A.Word.A.Day -- AWADmail Issue 1201

A.Word.A.Day

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AWADmail Issue 1201

A Compendium of Feedback on the Words in A.Word.A.Day and Other Tidbits about Words and Language

Sponsor’s Message: “I had a love-hate relationship with the Army. We both loved it before I joined. And we both hated it when I was in.” Johnny Mustard, Yuk, Retired is a highly-fictionalized account of our hero’s ignominious and thankfully brief time as a West Point cadet. Buy Now.

From: Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org)
Subject: Interesting stories from the Net

Did Baby Talk Give Rise to Language?
The New York Times
Permalink

Quebec Says Sports Fans Can Cheer “Go!” in English at Provincial Sports Games
CBC
Permalink

From: Stephen Maynard (stephen.maynard.2015 gmail.com)
Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--pogonotomy

“What a coinkidink!” I’ve been practicing pogonotrophy since Jan 1, 2025, exactly six months ago, with the intention of performing a pogonotomy today, Jul 1, 2025. No particular reason... no challenge, bet, or agreement.

Stephen Maynard, Alamo Heights, Texas

From: Mike Zim (mikewzim gmail.com)
Subject: pogonotomy as a combat tactic

Dateline Windsor, Ontario, Sep, 1942: Wrestler Ivan “Mad Russian” Kalmikoff underwent a pogonotomy for his bout with Wild Bill Zimovich (my father), known for his dirty tactics, such as hair-and-whisker pulling. The Windsor Star)

“Never before has mat villain Kalmikoff been seen here with the abundant foliage missing from his chin and jowls. The Mad Russian claims he parted with the whiskers in order to remove a wrestling hazard in his bout with Zimovich, a resourceful sort of belligerent who wouldn’t miss a target like Ivan’s whiskers.” (The Windsor Star)

Mike Zim, Columbus, Ohio

From: Brenda J. Gannam (gannamconsulting earthlink.net)
Subject: pogonotomy

And any woman who has had an obstetric or gynecological surgical procedure is surely familiar with the pubic pogonotomy.

Brenda J. Gannam, Brooklyn, New York

From: Elizabeth Block (elizabethblock netzero.net)
Subject: Agnoiology

My late friend Elliot Rose, who was a history professor at the University of Toronto, exemplified agnoiology. I used to go to him with questions, mostly about history and/or theology, and if he didn’t know, he KNEW that he didn’t know, and said so. I wish everyone was like that!

Elizabeth Block, Toronto, Canada

From: Jean Marshall (babettesfeast1941 gmail.com)
Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--iteroparous

You said: The spirit of being iteroparous is saying, “That was fun, let’s do it again!” (reproductively speaking).

That reminded me that in 1968 my husband and I prepared for the birth of our first child by attending Lamaze natural childbirth classes for weeks. Then he coached me through the labor, and as soon as the doctor put our little girl on my chest, my husband said very enthusiastically, “That was great! Let’s do it again.”

I did not have the same reaction at that time. However, I did eventually have two more children.

Jean Marshall, Provo, Utah

From: Steve Benko (stevebenko1 gmail.com)
Subject: iteroparous vs. semelparous

I guess there’s no getting around your semelparous nature if you’re a male praying mantis, whose beloved eats your head after mating.

Steve Benko, New York, New York

Email of the Week -- Brought to you buy Johnny Mustard, Yuk, Retired. The Corps Has!

From: David Policansky (davidpolicansky gmail.com)
Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--iteroparous

The terms semelparity and iteroparity were coined by evolutionary biologist Lamont Cole in a famous, seminal paper titled “The population consequences of life history phenomena” (The Quarterly Review of Biology, 1954). He was trying to explain why some organisms reproduce only once and then die, while others reproduce many times over their lifespan. His paper stimulated other smart people to think about the problem and led to a lot of insight.

David Policansky, Nantucket, Massachusetts

From: Bart Xhakli (grllc yahoo.com)
Subject: You and the world

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
In the struggle between yourself and the world, second the world. -Franz Kafka, novelist (3 Jul 1883-1924)

The quote can be interpreted in more than one way.
One interpretation is that when faced with a conflict between your desires and the realities of the world, it might be wiser to align yourself with the world, rather than trying to force your will upon it.

Another perspective suggests the phrase highlights the power dynamics at play. To “second” someone in a duel is to support them, according to a WordPress.com article. This could imply that resisting the “world” (which can be interpreted as societal norms, expectations, or powerful institutions) is ultimately a losing battle. Instead of fighting it, one might find a way to navigate and even support the world, thereby avoiding unnecessary conflict and potential defeat.

A deeper meaning could suggest that by understanding and accepting the way the world works, even its limitations and seemingly absurd aspects, you gain a sense of perspective and might find a path towards happiness and freedom.

Ultimately, the quote encourages a form of acceptance and understanding of the world’s influence, suggesting that resisting it completely might be futile and lead to more suffering than acknowledging its power.

Bart Xhakli, Bronx, New York

From: Cheryl English (cenglish blackcatpottery.com)
Subject: Melanism

Another condition that could be considered the opposite of melanism is leucism, a genetic condition in animals where there is a reduced amount of pigmentation, causing white patches on the skin, fur, feathers, or scales.

