Short & Sweet Treats discussion

I have no idea what a dangling participle is, and I'll never remember. Does not store in my memory.

ACERBIC

expressing harsh or sharp criticism in a clever way

ORIGIN: "sour, harsh, severe" (of speech, manners, etc.), from L. acerbus "harsh to the taste, sharp, bitter, sour"

Examples:

Mark Twain and Kurt Vonnegut are both known for their acerbic wit; they often criticized society even as they made their readers laugh.

ubiquitous
pronunciation\yoo-BIK-wuh-tus\
DEFINITION
adjective

: existing or being everywhere at the same time : constantly encountered : widespread
EXAMPLES
The band's catchy new song is ubiquitous—I seem to hear it everywhere I go.

"Blackberry, once the darling of business and ubiquitous in every meeting, is being replaced as other devices move in offering faster, smarter and sleeker phones." — From a blog by Liz Hester at talkingbiznews.com, December 16, 2013

Read more at http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-o...

Julia wrote: "ACERBIC

expressing harsh or sharp criticism in a clever way

ORIGIN: "sour, harsh, severe" (of speech, manners, etc.), from L. acerbus "harsh to the taste, sharp, bitter, sour"

Examples:

[autho..."

Definitely a fan of acerbic wit

Jen ƸӜƷ wrote: "

"

that's me on some days! I love almonds!

BATHETIC

effusively or insincerely emotional; "a bathetic novel"; "maudlin expressions of sympathy"; "mushy effusiveness"; "a schmaltzy song"; "sentimental soap operas"; "slushy poetry"

From the Noun: BATHOS
Overly sentimental and exaggerated pathos.
"I like you more than I can say; but I'll not sink into a bathos of sentiment." Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë - 1847.

"Bathetic" sounds like someone with a cold saying "pathetic!"

Yes, yes it does!

BOWDLERIZE

To edit offensive parts out of something. If the hero in an R-rated movie adapted for TV exclaims, “Oh shoot fudge darn!” but his lips seem to be saying something else, that movie has been bowdlerized.

The word "bowdlerized" comes from the name of Dr. T. Bowdler, who decided to publish an edition of Shakespeare in 1818 without sexual references or double-entendres. Mr. Bowdler thought he was performing a great service for humanity, but generally if we call something bowdlerized, we’re implying that it was edited in a prudish way.

EXAMPLE: "Being an iconic classic, however, hasn’t protected The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from being banned, bowdlerized and bleeped."
—New York Times (Jan 7, 2011)

campanology

PRONUNCIATION:
(kam-puh-NOL-uh-jee)

MEANING:
noun: The art or study of bell-ringing or making bells.

ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin campana (bell). From the Campania region in Italy, known for the bronze that was used to cast bells. Earliest documented use: 1847.

NOTES:
The term bell-ringing is preferred over campanology by people involved in it. In general, those in the know go with simpler terms. For example, caving over spelunking, coding over developing software, and so on. At any rate, here's an introductory video on campanology/bell-ringing that has managed to stuff as many puns as are legally permitted in a five-minute video. Did they miss any? Chime in.

USAGE:
"A woman who has helped secure the future of bell ringing across the east of England has been appointed MBE in the New Year Honours list for her services to campanology."
Norfolk bell ringer Betty Baines Appointed MBE; BBC News (London, UK); Dec 30, 2013.

"The call buttons were pressed so frequently that the passengers were in danger of getting a suntan from the lights, and the galley sounded like a campanology convention for the deaf."
Jack Leonard; Bad Altitude; AuthorHouse; 2005.

CACOPHONOUS
having an unpleasant sound

ORIGIN
From Ancient Greek κακός (kakos, “bad”) + φωνή (phonē, “voice”).

EXAMPLE:

"Shoppers mingle, traders peddle their wares and children play in the street, all to a cacophonous backdrop of roaring motorbikes and honking cars."
—Reuters (May 28, 2010)

perse

PRONUNCIATION:
(puhrs)

MEANING:
adjective: Of a grayish blue or purple color.

ETYMOLOGY:
From persus (dark blue), from Latin Persicus (Persian), from Persia, former name of Iran. Why this color is associated with Persia is not entirely clear. Earliest documented use: 1387.

USAGE:
"How much the amethyst ring on her right hand mirrored the fading perse color of the sky."
Lisa Kusel; Hat Trick; Hyperion; 2005.

