A.Word.A.Day Archives
from https://wordsmith.org/awad
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Date: Tue Aug 1 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--forgettery
X-Bonus: Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed. -Herman Melville, novelist and poet (1 Aug 1819-1891)
This week's theme: Lesser-known counterparts
forgettery (fuhr-GET-uh-ree) noun
1. The capacity to forget easily.
2. A poor memory.
[Patterned after memory. From English forget, from Old English forgietan (to
forget), from for- (away) + get (to grasp). Earliest documented use: 1860.]
NOTES: A good memory is nice, but so is a good forgettery. Certain things
are best left in the past: ancient grudges, past grievances, and old
scores. Embrace that forgettery and wipe the slate clean.
"The Forgettery" by Rachel Ip & Laura Hughes https://wordsmith.org/words/images/forgettery.jpg
Image: Farshore / Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Forgettery-imaginative-celebrating-grandparent-sensitively/dp/1405294760/
"We carry along such a heart full of the injuries that other people
have done us ... We need schools of memory, but we need schools of
forgettery, even more."
Ralph Albert Parlette; The University of Hard Knocks; Parlette-Padget;
1917.
"The forgettery is, apparently, something of a family tradition. 'My
mother has one. I think her mother had one. Stuff that actually
doesn't matter goes in there. Stuff that's not important, stuff that
if you carried it with you would be a burden,' [says Therese Rein]."
Penny Wong; Homework in on Time or It's Double Dissolution for You;
The Australian (Canberra); Sep 24, 2009.
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Date: Wed Aug 2 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--endarken
X-Bonus: You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had ever been alive. -James Baldwin, writer (2 Aug 1924-1987)
This week's theme: Lesser-known counterparts
endarken (en-DARK-uhn) verb tr.
To make dark, less clear, or gloomy.
[From en- (to cause to) + dark, from Old English deorc (dark). Earliest
documented use: 1569. Its counterpart, implying to bring light or
clarity, is enlighten.]
Endarken cream, $23 https://wordsmith.org/words/images/endarken.jpg
Image: Devoted Creations https://www.amazon.com/Devoted-Creations-ENDARKEN-Tanning-Formula/dp/B019741EJ0
Enlighten cream, $91 https://wordsmith.org/words/images/enlighten.jpg
Image: Skinfinity https://www.skinfinity.com/products/enlighten
"There is nearly no money to be made in painting a happy picture. It
doesn't sell well; no drama. As a result, media-produced news is
likely to endarken our world view."
Bobby Kittredge; Amusings; Trafford; 2013.
"And with the rising and roaring of his voice the perspiration began
to flow, pasting his hair to his forehead, endarkening his clothes
yet more."
Robert J. Begiebing; The Adventures of Allegra Fullerton; University
Press of New England; 1999.
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Date: Thu Aug 3 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--penultimatum
X-Bonus: The world is changed not by the self-regarding, but by men and women prepared to make fools of themselves. -P.D. James, novelist (3 Aug 1920-2014)
This week's theme: Lesser-known counterparts
penultimatum (puh-nuhl-tuh-MAY-tuhm) noun
A demand made before an ultimatum.
[From Latin paene (almost) + ultimus (last). Earliest documented use: 1791.]
https://wordsmith.org/words/images/penultimatum_large.jpg
Illustration: Anu Garg + AI
"Loeser made an ultimatum, which they both knew was at best a penultimatum
or an antepenultimatum."
Ned Beauman; The Teleportation Accident; Sceptre; 2012.
[If you are especially kind, consider giving a preantepenultimatum
https://wordsmith.org/words/preantepenultimate.html as well. -Ed.]
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Date: Fri Aug 4 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--presenteeism
X-Bonus: Ah! what a divine religion might be found out if charity were really made the principle of it instead of faith. -Percy Bysshe Shelley, poet (4 Aug 1792-1822)
This week's theme: Lesser-known counterparts
presenteeism (prez-uhn-TEE-iz-uhm) noun
The practice of being present at work when it's unnecessary or
counterproductive.
