A.Word.A.Day Archives
from https://wordsmith.org/awad
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Date: Tue Mar 1 00:01:06 EST 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--ersatz
X-Bonus: The feeling of being hurried is not usually the result of living a full life and having no time. It is on the contrary born of a vague fear that we are wasting our life. When we do not do the one thing we ought to do, we have no time for anything else -- we are the busiest people in the world. -Eric Hoffer, philosopher and author (1902-1983)
This week's theme: Words borrowed from German
ersatz (ER-zahts, er-ZATS)
adjective: Serving as a substitute, especially of inferior quality; artificial.
noun: A substitute or imitation.
[From German Ersatz (replacement). Earliest documented use: 1875.]
"It may be in response to audience demands for such factory-stamped
precision tooling that a whole technology of ersatz performance --
involving lip-synching, playback, and music videos -- developed."
Jim Quilty; Free Improv; The Daily Star (Beirut, Lebanon);
Mar 12, 2010.
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Date: Wed Mar 2 00:01:08 EST 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--lebensraum
X-Bonus: In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it. The last is much the worst. -Oscar Wilde, writer (1854-1900)
This week's theme: Words borrowed from German
lebensraum (LAY-behns-roum) noun
Space required for living, growth, and development.
[From German Lebensraum (living space), from Leben (life) + Raum (space).
Earliest documented use: 1905.]
NOTES: The word became well-known after its association with Hitler and his
policy of expansion into eastern Europe. He claimed that additional living
space was needed for Germany's continued existence and economic development.
"As for Turkey, after 1974, she created a Lebensraum in the north for the
Turkish Cypriots and her settlers."
Murat Metin Hakki; Property Wars in Cyprus; Cyprus Mail (Nicosia); Mar 7, 2010.
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Date: Thu Mar 3 00:01:06 EST 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--diktat
X-Bonus: If there is a sin against life, it consists perhaps not so much in despairing of life as in hoping for another life and in eluding the implacable grandeur of this life. -Albert Camus, writer, philosopher, Nobel laureate (1913-1960)
This week's theme: Words borrowed from German
diktat (dik-TAT) noun
1. An order or decree imposed without popular consent.
2. A harsh settlement imposed upon a defeated party.
[From German Diktat (command, order, dictation), from Latin dictatum (something
dictated), from dictare (to dictate), frequentative of dicere (to say).
Ultimately from the Indo-European root deik- (to show, to pronounce
solemnly), which is also the source of words such as judge, verdict,
vendetta, revenge, indicate, dictate, paradigm,
interdict https://wordsmith.org/words/interdict.html and
fatidic https://wordsmith.org/words/fatidic.html . Earliest documented use:
1922, in reference to the Treaty of Versailles of 1919, by Germany.]
"Public participation in politics [in China] may not yet be approaching
the raucousness in India, but it is equally incorrect to view the
Chinese as obedient zombies silently following the State's every diktat."
Cultural Evolution; Hindustan Times (New Delhi, India); Dec 19, 2010.
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Date: Fri Mar 4 00:01:18 EST 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--schwarmerei
X-Bonus: We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. -John F. Kennedy, 35th US president (1917-1963)
This week's theme: Words borrowed from German
schwarmerei (shver-muh-RY) noun
1. Extravagant enthusiasm.
2. Excessive sentimentality.
[From Schw�rmerei (enthusiasm), from schw�rmen (to swarm, to be wild or mad
about). Earliest documented use: 1845.]
"True fulfillment flowed solely from whatever they had in common, for that
was always a condition of schwarmerei."
Jonathan Thomas; Midnight Call and Other Stories; Hippocampus Press; 2008.
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Date: Mon Mar 7 00:01:06 EST 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--corniche
X-Bonus: Advertising is legalized lying. -H.G. Wells, writer (1866-1946)
Obscuring one's appearance to deceive a predator or prey is a common tactic
in the animal kingdom. Some of our fellow animals display remarkable instances
of camouflage, the leafy sea dragon, for instance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leafy_sea_dragon.
This week's AWAD features words in which animals are camouflaged, though in
a different manner. A look at the word or its meaning gives no hint at its
animal origins. To identify the animal behind the word you have to look at
its etymology. You'll meet crow, dog, goat, crane, and a magpie in these words.
corniche (KOR-nish, kor-NEESH) noun
A coastal road, especially one cut into the side of a cliff.
[From French route en corniche, from Italian cornice (frame, ledge),
perhaps from Latin cornix (crow), from its resemblance to the beak of
a crow. Earliest documented use: 1837.]