Cheryl M. English, Wayne County, Michigan

From: Bryan Todd (bryansink yahoo.com)
Subject: Change in spellings

In “Paradise Lost” (1667) John Milton uses terms that we would think are errors or misspellings today:

In heighth or depth, still first and last will Reign
Sole King, and of his Kingdom loose no part
By our revolt, but over Hell extend
His Empire...

Yes, you’re right: “heighth” was once in common use. And “loose” here means “lose”.

Bryan Todd, Lincoln, Nebraska

From: Alex McCrae (ajmccrae277 gmail.com)
Subject: malison and pogonotomy

On Jun 24, just prior to his boarding the Marine One helicopter, surrounded by a gaggle of White House reporters, an irate Trump dropped an F-bomb. He said, “We basically have two countries (Iran and Israel) that have been fighting so long, so hard, that they don’t know what the f**k they’re doing!”

Even the mere suggestion of cutting Santa’s beard might be viewed by many as sacrilege. After all, he is St. Nick. Ha! As global warming continues to take its toll on his North Pole home, even Santa is not immune. But no worries. By the time Xmas season rolls around, Santa’s beard will have filled out to its splendiferous fulsomeness. Ho! Ho! Ho!

Alex McCrae, Van Nuys, California

Anagrams


	This week’s theme: Unusual antonyms Malison Pogonotomy Agnoiology Iteroparous Melanism	=	Oath Smooth skin Wise may use ‘agnotology’ Amorous union’ll issue many More pigment, not pale
			-Julian Lofts, Auckland, New Zealand (jalofts xtra.co.nz)
=	So, say your emotions! Goal: a smooth male trim Unknown option Multiple issue Mahogany genes	=	Ominous oath Aim to tonsure male mug Why someone is ignorant n silly E.g. Papa Elon Musk Sooty
	-Dharam Khalsa, Burlington, North Carolina (dharamkk2 gmail.com)		-Shyamal Mukherji, Mumbai, India (mukherjis hotmail.com)

Make your own anagrams and animations.

Limericks

malison

There’s a malison that I have borne
And been subject to self-righteous scorn.
I am not being coy.
I admit I enjoy
My addiction to piping hot porn.
-Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com)

Oh, Donald your language is blue,
And malisons you often spew.
Moms are flipping their lids
When you’re heard by their kids --
An awful role model are you!
-Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com)

She cried, “I am under a curse.
My life’s gone from bad to much worse.”
Her mother said, “Allison,
There isn’t a malison.
You’ll soon see your fortunes reverse.”
-Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com)

A girl I broke up with named Alison
Invoked on my head a strange malison:
“For not being loyaler,
A real bunny boiler
Will find you, despite any talisman.”
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

pogonotomy

D’ya know what pogonotomy means?
Those five syllables say that he preens!
He’s worth your attention
(Don’t bother to mention
He’s built like some Greek figurines!)
-Bindy Bitterman, Chicago, Illinois (bindy eurekaevanston.com)

Now Fred knew he had a weird beard.
It chased away girls, so he feared.
He thought that there ought to be,
A quick pogonotomy.
His clean-shaven face was soon cheered.
-Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com)

In an earthquake, a botched pogonotomy
Could result in a frontal lobotomy.
Even worse, you could drop
That sharp blade, and then whop!
You will never beget any progeny.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

agnoiology

Agnoiology helps to explain
How things work in this foolish man’s brain.
No books will he read.
He thinks there’s no need --
Understanding is something he’ll feign.
-Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com)

“As part of my genius psychology,
I know nothing, and make no apology,”
Said Donald. “My gut
Is what tells me what’s what.”
He’s a great way to teach agnoiology.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

iteroparous

I once had a bunny named Maris,
When I lived on a farm outside Paris.
And since it’s the habit
Of breeds like a rabbit,
My Maris was iteroparous.
-Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com)

“From birth control Church doctrines bar us,
And that’s why we’re iteroparous,”
Said the Catholics. “In cars
At night under the stars,
We conceive by the light of Polaris.”
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

melanism

My dad had red hair, that’s for sure.
My mom was a blonde with allure.
But MY hair is black
And I’m getting much flak.
Melanism, I have to endure.”
-Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com)

A mutation makes some creatures black;
They’ve a pigment that most others lack.
Melanism, you know,
Turns them black as a crow --
Mother Nature for change has a knack.
-Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com)

“Our country is plagued by a schism,
The result of too much melanism,”
Stephen Miller declared.
“But fear not, don’t be scared!
We will fight them with white despotism!”
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

Puns

“Their leaders place outright malison top of dishonesty, yet Earthlings still vote for them,” mused the puzzled Martians.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

“Most elements on the periodic chart have their own fields of study,” said the chemistry professor. “But this is not true of silver. For #47, agnoiology exists because it’s made into coins, tableware, and jewelry as fast as it’s mined.”
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

“Why doth Menelaus take so long to rescue me from thy clutches? I am deeply b-iteroparous,” lamented Helen.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

“This character Pogonotomy liking,” said Oog reading the first-ever Sunday comics.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

She hated her husband’s collection of old newspaper comics, and started her cleaning with a Pogonotomy.
-Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com)

“Doc, I can’t get past my prejudice against cantaloupe and honeydew.”
“Ah! Zees ees classic case of obsessive-compulsive melanism.”
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

“Water-melanism-y favorite part of summer,” said the happy little child.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

All the arguments to prove man’s superiority cannot shatter this hard fact: in suffering the animals are our equals. -Dallas Pratt, psychiatrist (21 Aug 1914-1994)

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