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PROBATIVE

PRONUNCIATION: (PRO-buh-tiv, PROB-uh-)

MEANING: adjective: Serving to test something or providing a proof.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin probare (to test or prove), from probus (upright, good). Ultimately from the Indo-European root per- (forward), which also gave us paramount, prime, proton, prow, German Frau (woman), and Hindi purana (old). Earliest documented use: 1453.
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PROM-BAT-IVE - they're going to use this on the pinata at the Senior dance !

PRO-BATH-IVE - ...and don't you forget to wash behind your ears, either

POO-BA-TIVE - given to pompous and grandiose statements about yourself

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Cobbery- corny themed open mic night
Sobbery- crocodile tear factory
Nobbery- easy to turn door faktory

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JOBBERY

PRONUNCIATION: (JOB-uh-ree)

MEANING: noun: The use of a public office for private gain.

ETYMOLOGY: From jobber (wholesaler; one who does odd jobs), from job, of unknown origin. Earliest documented use: 1769.

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JOBERY - faithful victimness

JOBEERY - Wallace's little sister

JOBBERYL - No. 2 on the jeweler's To-do list, right after Job Amethyst and before Job Citrine

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OSTENSIBLE

PRONUNCIATION: ah-STEN-suh-buhl)

MEANING: adjective: Appearing as such; supposed.

ETYMOLOGY: From French ostensible, from Latin ostendere (to show, stretch out), from ob- (in front of) + tendere (to stretch). Ultimately from the Indo-European root ten- (to stretch), which also gave us tense, tenet, tendon, tent, tenor, tender, pretend, extend, tenure, tetanus, hypotenuse, pertinacious, detente, countenance, distend, extenuate, tenable, tenuous, abstentious, and impertinent. Earliest documented use: 1743.

adjective: Appearing as such; supposed.

ETYMOLOGY: From French ostensible, from Latin ostendere (to show, stretch out), from ob- (in front of) + tendere (to stretch). Ultimately from the Indo-European root ten- (to stretch), which also gave us tense, tenet, tendon, tent, tenor, tender, pretend, extend, tenure, tetanus, hypotenuse, pertinacious, detente, countenance, distend, extenuate, tenable, tenuous, abstentious, and impertinent. Earliest documented use: 1743.
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OSENSIBLE - Irish pragmatism

OSTEN SABLE - a small carnivore found in the forests, flat lands and mountainous areas of east Asia.

OSTENS BIBLE - Holy Writ owned by the author of Jane Eyre

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Osensible- modern day comedy of manners written by, A Chick

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FANE

PRONUNCIATION: (fayn)

MEANING: noun: A place of worship.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin fanum (temple). Earliest documented use: 1400s.
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FANNE - a devotee of women's sports

FAUNE - a girl Bambi

NANE - Sodium Neonide; an inert salt. Doesn't dissolve, doesn't react, doesn't taste, just sits in the bottom of the water-filled beaker and waits. Sort of an anti-Rice-Krispies.

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Arble- a proposal made modest with less garble

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ARABLE

PRONUNCIATION: (AR-uh-buhl)

MEANING: adjective: Suitable for farming.
noun: Land that’s suitable for farming.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin arare (to plow). Earliest documented use: 1400.
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OARABLE - can be rowed

AXABLE - no need to spare that tree, Woodman!

ARABILE - what you read in the Damascus Times

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SHERMANESQUE

PRONUNCIATION: (shur-muh-NESK)

MEANING: adjective:
1. Unequivocal, especially in refusing to run for an office.
2. Brutally thorough, especially in defeating someone.

ETYMOLOGY: After William Tecumseh Sherman, Union general in the American Civil War. Earliest documented use: 1918.

NOTES: The Union general William Tecumseh Sherman didn’t mince words. When he was being considered as a presidential candidate, he said, “I will not accept if nominated and will not serve if elected.” Since then, a categorical statement, especially a denial, is called Shermanesque. Reporters ask politicians if their announcement not to run for an office is Shermanesque to confirm whether they really mean it.

Sherman also didn’t beat around the bush when it came to military campaigns. His soldiers destroyed infrastructure, farms, etc. in their wake. So the term Shermanesque is also used to refer to a scorched-earth approach.

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SHORMANESQUE - like a sailor on leave

SHERPANESQUE - like a Himalayan mountain-climbing guide

SHEMANESQUE - in-your-face transgender

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Hermanesque- Like the 5th Earl of Shroudshire, lovable, good-natured, clumsy, buffoon.

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