Hawks' Nest, a corniche in New York:
https://wordsmith.org/words/images/corniche_large.jpg
[Photo: Daniel Case http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Daniel_Case]
"The median strip on the corniche has a magical open-air museum."
Maureen Dowd; A Girls' Guide to Saudi Arabia; Vanity Fair (New York);
Aug 2010.
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2010/08/maureen-dowd-201008
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Date: Tue Mar 8 00:01:05 EST 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--cynic
X-Bonus: All men whilst they are awake are in one common world: but each of them, when he is asleep, is in a world of his own. -Plutarch, biographer (c. 46-120)
This week's theme: Words with hidden animals
cynic (SIN-ik) noun
1. One who believes people are motivated by self-interest only.
2. A person with a negative outlook, one disposed to find fault.
[From Latin cynicus, from Greek kynikos (like a dog), from kyon (dog).
Ultimately from the Indo-European root kwon- (dog), which is also the
source of canine, chenille (from French chenille: caterpillar, literally,
little dog), kennel, canary, hound, dachshund, corgi, and cynosure
https://wordsmith.org/words/cynosure.html . Earliest documented use: 1547.]
Notes: Cynics was the name given to the ancient Greek philosophers who
believed in self-control, austerity, and moral virtue. The movement
was founded by Antisthenes (c. 444-365 BCE) and perfected by Diogenes
(c. 412-323 BCE). It's not clear why they were labeled cynics or dog-like,
but as often happens with such epithets, they appropriated it. Some believe
the name was given because Antisthenes taught in a gymnasium nicknamed White
Dog, but it's more likely that they were given the insulting moniker for
their rejection of society's conventions.
Diogenes of Sinope https://wordsmith.org/words/images/cynic_large.jpg
[Art: Jean-L�on G�r�me (1860)]
"The cynic's mantra that they [the MPs] are all bad is nonsense."
The Great Shaming of Parliament; The Economist (London, UK); May 14, 2009.
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Date: Wed Mar 9 00:01:04 EST 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--aegis
X-Bonus: A physician is not angry at the intemperance of a mad patient; nor does he take it ill to be railed at by a man in a fever. Just so should a wise man treat all mankind, as a physician does his patient; and looking upon them only as sick and extravagant. -Lucius Annaeus Seneca, philosopher (BCE 3-65 CE)
This week's theme: Words with hidden animals
aegis or egis (EE-jis) noun
Protection, support, guidance, or sponsorship of a particular person or
organization.
[From Latin aegis, from Greek aigis (goatskin), from aix (goat). Aigis was
the name of the shield or breastplate of Zeus or Athena in Greek mythology.
It was made of goatskin. Earliest documented use: 1704.]
Athena, daughter of Zeus, wearing an aegis with the head of the Gorgon at its center:
https://wordsmith.org/words/images/aegis_large.jpg
A stamp from Greece
"'I hope that the European Commission will take these projects under its
aegis,' president Yushchenko said."
Yushchenko Hopes European Commission Will Take Gas-transit Modernization
Projects Under Its Aegis; Kyiv Post (Ukraine); Mar 23, 2009.
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Date: Thu Mar 10 00:01:05 EST 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--pedigree
X-Bonus: There are more truths in twenty-four hours of a man's life than in all the philosophies. -Raoul Vaneigem, writer and philosopher (b.1934)
This week's theme: Words with hidden animals
pedigree (PED-i-gree) noun
1. Lineage or ancestry.
2. A distinguished ancestry.
3. The origin or history of a person or thing.
[From Anglo-Norman p� de grue (crane's foot), from p� (foot) + de (of) + grue
(crane), from the resemblance of a crane's foot to the succession lines in a
genealogical chart. Earliest documented use: 1425.]
The PIE chart showing pedigrees of English and other languages:
https://wordsmith.org/words/images/pedigree_large.gif
Graphic: Susana Turbitt, InterSol, Inc. http://www.intersolinc.com/
"Keep reading to see which dogs have the pedigree and which are fresh from
the puppy mill."
David A. Keeps; The Look for Less; Los Angeles Times; Feb 22, 2011.
"Bernard James stands out with a basketball pedigree that's unique in the
ACC."
Liz Clarke; Florida State's Bernard James; Washington Post; Feb 23, 2011.
