Noun
a minor flaw or shortcoming in character or behavior; weakness
the "oible" part is just so much fun to say
Minutia
noun.
a minute or minor detail
I am fond of the small scale and especially any word beginning in min- (i.e. minute (adj.), miniatures, minibar, minimal), but none are s fun to say as minutia, especially in the pluralized form.
a minute or minor detail
I am fond of the small scale and especially any word beginning in min- (i.e. minute (adj.), miniatures, minibar, minimal), but none are s fun to say as minutia, especially in the pluralized form.
Conundrum
noun.
a question or problem having only a conjectural answer, an intricate and difficult problem
Listen up!
I know this word as the secondary definition listed above. The first definition is new (and quite interesting) to me. "a riddle whose answer is or involves a pun" I found some on the Old Farmer's Almanac website that are sufficiently nerdy. Enjoy!
a question or problem having only a conjectural answer, an intricate and difficult problem
Listen up!
I know this word as the secondary definition listed above. The first definition is new (and quite interesting) to me. "a riddle whose answer is or involves a pun" I found some on the Old Farmer's Almanac website that are sufficiently nerdy. Enjoy!
verb.
to use the Google search engine to obtain information on the World Wide Web
Click the image to hear the pronunciation.
The word "google" is kind of funny - all of those o's and g's, but I just love how "google" is common vernacular. I am anticipating the day that "wikipedia" takes off as a verb, even if it doesn't roll off the tongue as well. In the mean time, it is in the Wiktionary so at least I know I am not the only one who tries to say "wikipediaing" in a sentence.
to use the Google search engine to obtain information on the World Wide Web
Click the image to hear the pronunciation.
The word "google" is kind of funny - all of those o's and g's, but I just love how "google" is common vernacular. I am anticipating the day that "wikipedia" takes off as a verb, even if it doesn't roll off the tongue as well. In the mean time, it is in the Wiktionary so at least I know I am not the only one who tries to say "wikipediaing" in a sentence.
Salacious
adjective.
arousing or appealing to sexual desire or imagination
Such a great sounding word, it is a shame the Merriam-Webster man doesn't sound so into it.
arousing or appealing to sexual desire or imagination
Such a great sounding word, it is a shame the Merriam-Webster man doesn't sound so into it.
Sweatpants
noun.
pants having a drawstring or elastic waist and usually elastic cuffs at the ankle that are worn especially for exercise.
This post is for Jessica at the Memphis Taproom. She loves this word. However, we both agreed sweatpants may be a good word, but NOT a good thing.
I also really just wanted to hear the merriam-webster man say it!
pants having a drawstring or elastic waist and usually elastic cuffs at the ankle that are worn especially for exercise.
This post is for Jessica at the Memphis Taproom. She loves this word. However, we both agreed sweatpants may be a good word, but NOT a good thing.
I also really just wanted to hear the merriam-webster man say it!
Meniscus
noun.
so many definitions...
1: a crescent or crescent-shaped body
2: a concavo-convex lens
3: the curved upper surface of a column of liquid
4: a fibrous cartilage within a joint especially of the knee
This word was inspired by the film "John Tucker Must Die".
Thank you bad teenage movies for sometimes having chemistry scenes where cool words are used.
sound bite 101
so many definitions...
1: a crescent or crescent-shaped body
2: a concavo-convex lens
3: the curved upper surface of a column of liquid
4: a fibrous cartilage within a joint especially of the knee
This word was inspired by the film "John Tucker Must Die".
Thank you bad teenage movies for sometimes having chemistry scenes where cool words are used.
sound bite 101
Hyperbole
noun.
extravagant exaggeration
Because I am such an eloquent speaker, I use about a billion hyperboles in daily conversation.
The Merriam-Webster lady sounds like a robot to me.
extravagant exaggeration
Because I am such an eloquent speaker, I use about a billion hyperboles in daily conversation.
The Merriam-Webster lady sounds like a robot to me.
Jinx
there's two! definitions.
1: noun.
one that brings bad luck.