[Coined as a counterpart to absenteeism. From present, from Old French
present, from Latin praesens, present participle of praeesse (to be
present), from prae- (pre-) + esse (to be). Ultimately from the Indo-European
root es- (to be), which also gave us is, yes, essence, and sin. Earliest
documented use: 1931.]
NOTES: Presenteeism can manifest in many ways: working while sick, staying
late, working on weekends, not taking earned vacations, and so on. Why do
people engage in it? Reasons may include job insecurity, dependence on
wages, or a sense of indispensability. Don't confuse presenteeism with
presentiment https://wordsmith.org/words/presentiment.html or
presentism https://wordsmith.org/words/presentism.html .
https://wordsmith.org/words/images/presenteeism_large.jpg
Image: @ 2022 Noigroup, used with permission https://www.noigroup.com/noijam/absenteeism-presenteeism-pain-impact-on-childhood-occupation/
"There is a growing appreciation among businesses that working smarter, not
harder, is more productive than presenteeism."
Why Working Nine to Five Is No Longer a Way to make a Living; The Guardian
(London, UK); Aug 22, 2018.
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Date: Mon Aug 7 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--culminant
X-Bonus: No amount of belief makes something a fact. -James Randi, magician and skeptic (7 Aug 1928-2020)
Some words are overused: great, interesting,* and nice, for example. These
adjectives have been diluted to the point that they often don't mean a
thing.
Everything from breakfast cereal to groundbreaking scientific discovery
gets described as great.
When you respond with "Interesting!" to what a neighbor said, maybe his
views are engaging. More likely, you are just being polite and don't want
to say what you really want to say: "Wow! He believes Bill Gates is
implanting chips via vaccines."
And don't get me started on the word nice.
Let's give the overused adjectives a rest. Instead, this week we offer
a set of fresh adjectives -- some positive, some negative -- but none
of them merely great.
What are some words you feel are overused to the point of being meaningless?
Share on our website https://wordsmith.org/words/culminant.html
or email us at words@wordsmith.org. As always, include your location
(city, state).
*Fun fact: In the past, the word interesting was used as a euphemism for
pregnancy. Example: Mrs. Smith is in an interesting condition.
culminant (KUHL-muh-nuhnt) adjective
Being at or reaching the highest point.
[From Latin culminare (to crown), from culmen (summit). Earliest documented
use: 1605.]
https://wordsmith.org/words/images/culminant_large.jpg
Illustration: Anu Garg + AI
"Like Nat King Cole, Del McCoury set out to be a crack instrumentalist
and -- thanks to an unexpected career bend -- wound up the culminant
vocalist in his field."
Michael Gray; Cold Hard Facts; Nashville Banner (Tennessee); Jan 23, 1997.
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Date: Tue Aug 8 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--perficient
X-Bonus: In science one tries to tell people, in such a way as to be understood by everyone, something that no one ever knew before. But in the case of poetry, it's the exact opposite. -Paul Dirac, theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate (8 Aug 1902-1984)
This week's theme: Adjectives
perficient (puhr-FISH-uhnt) adjective
Accomplishing or achieving desired results; effective.
[From Latin perficere (to accomplish), from per- (thoroughly) + -ficere,
a combining form of facere (to make or do). Earliest documented use: 1641.]
Save up to 100% When you don't buy things you don't need. https://wordsmith.org/words/images/perficient_large.jpg
Image: Rob Price / Redbubble https://www.redbubble.com/i/art-print/Donandamp-39-t-fall-for-the-hype-by-wanungara/12325130.1G4ZT
"He's just a mite slower than the rest of us more perficient punchers."
Jarold L. Hampton; Night of the Bull; Covenant Books; 2022.
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Date: Wed Aug 9 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--reprehensible
X-Bonus: The principal goal of education in the schools should be creating men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done; men and women who are creative, inventive, and discoverers, who can be critical and verify, and not accept, everything they are offered. -Jean Piaget, psychologist (9 Aug 1896-1980)
This week's theme: Adjectives
reprehensible (ruh-pri-HEN-suh-buhl) adjective
Deserving criticism or condemnation.