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Date: Fri Mar 11 00:01:05 EST 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--gazette
X-Bonus: At least one way of measuring the freedom of any society is the amount of comedy that is permitted, and clearly a healthy society permits more satirical comment than a repressive, so that if comedy is to function in some way as a safety release then it must obviously deal with these taboo areas. This is part of the responsibility we accord our licensed jesters, that nothing be excused the searching light of comedy. If anything can survive the probe of humour it is clearly of value, and conversely all groups who claim immunity from laughter are claiming special privileges which should not be granted. -Eric Idle, comedian, actor, and author (b. 1943)
This week's theme: Words with hidden animals
gazette (guh-ZET) noun
1. A newspaper (now mostly used in the name of newspapers,
for example, the Montreal Gazette).
2. An official journal of an organization, for example, a government
journal listing appointments, promotions, etc.
verb tr.
1. To announce in an official journal.
2. To publish the appointment of someone in an official journal.
[From French, from Italian gazzetta (news sheet), from Venetian gazeta
(a small coin), diminutive of gaza (magpie). The news sheet may have been
named so because it sold for a gazeta or its content was compared to the
chattering of magpies. The coin may have been named from its marking.
Earliest documented use: 1607.]
"The printing was completed last night and copies of the gazettes will
be sent to the Parliament Secretariat this morning."
Oath in a Day or Two; The Daily Star (Dhaka, Bangladesh); Jan 2, 2009.
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Date: Mon Mar 14 00:01:06 EDT 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--predestinarianism
X-Bonus: A very popular error: having the courage of one's convictions; rather it is a matter of having the courage for an attack on one's convictions. -Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, philosopher (1844-1900)
March 14, 2011 marks the septendecennial of Wordsmith.org. On this day,
17 years ago, I started what turned into Wordsmith.org.
To celebrate, this week we'll feature words that are 17 letters long. Since
17 is the number of syllables in a haiku, we invite you to take part in a
haiku contest.
ocean of language
seventeen years is only
dipping a toe in
CONTEST: Define or illustrate each of this week's words in a haiku using the
traditional structure (three lines of 5-7-5 syllables). We'll select five
haiku winners, one for each word. Results will be announced at the end of
this week.
PRIZES: Winners will receive one of the following word games:
One Up! http://www.uppityshirts.com/oneup.shtml
Wildwords http://wildwords.us
MooT http://mootgame.com
HOW TO ENTER: Email your haiku to (contest AT wordsmith.org) by Friday this week.
Be sure to include your location (city/state/country).
predestinarianism (pri-des-tuh-NAIR-ee-uh-niz-uhm) noun
Belief in the doctrine of predestination, that the divine will has
predetermined the course of events, people's fate, etc.
[From Latin praedestination, from prae- (before) + destinare (to
determine), from stare (to stand). Earliest documented use: 1722.]
"I have reacquainted myself with the old taste of Scottish
predestinarianism. Y'know, damned or saved; nothing to do with
free will or good works."
Alexander Linklater; The Tale of the Three Alcoholics; The Guardian
(London, UK); Nov 11, 2006.
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Date: Tue Mar 15 00:01:24 EDT 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--triskaidekaphobia
X-Bonus: I live in the world rather as a spectator of mankind than as one of the species. -Joseph Addison, essayist and poet (1672-1719)
This week's theme: Seventeen-letter words to mark Wordsmith.org's septendecennial
triskaidekaphobia (tris-ky-dek-uh-FO-bee-uh) noun
Fear of the number 13.
[From Greek treiskaideka (thirteen), from treis (three) + kai (and)
+ deka (ten) + phobia (fear). Earliest documented use: 1911.]
Notes: Why do some people fear the number 13? It's one more than a dozen,
which leaves out an unlucky one if you divide something in groups of two,
three, four, or six. It's also said that there were 13 people in the Last
Supper. Friday the 13th is considered especially unlucky by many, while in
some cultures, in the Spanish-speaking world, for example, it's Tuesday the
13th that is believed to be unlucky.
"Chowrasia probably suffering from triskaidekaphobia bungled on
the 13th and allowed Harmeet to get a firm grip on the title."
Harmeet Takes Trophy; The Hindu (Chennai, India); Dec 23, 2006.
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Date: Wed Mar 16 00:01:05 EDT 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--contradistinguish
X-Bonus: There is nothing like desire for preventing the things one says from bearing any resemblance to what one has in one's mind. -Marcel Proust, novelist (1871-1922)
This week's theme: Seventeen-letter words to mark Wordsmith.org's septendecennial
contradistinguish (kon-truh-di-STING-gwish) verb tr.
To distinguish (one thing from another) by contrasting qualities.
