Word Wednesday
Word Wednesday – “Rictus”
Word Wednesday • “Rictus” is my word for WordWednesday. Definition: • Noun: A gaping grin or grimace, a gape of a bird’s mouth, or the mouth orifice Pronunciation • Pronunciation – RIK-tus Usage • Sometimes their “Rictus” expressed happiness and some times it showed shock. Closing Thought and History I think we all prefer an individual’s smile…
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Word Wednesday -“Febrile”
Word Wednesday • “Febrile” is my word for WordWednesday. Definition: • Adjective: marked or caused by fever or feverish Pronunciation • Pronunciation – FEB-ryle Usage • When a child or adult has a “Febrile” feeling, it is a sure sign that they are sick. Closing Thought and History Not too surprisingly, febrile originated in the field of…
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Word Wednesday – “Doppelgänger”
Word Wednesday • “Doppelgänger” is my word for WordWednesday. Definition: • Noun: A ghostly double of a living person or two people who physically resemble each other very much. Pronunciation • Pronunciation – dop·pel·gäng·er , ˈdä-pəl-ˌgaŋ-ər , -ˌgeŋ-, dä-pəl-ˈgaŋ-, -ˈgeŋ- er, doppelganger Usage • Seeing my “Doppelgänger” on TV in the documentary about the Wizard of Oz, was extraordinary! Closing Thought and History • During the documentary…
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Word Wednesday – “Pugilismplay”
Word Wednesday • “Pugilismplay” is my word for WordWednesday. Definition: • Noun: Boxing Pronunciation • PYOO-juh-liz-um-play Usage • “Pugilismplay” is a sport that some people think is violent. Closing Thought and History • “Pugilismplay” has been a sport for centuries! • The sport of boxing had its Olympic initiation more than 2,500 years ago in the 23rd…
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Word Wednesday – Insouciance
Word Wednesday • “Insouciance” is my word for WordWednesday. Definition: • Noun: Lighthearted, unconcern, or nonchalance Pronunciation • Pronunciation – in-SOO-see-unss Usage • Some people are “Insouciance” about climate change. Closing Thought and History • It is essential to not present an attitude of “Insouciance” when interviewing for a job. • English speakers learned insouciance (as well as…
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Word Wednesday – Williwaw
Word Wednesday • “Williwaw” is my word for WordWednesday. Definition: • Noun: A sudden and violent gust of cold wind or a intense commotion Pronunciation • Pronunciation – WILL-ih-waw Usage • If I am in a “Williwaw” I find it very disconcerting. Closing Question – Interesting History Does a “Williwaw” make you uncomfortable? In 1900, Captain Joshua Slocum…
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Word Wednesday – Cognoscente
Word Wednesday • “Cognoscente” is my word for WordWednesday. Definition: • Noun: A connoisseur or person who has expert knowledge in a subject, a discerning individual. Pronunciation • Pronunciation – kahn-yuh-SHEN-tee Usage • She was a “Cognoscente” of good wine and good food. Closing Question – Interesting History Do you think of yourself as at “Cognoscente”? The word…
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Word Wednesday – Organoleptic
Word Wednesday • “Organoleptic” is my word for WordWednesday. Definition: • Adjective: Affecting to taste, color, odor, and feel of foods or substances, which relates to stimulating your sense organs. Pronunciation • Pronunciation – or-guh-noh-LEP-tik Usage • The restaurant set up an “Organoleptic” buffet for their Sunday brunch. Closing Thought – Interesting History When you prepare you meals…
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Word Wednesday – Megillah
Word Wednesday • “Megillah” is my word for WordWednesday. Definition: • Noun: Scroll, volume, long story, referenced in the Book of Esther, which is read aloud at the festive Jewish holiday of Purim. • Slang: An elaborate, complicated production or sequence of events. Pronunciation • Pronunciation – Mĕgillāh/ muh-GHIL-uh Usage • Last week, we celebrated joyful holiday of…
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Word Wednesday – Prothalamion
Word Wednesday • “Prothalamion” is my word for WordWednesday. Definition: • Noun: A song in celebration of a marriage Pronunciation • Pronunciation – proh-thuh-LAY-mee-un Usage • The wedding couple selected their favorite song as a “Prothalamion” for their first dance. Closing Thought – Interesting History • In 1595, the newly-wed Edmund Spenser wrote a poem to his young bride.…
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Word Wednesday – Feckless
Word Wednesday • “Feckless” is my word for WordWednesday. Definition • Adjective: Lacking initiative or strength of character; irresponsible, having no real value or use. Pronunciation • Pronunciation – FECK-lus Usage • “Feckless” individuals in politics, the workplace and/or community committees create stress and chaos. Closing Thought • Think about how you have dealt with “Feckless” individuals? …
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Word Wednesday – “Antediluvian”
Word Wednesday • “Antediluvian” is my word for WordWednesday. Definition • Adjective: Relating to the period before the flood described in the Bible, evolved, or developed a long time ago, extremely primitive, or outmoded. Pronunciation • Pronunciation – an-tih-dih-LOO-vee-un Usage • Some people think of Iris Apfel as “Antediluvian” fashion icon, who is 99.5 years of age and…
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