Word of the Day – July 14th, 2008

Tendentious
adj.
Having or showing a definite tendency or bias; partisan.
Prepare for some tendentious broadcasting from Tim McCarver during tomorrow’s MLB All-Star game. Let me take a wild stab: Derek Jeter will be described as the best defensive shortstop the game has ever seen.

Word of the Day – June 9, 2008

Picayune
noun and adj.
As adjective: of little value, trifling; also: petty, small-minded, prejudiced. As noun: an insignificant person or thing.
A “Picayune” was originally a Spanish coin that was used in Spanish territories as well as colonial America. Surprisingly, Spanish tender was made legal tender in the United States in 1793 until it was demonetized in 1857. [...]

Word of the Day – July 8, 2008

Ribald
adj.
Vulgar or indecent in speech, crude, offensive, irreverent.
Try to be ribald at least once a day, it’s good for the health.

Word of the Day – July 7, 2008

Anodyne
adj. and noun.
As adjective: alleviating pain; soothing to the mind or feelings. As noun: something that calms or comforts; a medicine or drug that relieves pain.
From Greek, a conjugation of an- ”without” + odyne ”pain.” Odyne was the minor Greek Goddess of pain.
Now for all of the fanboys and cinemaphiles out there, you’re probably familiar with the word “Cyberdyne” [...]

Word of the Day – July 1st, 2008

Importune
verb.
To beg or demand for something persistently.
Another useful word for election season as we grow tired of politicians importuning us for our votes.

Word of the Day – June 30th, 2008

Baleful
adj.
Deadly or insidious in influence [as in a baleful effect]; threatening evil [as in a baleful look]
I always believed this word should mean “sad” or “morose.” Not that there’s anything wrong with the meaning as is, but “baleful” always felt like a more passive word rather than an aggressive one.

Word of the Day – June 27, 2008

Epigone
noun.
An inferior imitator, particularly of a writer, musician, or artist.
This word has an interesting derivation. Originally it came from the Greek word “Epigoni” which means “progeny” or “offspring.” There is an early Greek epic called Epigoni that tells the story of the Second Theban War between Thebes and the Greek city-state of Argos. This Second [...]

Word of the Day, June 11 2008

Brobdingnagian
adj.
Gigantic; immense; enormous
What can I say, finally a word that lives up to its meaning.

Word of the Day

Lachrymose
adj.
Weepy; mournful; tearful
It rolls off the tongue well.  I like to think of lachrymose as meaning “morose but with tears.”  

WORD OF THE DAY

Lickspittle
adj.
A kiss-ass or toady.
I like to think of Grover Dill, Scut Farkas’ little toady from A Christmas Story.  You know, the Grover Dill who was “Mean! Rotten! His lips curled over his green teeth.”