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 • “Dop​pelgäng​er” 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 “Dop​pelgäng​er” 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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