"He noticed the perse under each lid, and the blue, death-struck lips."
Thomas Keneally; Bring Larks and Heroes; Cassell Australia; 1967.

LOVE the perse carrots, Jen! I wanted to buy some seeds for my friend and was able to find your picture and the link--but alas, that site doesn't sell them anymore. I'll keep looking :-)

DELETERIOUS
harmful; injurious; hurtful

ORIGIN:
From Ancient Greek δηλητήριος (dēlētērios, “noxious, deleterious”), from δηλητήρ (dēlētēr, “a destroyer”), from δηλέομαι (dēleomai, “I hurt, damage, spoil, waste”).

EXAMPLE:
"It's a wonder, given how well-established the science is, that we continue to do things that are deleterious to the fragile ecosystem."

Abracadabra - in Hebrew means "I create what I speak."

iliad

PRONUNCIATION:
(IL-ee-uhd)

MEANING:
noun:
1. A long narrative, especially an epic poem describing martial exploits.
2. A long series of miseries or disasters.

ETYMOLOGY:
After Iliad, a Greek epic poem traditionally attributed to Homer. From Ilion, ancient Greek name of the city of Troy, an area now in modern Turkey. Earliest documented use: 1579.

USAGE:
"She knew ... stories which form part of an Iliad of obscure hatreds, quarrels, adulteries, marriages."
Storm Jameson; Journey from the North, Volume 2; Collins; 1970.

"Professional football players are our gladiators. The only difference is that we, the fans, don't, as they did at the Colosseum in Rome, put our thumbs up or down to decide a player's fate. But then we don't have to; they all but kill themselves. In each of his interviews, Mr. Cohen asks former players: 'How're you holding up physically?' Everyone answers with an Iliad of injuries and woes."
Joseph Epstein; When Defense Ruled the Game; The Wall Street Journal (New York); Oct 26, 2013.

Jen ƸӜƷ wrote: "iliad

PRONUNCIATION:
(IL-ee-uhd)

MEANING:
noun:
1. A long narrative, especially an epic poem describing martial exploits.
2. A long series of miseries or disasters.

ETYMOLOGY:
After Iliad, a Gr..."

I didn't realize it was a word which could describe a poem!

LaLaLa Laura wrote: "Jen ƸӜƷ wrote: "iliad

PRONUNCIATION:
(IL-ee-uhd)

MEANING:
noun:
1. A long narrative, especially an epic poem describing martial exploits.
2. A long series of miseries or disasters.

ETYMOLOGY:
A..."


I didn't either!

damask

PRONUNCIATION:
(DAM-uhsk)

MEANING:
noun: 1. A reversible fabric with a pattern woven into it, used for table linen, upholstery, etc.
2. Short for damask rose.
3. The color of damask rose: grayish red or pink.
4. Short for damask steel.
5. Wavy markings on such steel.
adjective: 1. Made of or resembling damask.
2. Having the color of damask rose.
verb tr.: 1. To decorate or weave with richly-figured designs.
2. To inlay a metal object with gold or silver patterns; to gild.

ETYMOLOGY:
From Damascus, where this fabric was first produced. Earliest documented use: 1325.

USAGE:
"The richly coloured damask-covered walls do evoke the palaces for which many of the pictures were intended."
Getting Away from Cultural Spinach; The Economist (London, UK); Aug 28, 2008.

EPHEMERAL

Ephemeral (ə-FEM-ər-əl) was originally a medical term with the specific meaning "lasting only one day," as a fever or sickness (Hemera means "day" in Greek.) The word became more general, coming to mean "lasting a short time," covering the life spans of plants or insects and then eventually anything that is fleeting or transitory.

Julia wrote: "EPHEMERAL

Ephemeral (ə-FEM-ər-əl) was originally a medical term with the specific meaning "lasting only one day," as a fever or sickness (Hemera means "day" in Greek.) The word became more general..."

Julia wrote: "EPHEMERAL

Ephemeral (ə-FEM-ər-əl) was originally a medical term with the specific meaning "lasting only one day," as a fever or sickness (Hemera means "day" in Greek.) The word became more general..."

I often feel my reading experiences of a really good book are ephemeral.

Jen ƸӜƷ wrote: "Julia wrote: "EPHEMERAL

Ephemeral (ə-FEM-ər-əl) was originally a medical term with the specific meaning "lasting only one day," as a fever or sickness (Hemera means "day" in Greek.) The word becam..."

