Search found 8065 matches

by Slava
Tue Mar 19, 2024 5:46 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Inosculate
Replies: 3
Views: 7280

Re: Inosculate

The problem here is that there are two different in- prefixes, and they aren't even related. So there's in- 'not', and in- 'in'. The first comes from 'ne-' (as in indomitable ), the second from 'en-' (as in today's GW enteric . The Online Etymology Dictionary has a nice write up on these for further...
by Slava
Mon Mar 18, 2024 5:52 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Impervious
Replies: 1
Views: 2700

Re: Impervious

In case anyone out there is wondering, yes, imperious has been treated by the Good Doctor. Here ye be.
by Slava
Mon Mar 18, 2024 5:50 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Imperious
Replies: 1
Views: 5169

Re: Imperious

Being more or less impervious to the imperious, I tend to look down on them for their "superior" airs.
by Slava
Mon Mar 18, 2024 5:44 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Equable
Replies: 1
Views: 2387

Re: Equable

I'd say an equable person demonstrates a decent level of equanimity, no?
by Slava
Sun Mar 17, 2024 7:38 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Leprechaun
Replies: 1
Views: 2474

Re: Leprechaun

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all and sundry!
by Slava
Sat Mar 16, 2024 12:32 pm
Forum: Languages of the World
Topic: Irish Names
Replies: 1
Views: 64

Irish Names

In keeping with articles related to Ireland for St, Patrick's Day, CNN has a piece on how to pronounce Irish names:

https://www.cnn.com/travel/irish-names- ... index.html

Personally, I'd prefer using more phonetic spellings when they're in English for English speakers. But that's me.
by Slava
Fri Mar 15, 2024 6:19 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Compeer
Replies: 2
Views: 2797

Re: Compeer

I get why definition 2 is actually the more likely usage these days. A jury of one's peers is one thing. A jury of one's compeers would be an easy acquittal.
by Slava
Fri Mar 15, 2024 5:41 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Fishwife
Replies: 1
Views: 2475

Re: Fishwife

I didn't curse like a fishwife after doing so, but I ended up choosing the wrong word of two possibles for my last guess in Wordle today. :oops:

Bummer. :cry:
by Slava
Fri Mar 15, 2024 5:06 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Pert
Replies: 1
Views: 2970

Re: Pert

With all those relatives, it's probably no surprise that this word is also related to Wehrmacht! Wild.
by Slava
Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:55 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Glossolalia
Replies: 2
Views: 5167

Re: Glossolalia

Given that languages are spoken of as tongues, some even using their word for tongue to mean language, don't we all speak in tongues? :?

Which makes me wonder about sign language. There's no 'langue' in that, so should we come up with a different word? :) :?
by Slava
Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:04 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Repudiate
Replies: 1
Views: 2715

Re: Repudiate

Some years ago a certain politician in the US caught a great deal of flak over her use of the word 'refudiate'. I say, while it hasn't become accepted in general usage, it's still and all a great portmanteau that carries the meanings of both its parts. The Oxford American dictionary even declared it...
by Slava
Thu Mar 14, 2024 7:49 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Prone
Replies: 1
Views: 2625

Re: Prone

Here's an odd discussion of another meaning for this word. I can't find any source to back up the definition, but Grogie did have some arcane references back in the day.

Prone's opposite is also available for viewing on the Agora: Supine.
by Slava
Thu Mar 14, 2024 6:25 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Hypocorism
Replies: 3
Views: 108

Re: Hypocorism

Given the definition and the root word definitions, I'd say hypocorisms should be affectionate or endearing. Caressing is not usually considered hostile.

What's a cobber anyway? :?:
by Slava
Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:58 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Deodorant
Replies: 2
Views: 3144

Re: Deodorant

Odor does seem almost exclusively to mean something unpleasant, with aroma serving in the pleasant scents.
by Slava
Wed Mar 13, 2024 10:48 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Gossip
Replies: 1
Views: 5182

Re: Gossip

I have no tea to spill, so I'll just refer the curious to the Good Doctor's Agora treatment of Sibling.

Question for any British readers out there, though: do you still use gossip as in the 3rd definition?

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