[From Latin contra- (against) + distinguish, from Middle/Old French
distinguer, from Latin distinguere (to pick or separate). Ultimately
from the Indo-European root steig- (to stick; pointed), which is also
the source of ticket, etiquette, instinct, stigma, thistle, tiger,
and steak. Earliest documented use: 1622.]
"Avni successfully contradistinguished the character of Menachem from the
other men in uniform he has played."
Dan Williams; Aki Avni's Stellar Sincerity; The Jerusalem Post (Israel);
Nov 29, 2000.
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Date: Thu Mar 17 00:01:05 EDT 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--laryngopharyngeal
X-Bonus: Think of the poorest person you have ever seen and ask if your next act will be of any use to him. -Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)
This week's theme: Seventeen-letter words to mark Wordsmith.org's septendecennial
laryngopharyngeal (luh-ring-goh-fuh-RIN-jee-uhl, -juhl) adjective
Of or relating to the larynx (the part of the throat holding the vocal
cords) and pharynx (the part of the throat that leads from the mouth to
the esophagus).
[From Latin larynx, from Greek larynx + Latin pharynx, from Greek pharynx
(throat). Earliest documented use: 1872.]
Larynx and pharynx: https://wordsmith.org/words/images/laryngopharyngeal_large.jpg
[Illustration: National Cancer Institute]
Notes: If you have heard this term, chances are it was in the context of
laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), a condition in which the contents of the
stomach flow back to the throat.
"Under the heading of laryngopharyngeal disorders we discover that oboists
and horn players can be prone to nasal speech, regurgitation of liquids
and snorting while playing, all a result of the high pressures they must
employ to hit their notes."
Not Quite So Perilous in the Orchestra Pit; Nelson Mail (New Zealand);
Feb 25, 2009.
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Date: Fri Mar 18 00:01:07 EDT 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--perspicaciousness
X-Bonus: What the object of senile avarice may be I cannot conceive. For can there be anything more absurd than to seek more journey money, the less there remains of the journey? -Marcus Tullius Cicero, statesman, orator, writer (106-43 BCE)
This week's theme: Seventeen-letter words to mark Wordsmith.org's septendecennial
perspicaciousness (puhr-spi-KAY-shuhs-nes) noun
Keenness of perception and discernment.
[From Latin perspicere (to see through), from per- (through) + -spicere,
combining form of specere (to look). Ultimately from the Indo-European root
spek- (to observe), which is also the ancestor of such words as suspect,
spectrum, bishop (literally, overseer), espionage, despise, telescope,
spectator, speculum, and spectacles. Earliest documented use: 1727.]
"I have to take my hat off to Jean Cocteau, whose perspicaciousness enabled
him to predict the current thriving anime scene back in the early 1950s."
Henshu Techo; Musings; The Daily Yomiuri (Tokyo, Japan); Dec 4, 2004.
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Date: Mon Mar 21 00:01:06 EDT 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--usufruct
X-Bonus: When I go into the garden with a spade, and dig a bed, I feel such an exhilaration and health that I discover that I have been defrauding myself all this time in letting others do for me what I should have done with my own hands. -Ralph Waldo Emerson, writer and philosopher (1803-1882)
Anyone who cancels an A.Word.A.Day subscription receives a brief feedback
form. The number one reason for cancellations is information overload.
I understand. We all get too much email, and the number of messages we receive
isn't going down with time. That's why back in 2000 we reduced the frequency
from seven to five words a week.
Some of the reasons for dropping the subscription are a little more offbeat.
Here are a few comments from the exit survey:
"My girlfriend subscribed me to your email service and we have subsequently
split up. As much as I enjoy your emails each day, they remind me of her."
"Emails were sent too early in the am and disturbing my sleep."
[Apparently this subscriber has his smartphone alert him every time an
email pops up.]
"My mom made me subscribe, but I'm unsubscribing because I'm angry at her.
It's nothing against Wordsmith. Wordsmith is actually very fun. I'm just
being a rebel with her."
Unfortunately, we can't do much for those ex-subscribers and ex-girlfriends,
but others are more manageable. There are some who say that they want words
to be more useful.
The way I look at it, all words are useful, as shown by their use in current
newspapers. But I get it. Those readers want words that they may come
across more often, yet are somewhat unfamiliar, words such as,
invidious https://wordsmith.org/words/invidious.html ,
profligate https://wordsmith.org/words/profligate.html , and
exiguous https://wordsmith.org/words/exiguous.html .
