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Sep 24, 2012 This week's theme Verbs This week's words crepitate ramify ameliorate adhibit decorticate Discuss Feedback RSS/XML A.Word.A.Day with Anu Garg Yoda of the Star Wars universe once advised, "Do. Or do not. There is no try." Clearly, by saying "Do", he was exhorting one to take action. But in English the word "try" is also a verb, an action word. And not to quarrel with the wise Yoda, but sometimes to choose not to do is also a form of action. This week we'll arm you with five verbs and send you on your way to do, to do not, or to try. Go explore faraway galaxies or your corner of the world. crepitate PRONUNCIATION: (KREP-i-tayt) MEANING: verb intr.: To make a crackling or popping sound. ETYMOLOGY: From Latin crepitare (to crackle), frequentative of crepare (to rattle, crack). Earliest documented use: 1623. USAGE: "John Grisham's sentences thud and crepitate all over the page, and he has become a literary tycoon." Gene Weingarten; The Fiddler in the Subway; Simon & Schuster; 2010. Explore "crepitate" in the Visual Thesaurus. A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: My feeling is that there is nothing in life but refraining from hurting others, and comforting those who are sad. -Olive Schreiner, author (1855-1920)

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