The word of the week is OYEZ. I love this one. It comes from three sources- it’s the Latin imperative plural of Oir which is from the Latin word for hear- audire. It also was used in Middle English as well as Old French for Hear which was spelled oiez or oyez.
It is the word used by a court bailiff to command silence and attention and is called out before court goes into session. I love that it’s an imperative word. Commanding, even.
Sorry I’ve been MIA but I’ve been busy getting my oldest son married.
Today’s word of the day is HYPOCORISTIC. I hadn’t heard this one before and I like it. It rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?
It means “a name of endearment or a pet name” or “a shortened or diminutive of a word or given name”- An example or two would be Mike for Michael, Tony for Anthony, or Betsy for Elizabeth.
The word comes from Greek.
Today’s word is WEIRD. Interestingly, it has two definitions and the one I was thinking of when I decided to use it is the one most commonly used which defines it as “of strange or extraordinary character.” I have had such a day today. I can’t even explain it but today has been strange and extraordinary in so many ways. At one point, I was almost compelled to bang my head on the desktop.
The other definition of weird is ‘of, relating to or caused by witchcraft or the supernatural: Magical”- How have I lived my life thus far and not known that? Did I miss class the day they talked about this? I think it’s interesting that I’ve heard this for the first time in this the month of witchcraft and spells. I love the symmetry of finding this out in the merry month of October.
I did always think it odd- weird even- that the grammar rule of “i before e except after c” was broken in the word weird, didn’t you?
Today’s word is from the Urban Dictionary and I chose it because it’s pretty much how I’ve felt the last few days. The word is BLERG.
This word has several meanings and if you want to check them all out, go here.
In the context of how I mean it, I am in the mode of uninterested in doing anything but I also mean it in the context of anxiety. I need to get interested as I have a lot going on but I’ve stressed myself to the point of wanting to collapse and sleep for a month. I don’t enjoy feeling like this as I’m usually peppy and happy to be alive for another day.
Any recommendations for making this angst go away would be appreciated.
Today’s word is TACIT.
Tact means understood without being said. Sometimes when people ask questions, staying silent can mean that you understand or agree. Silence can be interpreted to mean tacit agreement.
The word comes from Latin – the word tacitus – or be silent.
The word of the day this week is kind of gross. It’s SPITCHCOCK. What the heck do you think that means?
It means an eel that has been split and grilled or that has been fried. I shudder to think of eating eel anyway- and yeah, I know there are some sushi lovers out there but I can’t get past the texture myself.
This week’s word is MIASMA. I’m in the process of polishing a novel I wrote last November during NaNoWriMo and part of the story takes place in a bar. I used the word miasma in one of the scenes. I love this word.
It means a highly unpleasant smell or vapor. If you’ve ever been to New Orleans and down Bourbon Street, the miasma that floats over that are is the smell of stale beer and vomit.
Today’s word is EQUALITY.
The reason I picked it is because today is the 50th anniversary of the “I Have a Dream” speech given by Martin Luther King, Jr. Equality means being the same. In reference to Dr. King’s speech, it relates to the same in status, rights and opportunities. I also have this dream for people of the world. Someday, maybe it will happen.
interesting tidbit- the town where Dr. King gave this speech is between Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama and in 2002, it changed its name to Equality, Alabama. How cool is that?
Today’s word is a doozy. It means a period of five years and it’s fun to day it three times fast. I dare you to do it and not giggle a little. It comes from two root words- Latin for five is quinque and for year is annus. What is the word? It’s QUINQUENNIUM.
How fun is that?
Today’s word is HEIFER. A heifer is a young female cow who has not borne a calf. Here in the south, we use this word as a pejorative when we’re trying our best not to call someone a bad word. I’m kind of sorry for the poor cows but I use the word all the time. Sadly, my most prevalent use lately has been in reference to an old, hateful woman as opposed to a young cow. I have a feeling she was just as bad as a young one, too.
Ramblings of a Writer 