I don't understand how burke and berk can be regarded as versions of the same word. Burke is derived from William Burke and means 'cover up' or 'suffocate'; berk comes from 'Berkshire (or Berkeley?) Hunt' and means 'fool'. Different origin, different meaning.

standard (noun or adjective) Here is a word with many meanings. The military sense, of a raised banner carried in battle, seems to be the original one. How it acquired its other meanings is not clear. A standard may be a measure of excellence, or on the other hand it may refer to something that is ...

iron

This word has an interesting etymology, as described here. Note the anomalous pronunciation, and the various different meanings.

It is unrelated to irony (with pronounced 'r') and ironic.

cappuccino Originally from Italian cappuccino meaning 'Capuchin monk'. The monks (who wore light brown robes, similar to the light brown of the drink) were named after the Italian word cappuccio , meaning 'hood'. According to Wiktionary, the Italian word for the monk was borrowed by Viennese German...

imbue, imbrue How closely are these two words (with similar meanings) etymologically related? They are apparently both connected to the Latin verb bibere (to drink), but do they have any closer connection than that? I was unfamiliar with "imbrue" until I found it on the list of Good Words just now ...

An additional couplet could be included somewhere in my poem:

Sometimes, to confuse the reader,
German forms are used, like Lieder.

random

Originally part of the phrase "at random", literally "at high speed", from the earlier word randon, 'speed', 'impetuosity'. The idea is that of rushing about aimlessly.

It is related to the word 'run'.

Dr. Goodword wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 25, 2019 10:21 pm

Notes: Today's word is anomalous because it is the only word with a double C, both of which may be pronounced soft, like S.

It seems likely that the pronunciation was influenced by placid.

dessert

The last course of a meal, from French desservir, to 'dis-serve', i.e. to clear away (the previous course(s)).

stationery

Articles (books and paper) sold by a stationer, i.e. one who sells from a fixed location rather than an itinerant peddler.

The word is thus related to stationary.

adequate

From Latin adaequare, to equalize, from aequus, equal.

Used in the sense of 'equal to what is needed'.

The name of this famous work by Mozart is usually rendered in English as "A Little Night Music" (the name of a well-known musical by Stephen Sondheim). But it should really be translated as "A Little Serenade". Nachtmusik is a countable noun in German, and kleine means 'little' as in 'small', not 'l...

anacoluthon A discontinuity in the sense or grammatical structure of a sentence. It may involve a simple switching from one thought to another, or it may be the result of faulty syntax. Examples: If it rains – but I don't think it will. When winter comes, and it grows cold, and the nights are long,...

tkowal wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 08, 2019 9:22 am

The first root appears also in sarcophagus!

Also sarcasm – figuratively 'tearing/stripping the flesh' (with a 'cutting' remark).

As a dabbler in verse, these words with no rhyming partners are very frustrating. Or have I missed some? Integer I suppose, works but is certainly nothing to do with sour. And spinnaker is a near miss but good enough for a limerick. I cannot think of a proper English rhyme for vinegar , but there i...