Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ


A.Word.A.Day--holus-bolus

Pronunciation RealAudio

holus-bolus (HO-luhs BO-luhs) adverb

All at once.

[Apparently a reduplication of bolus (lump), or a rhyming compound based on the phrase whole bolus.]

"On the 30th anniversary of the Canadian switchover, metric enthusiast Greg Peterson, who runs the One Metre website, said the new speed signs came in largely holus-bolus. 'There was no question about it, there was no gradual phase-in period,' he said." Estanislao Oziewicz; Ireland Makes the Switch to Metric Speed Limits; The Globe and Mail (Toronto, Canada); Jan 20, 2005.

"The unions are somewhat encouraged by the fact that new public enterprises minister Alec Erwin appears to have moved back significantly from the 'policy juggernaut' of holus-bolus privatisation for Spoornet." Lynda Loxton; Spoornet is a Beast of Missed Opportunities; Business Report (Johannesburg, South Africa); Jan 17, 2005.

This week's theme: reduplicatives.

X-Bonus

All art is autobiographical; the pearl is the oyster's autobiography. -Federico Fellini, film director, and writer (1920-1993)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith