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A.Word.A.Day--onomatopoeia

(on-uh-mat-uh-PEE-uh)noun Pronunciation Sound Clip

noun: The formation or use of words such as buzz or murmur that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to.

[Late Latin, from Greek onomatopoiia, from onomatopoios, coiner of names : onoma, onomat-, name + poiein, to make.]

"I couldn't say the f-word for a while. I would explain the situation and not say the word. It is one of those words that sounds like what it is. I think that is called onomatopoeia. Fired is a harsh cutting word."
Barbara J. Linney; Rising From the Ashes; Physician Executive; Mar 1996.

Why doesn't onomatopoeia sound the way it is?

This week's theme: What would you ask words if you could speak with them?

X-Bonus

The past exists only in our memories, the future only in our plans. The present is our only reality. -Robert Pirsig

What they say

“Garg works in the great tradition of Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis... Garg, however, is more fun.”

Minneapolis Star Tribune


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Anu Garg on words

“A large vocabulary is like an artist having a big palette of colors. We don’t have to use all the colors in a single painting, but it helps to be able to find just the right shade when we need it.”

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