That's why I take notes, ex-teacher that I am :-) I was able to read my notes on The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón before I read the sequel, The Angel's Game, a year later! Otherwise, the first book would have been lost in the ephemeral ether of the cosmos! :-)

Julia wrote: "Jen ƸӜƷ wrote: "Julia wrote: "EPHEMERAL

Ephemeral (ə-FEM-ər-əl) was originally a medical term with the specific meaning "lasting only one day," as a fever or sickness (Hemera means "day" in Greek...."

So true, I've been trying to read trilogies and the like in order, so I wait for them all to be published.

GREGARIOUS

1. (Sociology) enjoying the company of others

2. (Zoology) (of animals) living together in herds or flocks

ORIGIN:
Latin gregarius "of a flock or herd", from greg-, grex flock, herd
First Known Use: 1668

bloviate

PRONUNCIATION:
(BLO-vee-ayt)

MEANING:
verb intr.: To speak pompously.

ETYMOLOGY:
Pseudo-Latin alteration of blow (to boast). Earliest documented use: 1845.

USAGE:
"All you cinephiles who like to find grand statements and social criticism in horror movies, prepare to bloviate. It's midnight at the Tribeca Film Festival."
Neil Genzlinger; Scare Me, Sure, But Also Make A Statement; The New York Times; Apr 18, 2013.

ROFL, another great one, Jen--especially the cartoon! :-)

Thank you, Julia, I thought it went well with the word. :)

Just don't tinkle when you trinkle!

skulduggery

PRONUNCIATION:
(skuhl-DUHG-uh-ree)

MEANING:
noun: Underhand dealing: trickery, bribery, etc.

ETYMOLOGY:
An American coinage, apparently from the alteration of Scots sculduddery (fornication, obscenity). Earliest documented use: 1867.

USAGE:
"In the 1980s [the Vatican Bank] was accused of involvement in financial skulduggery and responsibility for the still-mysterious death of a prominent Italian banker, Roberto Calvi."
God's Bankers; The Economist (London, UK); Jul 7, 2012.

Jen ƸӜƷ wrote: "Just don't tinkle when you trinkle!"

LOL, good one!

honeyfuggle

PRONUNCIATION:
(HUN-ee-fuh-guhl)

MEANING:
verb tr., intr.: To deceive or swindle, especially by flattery.

ETYMOLOGY:
Perhaps from honey + fugle (to cheat). Earliest documented use: 1829. Also spelled as honeyfugle.

USAGE:
"Don't try to honeyfuggle me, Wolf McCloud. I'm not pretty, and we both know it."
Jane Bonander; Wild Heart; Pocket Books; 1995.

^ Thats a perfect word to describe me!

No way!! Not with your sense of humor :-)

LOL (I should modify my comment to say on some days)

My younger daughter says I'm always raining on her parade. :D

Aww, Marla--just tell her you're raining love on her! lol

lallygag or lollygag

PRONUNCIATION:
(LAL-ee-gag, LOL-ee-gag)

MEANING:
verb intr.:
1. To fool around, waste time, or spend time lazily.
2. To neck.

ETYMOLOGY:
Origin uncertain. Earliest documented use: 1862.

USAGE:
"I lallygagged around and when it was evident that they were not coming home to take me, I had to start off."
Margaret Mason; A Memory at Large; RoseDog Books; 2011.

And dilly dallying :)

Absolutely--especially if I'm wandering in the woods and see something like this:

bumfuzzle

PRONUNCIATION:
(bum-FUZ-uhl)

MEANING:
verb tr.: To confuse.

ETYMOLOGY:
From bum-, probably from bamboozle (to deceive) + fuzzle (to confuse). Earliest documented use: 1900.

USAGE:
"Latt insists the company is not trying to bumfuzzle anybody into believing Asylum's releases are big-studio product."
James Hebert; Knockoff Movies Touted as 'Tie-ins'; Union-Tribune (San Diego, California); August 17, 2007.

people bumfuzzle me!

Me too, but I'm easily bumfuzzled. :)

CHORTLE

to laugh because you are amused or pleased by something

ORIGIN:
Coined by Lewis Carroll in his poem "Jabberwocky", perhaps as a blend of chuckle and snort.

:)

punc·til·i·ous
extremely attentive to punctilios; strict or exact in the observance of the formalities or amenities of conduct or actions.