[From Latin reprehendere (to hold back, to censure), from re- (intensive)
+ prehendere (to seize). Ultimately from the Indo-European root ghend-/ghed-
(to seize or to take), which is also the source of pry, prey, spree, reprise,
surprise, osprey, prison, impregnable https://wordsmith.org/words/impregnable.html ,
impresa https://wordsmith.org/words/impresa.html ,
prise https://wordsmith.org/words/prise.html , and
reprehend https://wordsmith.org/words/reprehend.html . Earliest documented use: 1384.]
See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/reprehensible
https://wordsmith.org/words/images/reprehensible_large.jpg
Illustration: Anu Garg + AI
"Economists should treat threats to future lives as just as morally
reprehensible as present threats to our own."
Future Lives Matter; The Economist (London, UK); Dec 8, 2018.
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Date: Thu Aug 10 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--nondescript
X-Bonus: Monsters remain human beings. In fact, to reduce them to a subhuman level is to exonerate them of their acts of terrorism and mass murder -- just as animals are not deemed morally responsible for killing. Insisting on the humanity of terrorists is, in fact, critical to maintaining their profound responsibility for the evil they commit. And, if they are human, then they must necessarily not be treated in an inhuman fashion. You cannot lower the moral baseline of a terrorist to the subhuman without betraying a fundamental value. -Andrew Sullivan, writer (b. 10 Aug 1963)
This week's theme: Adjectives
nondescript (non-di-SKRIPT) adjective
1. Without distinctive qualities.
2. Not belonging to a particular class.
[From non- (not) + Latin descriptus, past participle of describere (to
describe), from de- (off) + scribere (to write). Ultimately from the
Indo-European root skribh- (to cut, separate, or sift) that has resulted
in other terms such as manuscript, subscribe, scripture, scribble,
describe, circumflex, and circumspect. Earliest documented use: 1669.]
See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/nondescript
https://wordsmith.org/words/images/nondescript_large.jpg
Illustration: Anu Garg + AI
"Since he took over as Peru's president two years ago, Martín Vizcarra,
an otherwise nondescript politician, has not flinched from taking bold
decisions."
Bello Wisdom and Witlessness; The Economist (London, UK); Apr 4, 2020.
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Date: Fri Aug 11 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--ostrobogulous
X-Bonus: Courage without conscience is a wild beast. -Robert Green Ingersoll, lawyer and orator (11 Aug 1833-1899)
This week's theme: Adjectives
ostrobogulous (ah-struh-BOG-yuh-luhs) adjective
Unusual; bizarre; risqué or indecent.
[Coined by writer Victor Neuburg (1883-1940). A fanciful formation from
either Greek oestrous/estrous (heat or rut) or ostreon (oyster) + bog
(dirt) + -ulous (full of). Earliest documented use: 1951.]
"I hope you are not sleepy, because there's a cluster of eggs waiting for you in the bathtub."
https://wordsmith.org/words/images/ostrobogulous_large.jpg
Cartoon: Wayno & Piraro https://www.facebook.com/bizarrocomics/
"Father, you know, doesn't approve of novels. A tissue of ostrobogulous
lies, he calls them. With the writer laughing behind each page at the
reader's gullibility."
Charles Johnson; Oxherding Tale: A Novel; Scribner; 2005.
"The magnificent Roz Chast's illustrations are, well, ostrobogulous."
Michael Pakenham; Editor's Choice; The Sun (Baltimore, Maryland);
Apr 6, 2003.
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Date: Mon Aug 14 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--schemozzle
X-Bonus: Usually, terrible things that are done with the excuse that progress requires them are not really progress at all, but just terrible things. -Russell Baker, columnist and author (14 Aug 1925-2019)
God gives burdens, also shoulders. This saying is popularly known as a
Yiddish proverb. It's actually of more recent origin, https://www.commentary.org/articles/reader-letters/burdens-shoulders-and-president-carter/
though it could very well have been as it captures the spirit. Yiddish
speakers throughout history have known a thing or two about burdens. Yet,
they persevered through it all. So did their language.
Born over a millennium ago, Yiddish emerged as the linguistic progeny
of Middle High German, imbued with elements of Slavic and Hebrew, and
sprinkled with a dash of Aramaic. The resulting tongue is a hearty
cholent, a stew of languages, simmering with influences from nearly every
country where Jews have set foot.
