26, 2006. -------- Date: Mon Feb 23 00:01:09 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--contumacious X-Bonus: Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present. -Samuel Johnson, lexicographer (1709-1784) "Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else." Like all genuine humor, this waggish remark carries a grain of truth. There are six billion of us around, and we are very different - in our demeanor, diction, and dreams; in our fingerprints, retinal patterns, and DNA sequences. Yet, no matter which hand we write with, what language we speak, or what we eat, there is something that binds us all, whether it is our preference for a life free from fear, our efforts to make this world better for us and for others, or our appreciation of beauty of the soul and our longing for love. With so many people, so many shared traits, and so many differences, there's no wonder we have so many words to describe people. This week we look at five of them. contumacious (kon-tuh-MAY-shuhs, -tyoo-) adjective Stubborn, insubordinate. [From Latin contumacia, from contumax, contumac- (insolent).] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "Without the disciplining presence of the two heavyweights, contumacious councillors busied themselves with procedural obstruction and shouting 'corruption' at each other." Tehran's Municipal Politics; The Economist (London, UK); Jan 25, 2003. -------- Date: Tue Feb 24 00:01:08 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--lachrymose X-Bonus: It is one thing to show a man that he is in error, and another to put him in possession of the truth. -John Locke, philosopher (1632-1704) This week's theme: Words to describe people lachrymose (LAK-ruh-mos) adjective 1. Tearful. 2. Relating to or inducing tears. [From Latin lacrima (tear).] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "The lachrymose John Terry then delivered himself of a self-serving open letter to the fans a few days later. ... He wasn't ashamed to admit he had cried and that Wednesday night would haunt him forever." Pat Murphy; Shed No Tears For Chelsea; Birmingham Post (UK); May 27, 2008. -------- Date: Wed Feb 25 00:01:16 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--peripatetic X-Bonus: Our heads are round so that thoughts can change direction. -Francis Picabia, painter and poet (1879-1953) This week's theme: Words to describe people peripatetic (per-uh-puh-TET-ik) adjective 1. Moving or traveling from place to place. 2. Of or related to walking, moving, or traveling. 3. Of or related to Aristotle: his philosophy or his teaching method of conducting discussions while walking about. noun 1. An itinerant 2. A follower of Aristotle. [From Latin peripateticus, from Greek peripatetikos, from peripatein (to walk about, to discourse while pacing as did Aristotle), from peri- (around) + patein (to walk). Ultimately from the Indo-European root pent- (to tread) that also gave us words such as English find, Dutch pad (path), Hindi path (path), French pont (bridge), and Russian sputnik (traveling companion).] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "With his back to goal in a crowded space, the peripatetic Frenchman [Nicolas Anelka] deftly chipped the ball over his shoulder, and into the net for the equalizer." Rob Hughes; Michel Platini Set to Make Plea to Cut Influence of Money in UEFA; International Herald Tribune (Paris, France); Feb 15, 2009. -------- Date: Thu Feb 26 00:01:10 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--obstreperous X-Bonus: The less a statesman amounts to, the more he loves the flag. -Kin Hubbard, humorist (1 Sep 1868-1930) This week's theme: Words to describe people obstreperous (ob-STREP-uhr-uhs) adjective Noisy or unruly. [From Latin obstreperus (clamorous), from ob- (against) + strepere (to make a noise).] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "One email informs me of a friend's trepidation at having to undergo a stress test as recommended by her physician. And she is not referring to the stress associated with the presence of recalcitrant children and an obstreperous spouse." Vanaja Rao; That Sick Feeling; Gulf News (United Arab Emirates); Feb 5, 2009. -------- Date: Fri Feb 27 00:01:25 EST 2009 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--coeval X-Bonus: Only the madman is absolutely sure. -Robert Anton Wilson, novelist (1932-2007) This week's theme: Words to describe people coeval (ko-EE-vuhl) adjective: Having the same age or duration. noun: A contemporary. [From Latin coaevus, from co- (in common) + aevum (age), from Greek aion (age). Ultimately from the Indo-European root aiw-/ayu- (vital force, life, eternity) that is also the source of ever, never, aye, nay, eon, eternal, medieval, primeval, utopia, Sanskrit Ayurveda, and aught https://wordsmith.org/words/aught.html ] -Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) "Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln were born in the same year, on the same day: Feb 12, 1809. ... Instinctively, we want to say that they belong together. It's not just because they were both great men, and not because they happen to be exact coevals. Rather, it's because the scientist and the politician each touched off a revolution that changed the world." Malcolm Jones; Who Was More Important: Lincoln or Darwin?; Newsweek (New York); Jul 7, 2008.