Wordsmith Talk |
About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us | |||
Register Log In Wordsmith.org Forums General Topics Q&A about words Word Watch
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
I just knew there wouldn't be a consensus on this one. : )
here's the current state:
watchword \-werd\ noun (15c)
1 : a word or phrase used as a sign of recognition among members of the same society, class, or group
2 a : a word or motto that embodies a principle or guide to action of an individual or group : slogan <safety is our watchword>
b : a guiding principle <change is the watchword for both parties>
(C) 1996 Zane Publishing, Inc. and Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
thus, floccinaucinihilipilification is the wwftd watchword.
now, for the rest of the story...
watchword started out with a military sense of, wait for it... password (C 15); later it became the call of a sentinel on his rounds (C 17) or a signal to begin an attack (C 16). Shakespeare transferred this latter sense thus: Which gives the watch word to his hand ful soon, To draw the clowd that hides the silver Moon.
Subsequently it began to be used as in senses 1 and 2 above.
One other, now obsolete, use was as a cautionary word or warning event.
()
Entire Thread Subject Posted By Posted Word Watch Jackie 04/19/02 08:17 PM Re: Word Watch tsuwm 04/19/02 08:48 PM Re: Word Watch wwh 04/19/02 09:00 PM Re: Word Watch Keiva 04/19/02 10:14 PM Re: Word Watch of troy 04/19/02 10:43 PM Re: Word Watch Keiva 04/19/02 11:47 PM Re: Word Watch wwh 04/20/02 12:00 AM Re: Word Watch Jackie 04/20/02 12:31 AM Re: Word Watch wwh 04/20/02 01:13 AM Re: Word Watch maverick 04/20/02 01:42 AM Re: Word Watch Clyde Gittins 04/20/02 08:35 AM Re: Word Watch slithy toves 04/20/02 12:52 PM Re: Word Watch tsuwm 04/20/02 02:41 PM Re: Word Watch Jackie 04/20/02 03:43 PM Re: Word Watch wwh 04/21/02 12:25 AM . Max Quordlepleen 04/21/02 05:25 AM
Moderated by Jackie
Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics Forums16Topics13,913Posts229,361Members9,182 Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members Ineffable, ddrinnan, TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV
9,182 Registered Users
Who's Online Now 0 members (), 751 guests, and 1 robot. Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days) A C Bowden 22
Top Posters wwh 13,858Faldage 13,803Jackie 11,613wofahulicodoc 10,557tsuwm 10,542LukeJavan8 9,919Buffalo Shrdlu 7,210AnnaStrophic 6,511Wordwind 6,296of troy 5,400
Forum Rules · Mark All Read Contact Us · Forum Help · Wordsmith.org