It's a language brimming with zest, humor, and an uncanny ability to
articulate life's profoundest ironies or the simple joy of a perfectly
toasted bagel, especially one with a tasty schmear https://wordsmith.org/words/schmeer.html.
Even when faced with near extinction during the Holocaust, Yiddish
demonstrated tenacity akin to a bubbe (grandmother) standing up to anyone
from a surly teenager to a neighborhood bully.
A language is a custodian of yesterday's whispers. Also, its laments and
laughter. Through its long history, Yiddish has recorded it all. This week,
we'll feature five words from Yiddish that have been borrowed into the
English language.
schemozzle or shemozzle (shuh-MAH-zuhl) noun
1. A state of chaos or confusion.
2. A quarrel or commotion.
[From Yiddish schlimazel (someone consistently unlucky)
https://wordsmith.org/words/schlimazel.html, from shlim (bad, wrong) +
mazl (luck). Earliest documented use: 1885.]
See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/schemozzle
1996 All Ireland Football: Meath v. Mayo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLTNKPCU_Lw (<1 min.)
"It was in the living room, so the fish tank starts overflowing, it was
there for about 10 minutes and it's flooded the whole dining area and
kitchen area and then my spaghetti bolognese was burnt. It was a complete
schemozzle."
Laugh-A-Minute Tiger Reaches 150 Games; The Age (Melbourne, Australia);
Apr 8, 2023.
"The game was pockmarked by several shemozzles and on two occasions it
involved the replacements, a crazy situation that unnecessarily fanned
frayed tempers."
John O'Sullivan; Connacht Emerge on Top in Another Test of Character;
Irish Times (Dublin); May 15, 2021.
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Date: Tue Aug 15 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--punim
X-Bonus: Solitude, though it may be silent as light, is like light, the mightiest of agencies; for solitude is essential to man. All men come into this world alone; all leave it alone. -Thomas De Quincey, writer (15 Aug 1785-1859)
This week's theme: Words borrowed from Yiddish
punim (POO-nuhm) noun
The face.
[From Yiddish ponem (face), from Hebrew panim (face). Earliest documented use: 1965.]
Shayne Punim Underneath https://wordsmith.org/words/images/punim_large.jpg
Image: Jewishmoments / Redbubble https://www.redbubble.com/i/mask/Shayne-Punim-by-jewishmoments/51535677.9G0D8
"Barristers are updating their business cards from Queen's Counsel to
King's ... A new pound is being minted, with a new royal punim."
Jason Farago; A Dynasty Aided By Creative Allies; The New York Times;
Oct 11, 2022.
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Date: Wed Aug 16 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--mishpocha
X-Bonus: Eminent posts make great men greater, and little men less. -Jean de La Bruyere, essayist and moralist (16 Aug 1645-1696)
This week's theme: Words borrowed from Yiddish
mishpocha, mishpucha, or mishpacha (mish-PAW-khuh, -POOKH-uh) noun
An extended family or clan.
[From Yiddish mishpokhe (family), from Hebrew mishpakha (family). Earliest documented use: 1859.]
See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/mishpocha
https://wordsmith.org/words/images/mishpocha_large.jpg
Cartoon: Paul Solomons http://www.daftoons.com/
"Was I invited to family dinner because Tatiana considered me mishpocha?"
Deborah Wilde; Ace of Shades; Te Da Media; 2022.
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Date: Thu Aug 17 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--ooftish
X-Bonus: I speak two languages, Body and English. -Mae West, actress, playwright, singer, screenwriter, and comedian (17 Aug 1893-1980)
This week's theme: Words borrowed from Yiddish
ooftish (OOF-tish) noun
Money or cash.
[From Yiddish gelt afn tish (money on the table), from gelt (money) +
af (on) + tish (table). Earliest documented use: 1877.]
Floyd Mayweather: Money on the table https://wordsmith.org/words/images/ooftish_large.jpg
Image: @moneyyaya / @floydmayweather https://www.instagram.com/p/BzgtylNFhqE
"It's no good scrapping with your governor, because he's got the ooftish."