This week we'll feature a few miscellaneous words that could be considered
more employable by those readers. As for the rest of you, even if you know
these words, their etymologies may be something you'll enjoy.
And don't wait for the exit survey to tell us what you like or don't like.
Send your comments any time to (words at wordsmith.org).
usufruct (YOO-zuh-fruhkt, -suh-) noun
The right to use and enjoy another's property without destroying it.
[From Latin ususfructus, from usus et fructus (use and enjoyment).
Earliest documented use: 1646.]
"It is currently in the process of purchasing perpetual usufruct rights
to a number of plots."
Budlex Prepares for Large Residential Project; Warsaw Business Journal
(Poland); Jan 17, 2011.
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Date: Tue Mar 22 00:01:05 EDT 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--bailiwick
X-Bonus: The strongest natures, when they are influenced, submit the most unreservedly; it is perhaps a sign of their strength. -Virginia Woolf, writer (1882-1941)
This week's theme: Miscellaneous words
bailiwick (BAY-luh-wik) noun
A person's area of expertise or interest.
[From Middle English bailliwik, from bailie (bailiff), from bail (custody),
from Latin baiulare (to serve as porter) + Middle English wick (dairy farm
or village), from Old English wic (house or village), from Latin vicus
(neighborhood). Ultimately from the Indo-European root weik- (clan), which
is also the forebear of vicinity, village, villa, and villain (originally,
a villain was a farm servant, one who lived in a villa or a country house),
ecumenical https://wordsmith.org/words/ecumenical.html , and
ecesis https://wordsmith.org/words/ecesis.html .
Earliest documented use: 1460.]
"Ms. Sarah Palin took the extraordinary step Tuesday of filing an ethics
complaint against herself, making the matter fall within the bailiwick of
the personnel board. Her lawyer Mr. Van Flein then asked the Legislature
to drop its inquiry."
Peter S. Goodman and Michael Moss; Alaska Lawmakers to Seek Subpoenas in
Palin Inquiry; The New York Times; Sep 6, 2008.
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Date: Wed Mar 23 00:01:05 EDT 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--effulgent
X-Bonus: Sometimes a man wants to be stupid if it lets him do a thing his cleverness forbids. -John Steinbeck, novelist, Nobel laureate (1902-1968)
This week's theme: Miscellaneous words
effulgent (i-FUHL-juhnt, i-fool-) adjective
Shining brilliantly; radiant.
[From Latin effulgere (to shine out), from ex- (out) + fulgere (to shine).
Ultimately from the Indo-European root bhel- (to shine or burn), which is
also the source of blaze, blank, blond, bleach, blanket, and flame.
Earliest documented use: 1737.]
"No other ballet so remorselessly exposes the gulf between effulgent
grandeur and mere competence."
Allen Robertson; The Sleeping Beauty; The Times (London, UK); Jul 27, 2007.
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Date: Thu Mar 24 00:01:05 EDT 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--lapidary
X-Bonus: If you shut your door to all errors truth will be shut out. -Rabindranath Tagore, poet, philosopher, author, songwriter, painter, educator, composer, Nobel laureate (1861-1941)
This week's theme: Miscellaneous words
lapidary (LAP-i-der-ee)
adj.: 1. Relating to precious stones or cutting and polishing them.
2. Having elegance, precision, or refinement suggestive of gem cutting.
noun: 1. One who cuts, polishes, or deals in precious stones.
2. The art of cutting and polishing gems.
[From Latin lapis (stone). Earliest documented use: 1382.]
"The event will feature live and silent auctions of minerals and fossils
... and demonstrations of lapidary and jewelry making."
Earth Science Show Planned; Naperville Sun (Illinois); Feb 8, 2011.
"The beauty of this film is in its lapidary details, which sparkle with
feeling and surprise."
Carina Chocano; Movie Review: Babel; Los Angeles Times; Oct 27, 2006.
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Date: Fri Mar 25 00:01:04 EDT 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--taradiddle
X-Bonus: What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult to each other? -George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans), novelist (1819-1880)
This week's theme: Miscellaneous words
taradiddle or tarradiddle (tar-uh-DID-l) noun
1. A petty lie.
2. Pretentious nonsense.
[Origin unknown. Earliest documented use: 1796.]
"This investment is pure puffery and taradiddle."
Malcolm Berko; Taking Stock; The State Journal-Register
(Springfield, Illinois); Apr 26, 2010.
