Word Nerd

[rawdeal]

. . . .
I never knew this was a real word. Just figured it was an informal figure of speech. A fairly recent word.

Me too. Guess I always figured all slang terms came way after 1859. More recently, one time only, (so far) I saw a bumper sticker suggesting there may be sexual connotations lurking therein.

 

[tommyguns2]

Today's word is:

adulterate

Pronounced: uh-DUHL-tuh-rayt

This word is a verb that means to add a cheaper or inferior substance to something.

So you would use this word when describing people substituting inferior ingredients or watering something down in a negative context.

From Latin adulterare (to corrupt), from ad- (toward) + alter (other). Earliest documented use: 1526.

 

[tommyguns2]

Today's word is:

metromania

pronounced: met-ruh-MAY-nee-uh

This word is a noun that means a mania for writing poetry. I don't think I'll ever find an opportunity to use this word. I've always struggled to get poetry. One interesting thing about this word is that the "o" is not a long "o" sound, which kinda surprised me, as metro is always pronounced with a long "o".

From Greek metro- (measure, meter) + -mania (excessive enthusiasm or craze). Earliest documented use: 1791.

 

[rawdeal]

. . . . I've always struggled to get poetry . . . .

Did you not ever come across the Classics ... like "There Was A Young Man From Nantucket ..... " ?

 

[tommyguns2]

Today's word is:

sexennial

Pronounced: sek-SEN-ee-uhl

This word is a noun that means an event occurring every six years.

Alternatively, the word can be used as an adjective to mean happening every six years; lasting for or relating to six years.

From Latin sex (six) + annus (year). Earliest documented use: 1646.

From the Latin "sex" and "annus." I came up with something slightly different! Obviously, I didn't take Latin in high school. LOL

 

[tommyguns2]

Today's word is:

placer

Pronounced: PLAS-uhr OR PLAY-suhr

This word is a noun which has several meanings (1/2 first pronunciation, 3/4 second pronunciation)
1. A deposit of valuable minerals found in sand or gravel.
2. A place where such a deposit is washed to extract the valuable minerals.
3. One who finishes in a particular place in a contest.
4. One who arranges something.

From Spanish placer (sandbank), from Catalan placer (shoal), from Latin platea (street), from Greek plateia hodos (broad street). Earliest documented use: 1829.

From place, from Latin platea (street), from Greek plateia hodos (broad street). Earliest documented use: 1578.

 

[tommyguns2]

Today's word is:

psychrophobia

Pronounced: sy-kruh-FO-bee-uh

This word is a noun that means an abnormal fear of cold.

From Greek psychro- (cold) + -phobia (fear). Earliest documented use: 1727.

I was not aware that "psychro" was Greek for cold. I knew the Greek root kryos for cold (think cryogenic). Learn something every day.

 

[tommyguns2]

Today's word is:

Parkinson's law

Pronounced: PAHR-kin-suhnz law

This word is a noun that means the observation that work expands to fill the time available.

After C. Northcote Parkinson (1909-1993), author and historian, who first articulated this observation in 1955 in an article in The Economist. Earliest documented use: 1955.

This is a cool word. I'm very familiar with the concept, but never knew it had been given an official name. Learn something every day.

 

[Trip]

damn...I struggle with how to use to and too.....lol......

 

[rawdeal]

damn...I struggle with how to use to and too.....lol......

In his other "Hayek" thread, it's definitely spelled TWO.

hope this helps

 

[Trip]

okay, i rofl when read this

really me;s spelling is baaaaaddddd

 

[tommyguns2]

Today's word is:

gruntled

Pronounced: GRUHN-tuhld

This word is an adjective that means contented; happy.

Back-formation from disgruntled, from dis- (intensifier) + gruntle (to grumble), frequentative of grunt. Earliest documented use: 1938.