William Somerset Maugham; Mrs. Craddock; William Heinemann; 1902.
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Date: Fri Aug 18 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--narrischkeit
X-Bonus: Dreams heed no borders, the eyes need no visas. With eyes shut I walk across the line in time. All the time. -Gulzar, poet, lyricist, and film director (b. 18 Aug 1934)
This week's theme: Words borrowed from Yiddish
narrischkeit or narrishkeit (NAHR-ish-kyt/kayt) noun
Foolishness; nonsense.
[From Yiddish narishkeyt, from narish (foolish), from nar (fool), from
German Narr (fool). Earliest documented use: 1892.]
https://wordsmith.org/words/images/narrischkeit_large.jpg
Illustration: Anu Garg + AI
"Salter said, 'I'm not going to get involved in this petty nonsense.
It's narrishkeit.'"
John L. Mitchell; Out of the Gate in Beverly Hills; Los Angeles Times;
Oct 25, 1987.
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Date: Mon Aug 21 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--gilded cage
X-Bonus: Life cannot be classified in terms of a simple neurological ladder, with human beings at the top; it is more accurate to talk of different forms of intelligence, each with its strengths and weaknesses. This point was well demonstrated in the minutes before last December's tsunami, when tourists grabbed their digital cameras and ran after the ebbing surf, and all the 'dumb' animals made for the hills. -B.R. Myers, author (b. 21 Aug 1963)
A language is a quilt stitched with stories from epochs past. Each word
unfolds a tale, and its literal meaning is often just the beginning. It
means more than what it means when used idiomatically.
We often borrow from one context to illuminate another. Consider the word
grasp. While it literally means to physically hold or seize something,
figuratively it's used to denote understanding, as in grasping a concept.
In the same vein, when we talk about the roots of a problem, we aren't
speaking of actual plant roots but drawing from nature to convey the
origins of a situation.
Limiting words to their literal interpretations is to miss the rich
tapestry of stories, cultures, and histories they encapsulate. A gilded
cage could only be a gold-plated enclosure if we wanted. But why would we?
Metaphors are where the magic is.
This week, join us as we explore five terms, unraveling their figurative
beauty woven into our language.
Do you have a story relating to the figurative expressions featured this
week? Share on our website https://wordsmith.org/words/gilded_cage.html
or email us at words@wordsmith.org. As always, include your location (city,
state).
gilded cage (GIL-did kayj) noun
A place or situation that's superficially attractive but confining.
[Alluding to a bird in a gilded cage, which may be shiny and beautiful,
but ultimately it still imprisons the bird. From gilded (coated with
a thin layer of gold) + cage. Earliest documented use: 1693.]
"The Gilded Cage" 1908 https://wordsmith.org/words/images/gilded_cage_large.jpg
Art: Saint George Hare https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gilded_Cage_(Saint_George_Hare_painting)
"Charles is little more than a dilettante, living a life of useless
luxury in a gilded cage. The sooner Canada grows up and removes the
anachronism of the monarchy the better."
Frank Malone; King and Country; The Globe and Mail (Toronto, Canada);
May 9, 2023.
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Date: Tue Aug 22 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--cheeseparing
X-Bonus: Love is like quicksilver in the hand. Leave the fingers open and it stays. Clutch it, and it darts away. -Dorothy Parker, author (22 Aug 1893-1967)
This week's theme: Terms used figuratively
cheeseparing (CHEEZ-pair-ing)
noun: 1. The act of saving by using extremely frugal measures.
2. Something of little value.
adjective: 1. Meanly economical.
2. Insignificant; spare; thin.
[From the idea of cutting off thin slices of cheese equated with stinginess.
From cheese, from Old English cese (cheese) + pare, from Old French parer
(to prepare, trim), from Latin parare (to prepare). Earliest documented use:
1573.]
See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/cheeseparing
https://wordsmith.org/words/images/cheeseparing_large.jpg
Illustration: Anu Garg + AI
"I/you/we shall never possess even a cheeseparing of that greatness."
Michael Paterniti; Driving Mr. Albert: A Trip Across America With
Einstein's Brain; Harper's Magazine (New York); Oct 1997.
