Search found 8151 matches
- Fri Apr 05, 2024 5:59 am
- Forum: Good Word Discussion
- Topic: Nacreous
- Replies: 1
- Views: 2452
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: 219
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: 5803
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: 2514
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: 337
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: 337
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: 2877
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: 250
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: 5509
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: 2643
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: 103
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: 2858
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.
- Sat Mar 30, 2024 10:16 am
- Forum: Good Word Discussion
- Topic: Malaise
- Replies: 1
- Views: 2980
Re: Malaise
• malaise • Iacere came from the PIE word ye - "to throw", found outside Latin only in Hittite ijami "I make". (Potters "throw" pots on a spinning wheel in making them.) I'm wondering if this is still true. There is a new word out there making the rounds, especially in...
- Fri Mar 29, 2024 3:06 pm
- Forum: Good Word Suggestions
- Topic: Exodic
- Replies: 1
- Views: 133
Re: Exodic
Every other source I found on the internot gives the second meaning, and in the same words in the same order. Everyone copying everyone else? However, a contemporary non-medical use might be thus: I'm glad I already live in the path of totality for the eclipse. The exodic routes from my city will li...
- Fri Mar 29, 2024 4:51 am
- Forum: Good Word Discussion
- Topic: Tetchy
- Replies: 1
- Views: 3112
Re: Tetchy
Here's an idea for a niche dictionary: words that don't have clear origins. Words that seem to pop up out of nothing and nowhere, but hang in there and become part of the language.