2:transitive verb. (ohhh.)
to foredoom to failure or misfortune.
or....to say something at the same time as someone else and they owe you a soda!
listen! and you owe me a coke!
1: noun.
one that brings bad luck.
2:transitive verb. (ohhh.)
to foredoom to failure or misfortune.
or....to say something at the same time as someone else and they owe you a soda!
listen! and you owe me a coke!
Smarmy
adjective.
revealing or marked by a smug, ingratiating, or false earnestness
I find myself using this word most often to describe politicians I don't like. And now, Mr. Merriam-Webster saying it.
revealing or marked by a smug, ingratiating, or false earnestness
I find myself using this word most often to describe politicians I don't like. And now, Mr. Merriam-Webster saying it.
Double Post: Flotsam and Jetsum
noun
the part of the wreckage of a ship and its cargo found floating on the water.
noun
goods cast overboard deliberately, as to lighten a vessel or improve its stability in an emergency, which sink where jettisoned or are washed ashore
the part of the wreckage of a ship and its cargo found floating on the water.
noun
goods cast overboard deliberately, as to lighten a vessel or improve its stability in an emergency, which sink where jettisoned or are washed ashore
Firkin
noun.
a small wooden vessel or cask.
an olde* English measurement of about 1/4 a barrel.
*hehe. Who spells old like that, and how do stores or "shoppes" decide on this crappy style to name their businesses?!?!?! ie. The Fairmount Pet Shoppe. ugh.
Anyway, firkin's are awesome.
a small wooden vessel or cask.
an olde* English measurement of about 1/4 a barrel.
*hehe. Who spells old like that, and how do stores or "shoppes" decide on this crappy style to name their businesses?!?!?! ie. The Fairmount Pet Shoppe. ugh.
Anyway, firkin's are awesome.
Frass
noun.
debris or excrement produced by insects
shout out to Tara's new roommate, Fred.
and literally, the Merriam Webster fellow saying, "frass!"
debris or excrement produced by insects
shout out to Tara's new roommate, Fred.
and literally, the Merriam Webster fellow saying, "frass!"
Loquacious
adjective.
Full of excessive talk.
listen!
a synonym is Garrulous. Also a ridiculous word.
What a tongue twister.
Full of excessive talk.
listen!
a synonym is Garrulous. Also a ridiculous word.
What a tongue twister.
Ramekin
Noun
A small dish in which food can be baked or served.
Sometimes ramekins hold delicious dipping sauces like aoli mayonnaise......mmmmmmmmmm.
A small dish in which food can be baked or served.
Sometimes ramekins hold delicious dipping sauces like aoli mayonnaise......mmmmmmmmmm.
Ubiquitous
adjective.
Existing or being everywhere at the same time: constantly encountered.
just a good sounding word.
Existing or being everywhere at the same time: constantly encountered.
just a good sounding word.
Anti Good Words: In otherwords Bad Words.
Alright I'm not sure if this should be an offshoot of this blog or not but I was thinking there are some pretty awful words out there. Should they hold a place of shame amongst these hallowed halls of blog-dom? Any way, if ya'll agree then I think you know what the first word is.....
Innocuous
Adjective
Producing no injury, harmless
This word is right up there with Nefarious in sounding like it should be part of some old horror movie starring Bella Lugosi. Although Bella would be more "nefarious" and less "innocuous."
*Pushes glasses up on face, makes nerdy slurping noise*
Producing no injury, harmless
This word is right up there with Nefarious in sounding like it should be part of some old horror movie starring Bella Lugosi. Although Bella would be more "nefarious" and less "innocuous."
*Pushes glasses up on face, makes nerdy slurping noise*
Flabbergasted
Adjective
To cause or to be overcome with astonishment, to astound.
What an awesome word!
To cause or to be overcome with astonishment, to astound.
What an awesome word!
Wonky
adjective.
slang; shaky, groggy, or unsteady.
Apparently it also has inflections!
Wonkier, and Wonkiest.
Awesome!
merriam-webster lady!
woah where's the dude on this one?
slang; shaky, groggy, or unsteady.