"It does not begin to be good enough for Sunak to impose another round
of cheeseparing austerity."
Martin Wolf; The Tories Need to Abandon Their Shibboleths; Financial
Times (London, UK); Nov 14, 2022.
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Date: Wed Aug 23 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--cold feet
X-Bonus: A few cobras in your home will soon clear it of rats and mice. Of course, you will still have the cobras. -Will Cuppy, journalist (23 Aug 1884-1949)
This week's theme: Terms used figuratively
cold feet (kold feet) noun
A feeling of apprehension or doubt about proceeding with a planned action.
[From cold + foot, from Old English cald (cold) + fot (foot). It's
not known why the expression is cold feet instead of, say, cold fingers.
Earliest documented use: 1893.]
See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/cold%20feet
"Cold Feet" 2006 https://wordsmith.org/words/images/cold_feet_large.jpg
Poster: Pennylane Production https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0831925/
"We thought you'd had cold feet and were chickening out."
Laureen Kwock; One Touch of Paradise; Thomas Bouregy; 1991.
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Date: Thu Aug 24 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--ephemera
X-Bonus: The world is changed by your example, not your opinion. -Paulo Coelho, novelist (b. 24 Aug 1947)
This week's theme: Terms used figuratively
ephemera (i-FEM-uhr-uh) noun
1. Things that last only a short time.
2. Things of no lasting significance.
3. Items such as tickets, postcards, and letters that are intended to
be discarded after use but sometimes become collectibles.
[From Greek ephemera, plural of ephemeros (short-lived), from epi- (upon)
+ hemera (day). Earliest documented use: 1398.]
Milwaukee Bus Passes, 1945 https://wordsmith.org/words/images/ephemera_large.jpg
Image: Kindra Murphy https://www.flickr.com/photos/47058419@N03/8598974672/
"It would be a mistake to dismiss the issues roiling the book business
as ephemera."
Alex Clark; The Publishing Wars; New Statesman (London, UK); Jul 22, 2022.
"The exhibition includes more than 200 items of ephemera, with letters,
photographs, telegrams, manuscripts, copies of The Little Review, and
more."
Gemma Tipton; The Women Who Helped Joyce Make Ulysses; Irish Times
(Dublin); Feb 5, 2022.
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Date: Fri Aug 25 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--golden handcuffs
X-Bonus: Bullets cannot be recalled. They cannot be uninvented. But they can be taken out of the gun. -Martin Amis, novelist (25 Aug 1949-2023)
This week's theme: Terms used figuratively
golden handcuffs (GOL-den hand-kuhfs) noun
Lucrative incentives given to an employee under certain conditions to
discourage them from leaving.
[From the idea of preventing someone from leaving by tying them down
with attractive financial benefits. Earliest documented use: 1964.]
NOTES: Golden handcuffs can be likened to a gilded cage, a situation
that appears desirable but is restrictive. They might be in the form
of stock options, bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and other attractive
benefits designed to retain employees, typically those in senior positions.
Contrarily, lucrative benefits given to an executive on leaving,
voluntarily or involuntarily, are known as a golden parachute.
https://wordsmith.org/words/golden_parachute.html .
https://wordsmith.org/words/images/golden_handcuffs_large.jpg
Illustration: Anu Garg + AI
"'You know I can't change jobs for a couple of years,' She reminded him gently. ...
'Golden handcuffs,' Pete muttered.
'Uh, I think I need to be a top exec to qualify as golden.'
'Base metal?'
She laughed. 'Closer.'
'Handcuffs all the same.'
Jeannie Watt; V is for Valentine; Tule; 2021.
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Date: Mon Aug 28 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--egrote
X-Bonus: Many people take no care of their money till they come nearly to the end of it, and others do just the same with their time. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, poet, dramatist, novelist, and philosopher (28 Aug 1749-1832)
Picking unusual words to feature in A.Word.A.Day is only a small part
of it. A typical entry includes not only the meaning, but also the origin,
pronunciation, and an audio guide, illustration, and usage example or
examples.
I look for usage examples that convey the meaning well. My ideal usage
example is clear, concise, instructive, funny, and clever. As the words
are uncommon, it's hard to find an example that fits all the criteria.
