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Jun 27, 2011
This week's themeEponyms This week's words jeeves thrasonical barmecidal man Friday micawber 
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A.Word.A.Day
with Anu GargHave you ever read a novel so well-written that the characters came alive? This week's words are about those fictional men and women who have walked off the pages of their books and entered the dictionary. Perhaps it's a testament to the genius of the authors that their imaginary creations are now part of the living language. Let's meet five of these words, also known as eponyms, this week. Jeeves
PRONUNCIATION:
(jeevz)
MEANING:
noun: A personal servant, especially one who is resourceful and reliable.
ETYMOLOGY:
After Reginald Jeeves, a valet in the stories by P.G. Wodehouse. Jeeves
first made his appearance in a short story in 1915. Earliest documented
example of the word used allusively: 1952.
USAGE:
"When you've got a billion dollars at your disposal, and a Jeeves to take
care of your travel arrangements, nothing untoward is going to happen to
you."Nicholas Barber; The Bucket List; The Independent (London, UK); Feb 17, 2008. A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Writing, when properly managed, (as you may be sure I think mine is) is but a different name for conversation. -Laurence Sterne, novelist and clergyman (1713-1768)
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