Apparently it also has inflections!
Wonkier, and Wonkiest.
Awesome!
merriam-webster lady!
woah where's the dude on this one?
Jargon
noun.
a strange, outlandish, or barbarous language or dialect
I love words that sound like their meaning.
a strange, outlandish, or barbarous language or dialect
I love words that sound like their meaning.
Gooey
adjective.
of, or related to goo; soft, sticky and viscous
I won't lie, I thought of this word because I just wanted to listen to the Merriam-Webster man say it.
of, or related to goo; soft, sticky and viscous
I won't lie, I thought of this word because I just wanted to listen to the Merriam-Webster man say it.
Antidisestablishmentarianism
noun.
political position that opposes the withdrawal of state recognition of an established church.
So what makes this such a great word?!?!!?
Two main reasons, the first is the controversy over the fact that people state it as the longest English speaking word. Which, sad to say, is not true. However there is so much reading material on it I think you could exhaust one day. Here's just one page.
Second reason? This word is the culprit for me failing 4th grade spelling one term. Yes. Lame, I know. We got to choose our own spelling words that year, and for some damn reason all the cool kids picked insanely hard words including our friend, antidisestablishmentarianism. I failed test after test, because I couldn't spell it, or for that matter the other hard words I had picked. Finally the teacher had to step in and tell me to choose easier words. However, I'm happy to report that I can spell ANTI-DIS-ESTABLISHMENT-ARIAN-ISM just fine now, and I eventually passed 4th grade spelling.
political position that opposes the withdrawal of state recognition of an established church.
So what makes this such a great word?!?!!?
Two main reasons, the first is the controversy over the fact that people state it as the longest English speaking word. Which, sad to say, is not true. However there is so much reading material on it I think you could exhaust one day. Here's just one page.
Second reason? This word is the culprit for me failing 4th grade spelling one term. Yes. Lame, I know. We got to choose our own spelling words that year, and for some damn reason all the cool kids picked insanely hard words including our friend, antidisestablishmentarianism. I failed test after test, because I couldn't spell it, or for that matter the other hard words I had picked. Finally the teacher had to step in and tell me to choose easier words. However, I'm happy to report that I can spell ANTI-DIS-ESTABLISHMENT-ARIAN-ISM just fine now, and I eventually passed 4th grade spelling.
Tomfoolery
noun.
foolish or silly behavior, tomfoolishness
This word is just positively ridiculous and amazing. It sounds so lighthearted and jovial which is another wonderful word.
foolish or silly behavior, tomfoolishness
This word is just positively ridiculous and amazing. It sounds so lighthearted and jovial which is another wonderful word.
Snarky
adjective.
crotchety, snappish, irreverent tone or manner.
listen hear!!!!(pun intended)
got to love merriam-webster.
and wow i'm a nerd.
crotchety, snappish, irreverent tone or manner.
listen hear!!!!(pun intended)
got to love merriam-webster.
and wow i'm a nerd.
Onomatopoeia
(noun)
the naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it
I think the word onomatopoeia is just about as much fun to say as are words classified as onomatopoeias. List to the Merriam-Webster man say it here! Also, I could get into my favorite onomatopoeias, but that might call for its own blog post...
the naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it
I think the word onomatopoeia is just about as much fun to say as are words classified as onomatopoeias. List to the Merriam-Webster man say it here! Also, I could get into my favorite onomatopoeias, but that might call for its own blog post...
Chortle
verb.
to chuckle gleefully
"chortle is a funny word"
little known fact: Lewis Carroll was the coiner of the word in Alice in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass. He combined the words chuckle and snort for a hilarious combination. Thanks Lewis, you pedophile, you.
to chuckle gleefully
"chortle is a funny word"
little known fact: Lewis Carroll was the coiner of the word in Alice in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass. He combined the words chuckle and snort for a hilarious combination. Thanks Lewis, you pedophile, you.
Gregarious
adjective.
tending to associate with others of one's kind.
reason for liking.... it's fun to say.
tending to associate with others of one's kind.
reason for liking.... it's fun to say.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)