Sometimes a word is so rare I'm lucky to find a usage example. From any
source, from any author. Such is the case with this week's words. So I
recruited AI to come up with examples in the style of various authors.
(To be absolutely clear, the examples are fake quotations from fake books.)
How would you write an example for this week's words in the style of some
well-known author? Share on our website https://wordsmith.org/words/egrote.html
or email us at words@wordsmith.org (include your location: city & state).
egrote (EE-groht) verb intr.
To feign sickness.
[From Latin aegrotus (sick). Earliest documented use: c. 1721.]
"I'm sorry I can't come in today. Yes, I'm afraid I'm very Sikh." https://wordsmith.org/words/images/egrote_large.jpg
Image: Quickmeme http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3tq6o7
"Upon hearing of the impending visit of the talkative Lady Pennington,
Miss Eliza Bennett decided to egrote, theatrically moaning and requesting
tea every hour. Little did she know, Lady Pennington had the same idea
and sent her regrets, citing a most 'sudden and dramatic' ailment."
Jane Austen; The Convenient Colds of Highbury; Hartfield Publishing; 1814.
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Date: Tue Aug 29 00:01:03 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--zenzic
X-Bonus: The decent moderation of today will be the least of human things tomorrow. At the time of the Spanish Inquisition, the opinion of good sense and of the good medium was certainly that people ought not to burn too large a number of heretics; extreme and unreasonable opinion obviously demanded that they should burn none at all. -Maurice Maeterlinck, poet, dramatist, and Nobel laureate (29 Aug 1862-1949)
This week's theme: Words with AI usage examples
zenzic (ZEN-zik)
noun: Square of a number.
adjective: Relating to the square of a number.
[From Latin zensus, alteration of census (square power), a specific sense
development of census (a registration of Roman citizens and their property).
Earliest documented use: 1557.]
https://wordsmith.org/words/images/zenzic_large.jpg
Photo: Imgur https://imgur.com/I4DaYjb
"At the heart of the mystery was a note left on Reginald's desk. 'To unlock
the vault,' it read, 'find the zenzic of the number.' Miss Marple, always
one for cryptic challenges, realized that squared numbers might be the key
to the treasure."
Agatha Christie; Miss Marple and the Zenzic Enigma; Collins Crime Club;
1957.
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Date: Wed Aug 30 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--philomuse
X-Bonus: The heart of a mother is a deep abyss, at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness. -Honore de Balzac, novelist (1799-1850)
This week's theme: Words with AI usage examples
philomuse (FIL-oh-myooz) noun
A poetry lover.
[From Greek philo- (love) + Muse (any of nine goddesses in Greek
mythology who presided over arts and sciences).
https://wordsmith.org/words/muse.html . Earliest documented use: 1654.]
https://wordsmith.org/words/images/philomuse_large.jpg
Image: pxfuel https://www.pxfuel.com/en/free-photo-jwweg
"your touch
a fervent poet's hand
over the canvas of my skin
philomuse, I am
you ignite
the raw verses
of my body's longing"
Rupi Kaur; intimate ink; Bare Essence Publishing; 2021.
[An AI-generated usage example]
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Date: Thu Aug 31 00:01:02 EDT 2023
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--delibate
X-Bonus: The fingers of your thoughts are molding your face ceaselessly. -Charles Reznikoff, poet (31 Aug 1894-1976)
This week's theme: Words with AI usage examples
delibate (DAY-luh-bayt) verb tr.
To take a small amount of something: to taste or sip.
[From Latin de- (from, away) + libare (to take a little of, to taste).
Earliest documented use: 1623.]
https://wordsmith.org/words/images/delibate_large.jpg
Photo: Becky Matsubara https://www.flickr.com/photos/beckymatsubara/39089535924/
"At the heart of Hogsmeade, in a dimly lit corner of The Three Broomsticks,
young wizards would often delibate potions of unknown origins, daring each
other to guess the magical effects from just a tiny sip."
J.K. Rowling; Whispers and Wonders of Hogsmeade; Bloomsbury; Dec 2004.
[An AI-generated usage example]