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by Audiendus
Sun Mar 17, 2024 12:02 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Palindrome
Replies: 2
Views: 2981

Re: Palindrome

Palindrome obviously needs a synonym that in itself is palindromic!
A palindromic phrase could be called a wordrow.
by Audiendus
Sun Mar 17, 2024 10:43 am
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: Relevant
Replies: 0
Views: 39

Relevant

relevant

From French relevant, 'helpful', originally 'lightening', from Latin relevare, to lighten. Related to relieve.
by Audiendus
Sat Mar 16, 2024 10:30 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Glossolalia
Replies: 2
Views: 5167

Re: Glossolalia

Speaking in an actual language, presumably unknown to the speaker, can be called either xenolalia or xenoglossia . Or xenoglossy , which has been featured as a Good Word. Regarding sign language, there is semiotics , which is the study of 'signs' in a broad sense, though not specifically sign langu...
by Audiendus
Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:55 am
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: Strapping
Replies: 2
Views: 1120

Re: Strapping

Whopping, spanking (1660s), bouncing (1570s), cracking, thumping (1570s), ripping, smashing. I wonder how many more are hiding out there. Anyone with a penchant for lists care to jump in?
Whacking, riveting, stonking, blistering...
by Audiendus
Thu Feb 29, 2024 12:30 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Aberrant
Replies: 7
Views: 3244

Re: Aberrant

/ pronounce it the old fashioned way.
Me too. Never heard it pronounced with the accent on the first syllable. Maybe it's a US/UK difference.
by Audiendus
Mon Feb 26, 2024 10:38 pm
Forum: Res Diversae
Topic: AA Meeting
Replies: 16
Views: 1422

Re: AA Meeting

https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=cannoli
from Italian cannoli, plural of cannola, literally "small tube,"
According to Wiktionary, the singular is either cannolo (Italian) or cannolu (Sicilian).
by Audiendus
Sat Feb 24, 2024 10:40 pm
Forum: Res Diversae
Topic: Poem: A World of Woe
Replies: 0
Views: 251

Poem: A World of Woe

A World of Woe I looked at the papers on Monday And saw they were full of bad news. There was chaos and carnage in Gaza And strife between Muslims and Jews. I read of Hamas and Hezbollah, Of Houthis attacking our ships, Of Lebanon, Egypt and Yemen, And autocrats licking their lips. I looked at the ...
by Audiendus
Fri Feb 23, 2024 10:24 pm
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: Prestige
Replies: 1
Views: 281

Prestige

prestige

From Latin via French.

It originally meant an illusion, then an illusion of excellence, and finally a reputation for (genuine) excellence.
by Audiendus
Tue Feb 20, 2024 11:31 pm
Forum: Res Diversae
Topic: AA Meeting
Replies: 16
Views: 1422

Re: AA Meeting

Alga, bacterium, and criterion have all become fossils, if you will.
In the UK at least, these are still the only correct singular forms. The use of criteria as singular is a common error, but an error nonetheless.
by Audiendus
Mon Feb 19, 2024 11:18 am
Forum: Res Diversae
Topic: AA Meeting
Replies: 16
Views: 1422

Re: AA Meeting

. . . what common noun has
a plural (archaic) with which it
shares no letters?
cow > kine?
by Audiendus
Fri Feb 16, 2024 11:06 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Heroin
Replies: 3
Views: 3081

Re: Heroin

Speaking of pronunciation, I'd quibble with the pronunciation given here. I don't think the 'r' should be repeated: her -o-win. The British pronunciation is more like " her -o-in". Listening to the US pronunciation provided, I note that the 'o' is virtually a schwa, necessitating a slight...
by Audiendus
Thu Feb 15, 2024 10:01 pm
Forum: Res Diversae
Topic: Alternative Christmas hymns
Replies: 36
Views: 57876

Re: Alternative Christmas (and other) hymns

Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Ye soldiers of the Lord! Arise, ye able seamen, And boldly march aboard! Ye captains and commanders, Prepare your plans of war; Let all be brave and steadfast Amid the pools of gore. Though stony is the highway That leads us to success, Our...
by Audiendus
Thu Feb 15, 2024 10:15 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Secular
Replies: 1
Views: 55773

Re: Secular

The second sense is still around, though: "The arts festival is a secular affair that has continued annually since its inception in 1971." I think this is quite a rare use of "secular". I would certainly have interpreted it as 'nonreligious' in the above quote. The link between ...
by Audiendus
Sun Feb 11, 2024 10:18 pm
Forum: Res Diversae
Topic: Alternative Christmas hymns
Replies: 36
Views: 57876

Re: Alternative Christmas (and other) hymns

Abide With Me Abide with me; fast falls the eventide. Night-time approaches; wilt thou be my guide? Demons abound, and perils hard to see. Lord, on life's gloomy course, abide with me. Dusk heralds darkness; age portends the grave. Lead me, my blind and anxious soul to save! Steer me to morning, an...
by Audiendus
Sun Feb 11, 2024 10:23 am
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: Episcopal
Replies: 1
Views: 170

Episcopal

episcopal

Relating to a bishop.

From Greek (via Latin) meaning "watcher, overseer".

"Episcopal" is etymologically related to the word "bishop".

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