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Date: Mon Mar 28 00:04:06 EDT 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--accolade
X-Bonus: There are many people who reach their conclusions about life like schoolboys; they cheat their master by copying the answer out of a book without having worked out the sum for themselves. -Soren Kierkegaard, philosopher (1813-1855)
Here's a pop quiz: Who was Gluteus Maximus? Even though it sounds like the
name of some ancient Roman general, gluteus maximus is actually the name of
a muscle. Its claim to fame is that it's the biggest muscle in the human
body. Can you guess where one can find it? Hint: you sit on it. It finds
its home in the posterior.
This week we'll see five words derived from body parts, including one gluteus
maximus calls its home. We'll start from the top and make our way down, as we
visit the neck, elbow, fist, womb, and bum.
accolade (AK-uh-layd, -lahd, ak-uh-LAYD, -LAHD) noun
1. An award, honor, or an expression of praise.
2. A touch on someone's shoulders with the flat blade of a sword in the
ceremony of conferring knighthood. Earlier an embrace was used instead.
[From French accolade (an embrace), from accoler (to embrace), from Latin
accolare, from ad- (to, on) + collum (neck). Ultimately from the Indo-European
root kwel- (to revolve), which is also the source of words such as colony,
cult, culture, cycle, cyclone, chakra, collar,
col https://wordsmith.org/words/col.html ,
palindrome https://wordsmith.org/words/palindrome.html , and
palinode https://wordsmith.org/words/palinode.html .
Earliest documented use: 1623.]
The Accolade: https://wordsmith.org/words/images/accolade_large.jpg
Art: Edmund Blair Leighton (1853-1922)
"The firm's Bangor branch took the accolade for best performing store."
Asda's Price Guarantee Helps Sales; Belfast Telegraph (Northern Ireland);
Feb 23, 2011.
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Date: Tue Mar 29 00:04:10 EDT 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--elbow grease
X-Bonus: No cow's like a horse, and no horse like a cow. That's one similarity, anyhow. -Piet Hein, poet and scientist (1905-1996)
This week's theme: Words for body parts used figuratively
elbow grease (EL-bo grees) noun
Hard work; vigorous exertion.
[Originally elbow grease was a metaphor for manual labor, as in elbow grease
is the best wax for polishing furniture. Now in an extended sense it can refer
to any effort, physical or mental. Earliest documented use: 1672.]
"It comes down a question of who is going to provide the manpower and elbow
grease that any project requires."
Bill Crist; Making the Case For An Investment For Manpower; Cameron Herald
(Texas); Aug 24, 2009.
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Date: Wed Mar 30 00:04:05 EDT 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--pugnacious
X-Bonus: If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility. -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, poet (1807-1882)
This week's theme: Words for body parts used figuratively
pugnacious (puhg-NAY-shuhs) adjective
Having a quarrelsome nature; belligerent.
[From Latin pugnare (to fight), from pugnus (fist). Ultimately from the
Indo-European root peuk- (to prick) which is also the source of point,
puncture, pungent, punctual, poignant, pounce, poniard, and impugn
https://wordsmith.org/words/impugn.html . Earliest documented use: 1642.]
"Whitacre has earned a reputation for being pugnacious, stubborn, and
willing to fight to the end."
James S. Granelli; AT&T Chief Stays Focused; Los Angeles Times; Mar 7, 2006.
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Date: Thu Mar 31 00:01:05 EDT 2011
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--dauphin
X-Bonus: Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him. -Aldous Huxley, novelist (1894-1963)
This week's theme: Words for body parts used figuratively
dauphin (DAW-fin) noun
An heir apparent in business, politics, etc.
[From the title of the eldest son of a king of France and the direct heir
to the throne, from 1350 to 1830. The title came from the dolphins that
adorned the coat of arms, from Old French daulphin (dolphin), from Latin
delphinus, from Greek delphin, from delphus (womb), from the shape of the
organ. Earliest documented use: 1485.]
Arms of the Dauphin of France: https://wordsmith.org/words/images/dauphin.png
"James Murdoch's elder brother, Lachlan, long regarded as the dauphin,
resigned his positions at News Corp and retreated to Australia in 2005."
Peter Wilby; The Sun King's Long Goodbye; New Statesman (London, UK);
Feb 10, 2011.
"Bush's memoir should prompt renewed reflections upon his catastrophic
presidency. It is really a saga of how a dauphin could take the leading
power in the world and leave it crippled."
Jacob Heilbrunn; George Bush's Unmemorable Memoir; The National Interest
(Washington, DC); Nov 8, 2010.