Search found 8154 matches
- Sat Apr 06, 2024 6:38 am
- Forum: Good Word Discussion
- Topic: Connive
- Replies: 1
- Views: 3218
Re: Connive
I wondered in an old post if a contrivance were pejorative. Now I'd say that it can be, but if the contriving isn't nice, connivance would be the better word to use. And vice-versa.
- Fri Apr 05, 2024 5:48 pm
- Forum: Good Word Discussion
- Topic: Torch
- Replies: 1
- Views: 112
Re: Torch
Yes, in case you thought it too, having seen the Modern German word, queer is a relative.
- Fri Apr 05, 2024 7:57 am
- Forum: Good Word Suggestions
- Topic: ute/Ute
- Replies: 2
- Views: 183
Re: ute/Ute
Well, the first one is a trimming of utility, covered in utile. Not related to futile, by the by. Perhaps a suggestible word for the Agora?
The Utes, however, seem to have a murky etymology. The closest I got was a 'perhaps from'.
The Utes, however, seem to have a murky etymology. The closest I got was a 'perhaps from'.
- Fri Apr 05, 2024 5:59 am
- Forum: Good Word Discussion
- Topic: Nacreous
- Replies: 1
- Views: 2456
Re: Nacreous
Even having read this way back when it first came out, and several times since then, I can't seem to break myself of the habit of pronouncing it with a 'knack'. Sigh.
- Thu Apr 04, 2024 6:16 pm
- Forum: Good Word Discussion
- Topic: Etagere
- Replies: 4
- Views: 221
Re: Etagere
Would putting the decoration on the first letter alter the pronunciation to 'ay'? I took 4 years of French in high school, but that was a couple of years back, and I never used it either.
- Thu Apr 04, 2024 10:47 am
- Forum: Good Word Discussion
- Topic: Bardolatry
- Replies: 3
- Views: 5861
Re: Bardolatry
GBS of course was thinking idolatry of the Bard when he coined his word, but idolatry has two parts itself. The -latry part is covered in the Dr.'s discussion of epeolatry . Another word to add to the list started there is angelolatry. Perhaps of interest is that -latry is related to larceny .
- Thu Apr 04, 2024 8:11 am
- Forum: Good Word Discussion
- Topic: Larceny
- Replies: 1
- Views: 2515
Re: Larceny
Fascinating that larceny and idolatry are related. The -latry ending to idol is larcenous.
- Wed Apr 03, 2024 10:45 am
- Forum: Good Word Discussion
- Topic: Verge
- Replies: 5
- Views: 339
Re: Verge
The verger verged on verging the vicuña to the verge with his verge?
- Tue Apr 02, 2024 11:25 am
- Forum: Good Word Discussion
- Topic: Verge
- Replies: 5
- Views: 339
Re: Verge
I was wondering about verger, the guy who holds the verge, which according to dictionary.com is "a rod, wand, or staff, especially one carried as an emblem of authority or of the office of a bishop, dean, or the like."
- Tue Apr 02, 2024 6:40 am
- Forum: Good Word Discussion
- Topic: Seed
- Replies: 1
- Views: 2881
Re: Seed
While I admit to not being much of a sports person, I'm still very happy to know how 'seed' came to be used in sports.
- Mon Apr 01, 2024 5:08 pm
- Forum: Res Diversae
- Topic: In case you’re not familiar with this . . . .
- Replies: 1
- Views: 252
Re: In case you’re not familiar with this . . . .
Here's a companion piece on the History of X, at the Smithsonian magazine.
- Sun Mar 31, 2024 7:34 am
- Forum: Good Word Discussion
- Topic: Bulge
- Replies: 2
- Views: 5569
Re: Bulge
Though the bourgeois do tend to be possessed of generous bellies and budgets, it appears their word is not related. See here and here . I was surprised, as I was led to thinking they might be by the dismissive term for a bourgeois; bougie. Come to find out bougie is not only that, but also a candle ...
- Sun Mar 31, 2024 6:11 am
- Forum: Good Word Discussion
- Topic: Beck
- Replies: 4
- Views: 2646
Re: Beck
Post cards have always cheaper than envelopes, but one-centers may still be old enough to be worth something. You should look them up. Or, just add the difference to make today's cost and you can use them.
- Sat Mar 30, 2024 8:01 pm
- Forum: Good Word Discussion
- Topic: Easter
- Replies: 1
- Views: 105
Re: Easter
Of course, using a different calendar as they do, the Orthodox Easter won't be until May 5 this year. 35 days apart! I gather it's the most they can be.
- Sat Mar 30, 2024 7:59 pm
- Forum: Good Word Discussion
- Topic: Pesach
- Replies: 1
- Views: 2859
Re: Pesach
It may be Easter here in the US of A tomorrow, but it's not Pesach. That's a different lunar calendar, and won't be coming around until April 22-30 this year.