Search found 8091 matches

by Slava
Thu Mar 28, 2024 6:14 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Incipient
Replies: 2
Views: 2648

Re: Incipient

If we do change the 'c' to an 's', and the middle 'i' to an 'a', we can create 'insapient'. It's the 'non' meaning of in-, not the 'in', but I like it. We may be scientifically called homo sapiens , but so often we act insapiently. ( Sapient on the Agora.) It may even actually have been a word once ...
by Slava
Wed Mar 27, 2024 4:02 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Furbish
Replies: 1
Views: 2615

Re: Furbish

I'm going to have to keep the re-. I keep trying to make this word mean furnish. :shock:
by Slava
Wed Mar 27, 2024 3:27 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Relevant
Replies: 1
Views: 49

Re: Relevant

Not that it's relevant, but revelant made me think of another word and it got me revved up. Revenant is a real word, even if my spell-check doesn't accept it yet. The Dr.'s treated it twice, here and here.
by Slava
Tue Mar 26, 2024 6:59 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Dapper
Replies: 1
Views: 2725

Re: Dapper

I can see why the roots of this word could mean 'fat' or 'thick'. It is only in the last few generations that being slim and trim were considered signs of health and wealth. So, not that long ago, to be dapper would have required being well-fed and smooth.
by Slava
Tue Mar 26, 2024 6:50 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Encomium
Replies: 1
Views: 2534

Re: Encomium

Further reference: panegyric & eulogy. Laud and its relatives have never been to the Dr.'s office. Neither has applaud, for that matter. Curiously, they aren't related.
by Slava
Tue Mar 26, 2024 6:46 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Panegyric
Replies: 1
Views: 2942

Re: Panegyric

For related words, visit encomium and eulogy.
by Slava
Mon Mar 25, 2024 8:02 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Kickshaw
Replies: 1
Views: 5327

Re: Kickshaw

I haven't been dwelling on this one for the last year, I admit, but I will say I don't believe I've ever come across it in the wild. Gewgaw, doodad, etc., yes. But not this one. Anyone?
by Slava
Mon Mar 25, 2024 7:57 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Symptom
Replies: 1
Views: 4558

Re: Symptom

Could we go so far as to say that it is symptomatic of the human condition that we find it easier to treat symptoms rather than causes? And once the symptoms have been covered up, we tend to ignore and forget about the causes?
by Slava
Mon Mar 25, 2024 6:15 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Cleave
Replies: 1
Views: 2646

Re: Cleave

Given the opposite meanings, mightn't Woody grab the superglue and go out to repair the previously cleft firewood? :o
by Slava
Mon Mar 25, 2024 5:31 am
Forum: Good Word Suggestions
Topic: Virgule
Replies: 1
Views: 81

Re: Virgule

Taken up and treated here.
by Slava
Sun Mar 24, 2024 3:12 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Sultry
Replies: 3
Views: 101

Re: Sultry

The connection is also made in French: La petite mort (the little death). It began life as a short loss of consciousness, but took on other meanings.
by Slava
Sun Mar 24, 2024 8:25 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Juggernaut
Replies: 1
Views: 5173

Re: Juggernaut

While in Notes, the verb form is used for a positive result, I wonder how often juggernaut in general is. It carries so much violent baggage that even when trying to think positive, there are serious negative tones.
by Slava
Sun Mar 24, 2024 8:22 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Shibboleth
Replies: 1
Views: 3086

Re: Shibboleth

Should anyone out there wish to challenge themselves to a pronunciation battle, Wikipedia has an entire article on Strč prst skrz krk. I can't imagine myself managing it.
by Slava
Sat Mar 23, 2024 4:14 pm
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Beck
Replies: 1
Views: 2471

Re: Beck

I just learned that Faulkner never graduated from high school. And I'll go out on a limb and say a 2 cent stamp pre-dates anyone on this board. That was a long, long time ago.
by Slava
Sat Mar 23, 2024 5:52 am
Forum: Good Word Discussion
Topic: Criterion
Replies: 1
Views: 7738

Re: CRITERION

Nice way of showing how to use the singular.

Too bad too few people with the criteria for being a good anything in political office will stoop to run. :cry:

Go to advanced search