It is surely a great calamity for a human being to have no obsessions.
~ Robert Bly (1926- )
Sunday, July 31, 2011
"It is surely a great calamity..."
Quote of the Week:
Friday, July 29, 2011
MICAWBER
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 29 July 2011
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MICAWBER (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
This one comes right out of the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield (1850), in which Mr. Wilkins Micawber is a character who who remains an incurable optimist in the face of difficulties, always confident that something will “turn up” in his favor. Dickens often gave his characters humorous or apt names, and several other Dickens characters have crossed into the dictionary pages, including FAGIN (“a person who instructs others in crime”) and SCROOGE (“a miserly person”).
Recapping this week’s words: MEDUSA, MYRMIDON, MANQUE, MESHUGA, and MICAWBER
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MICAWBER (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
- (n.) one who remains hopeful despite adversity; an eternal optimist
- (n.) one who is poor but lives in optimistic expectation of better fortune
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -S
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: (none)
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: (none)
- Related Forms: (none)
Epilogue:
This one comes right out of the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield (1850), in which Mr. Wilkins Micawber is a character who who remains an incurable optimist in the face of difficulties, always confident that something will “turn up” in his favor. Dickens often gave his characters humorous or apt names, and several other Dickens characters have crossed into the dictionary pages, including FAGIN (“a person who instructs others in crime”) and SCROOGE (“a miserly person”).
Recapping this week’s words: MEDUSA, MYRMIDON, MANQUE, MESHUGA, and MICAWBER
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Thursday, July 28, 2011
MESHUGA
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 28 July 2011
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MESHUGA (adj.)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
You might go a little MESHUGA trying to remember all the spellings of this word. It comes from Yiddish, a rich and colorful language traditionally spoken by Jews in Europe and America and influenced heavily by Hebrew and German. It probably derives ultimately from the Hebrew shugga ("to be driven mad"), and, like many words from this language, has multiple spellings due to having undergone TRANSLITERATION ("the representation of letters or words in the characters of another alphabet or script") from the Hebrew alphabet. The only form in the Scrabble word list considered to be a noun is MESHUGGENER, "a crazy person."
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter M
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MESHUGA (adj.)
Definition(s):
- (adj.) crazy, foolish, senseless
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -H
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: (none)
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: MESHUGAH, MESHUGGA, MESHUGGAH, MESHUGGE, MESHUGAAS, MISHEGAAS, MISHEGOSS
- Related Forms: MESHUGGENER (n. pl. -S)
Epilogue:
You might go a little MESHUGA trying to remember all the spellings of this word. It comes from Yiddish, a rich and colorful language traditionally spoken by Jews in Europe and America and influenced heavily by Hebrew and German. It probably derives ultimately from the Hebrew shugga ("to be driven mad"), and, like many words from this language, has multiple spellings due to having undergone TRANSLITERATION ("the representation of letters or words in the characters of another alphabet or script") from the Hebrew alphabet. The only form in the Scrabble word list considered to be a noun is MESHUGGENER, "a crazy person."
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter M
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Wednesday, July 27, 2011
MANQUE
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 27 July 2011
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MANQUE (adj.)
Definition(s):(adj.)
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
This word packs a lot of meaning into one word, and it is usually used POSTPOSITIVELY — that is, after the word that it modifies. Thus, you could refer to an “artist manque” or a “hero manque.” It passed into English in the 1700s from the French verb manquer, “to lack.”
Other English words often used pospositively include EMERITUS, ERRANT, EXTRAORDINAIRE, GALORE, IMMEMORIAL, INCARNATE, LAUREATE, REDIVIVUS (“brought back to life”), REDUX (“brought back”), REGNANT (“reigning”), and several culinary terms such as CARBONARA, FLAMBE, PARMESAN, PICCATA, and PRIMAVERA. Most of these come from French or Italian, in which adjectives usually follow nouns, though it is something of a mystery why these words have retained this word order in English while thousands of others from these languages do not. It seems the English language has quirks and exceptions APLENTY.
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter M
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MANQUE (adj.)
Definition(s):(adj.)
- frustrated in the fulfillment of one’s aspirations or potential; failing to achieve a desired status through circumstances or some flaw
- (adj.) defective; missing; lacking
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: (none)
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: (none)
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: (none)
- Related Forms: (none)
Epilogue:
This word packs a lot of meaning into one word, and it is usually used POSTPOSITIVELY — that is, after the word that it modifies. Thus, you could refer to an “artist manque” or a “hero manque.” It passed into English in the 1700s from the French verb manquer, “to lack.”
Other English words often used pospositively include EMERITUS, ERRANT, EXTRAORDINAIRE, GALORE, IMMEMORIAL, INCARNATE, LAUREATE, REDIVIVUS (“brought back to life”), REDUX (“brought back”), REGNANT (“reigning”), and several culinary terms such as CARBONARA, FLAMBE, PARMESAN, PICCATA, and PRIMAVERA. Most of these come from French or Italian, in which adjectives usually follow nouns, though it is something of a mystery why these words have retained this word order in English while thousands of others from these languages do not. It seems the English language has quirks and exceptions APLENTY.
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter M
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Tuesday, July 26, 2011
MYRMIDON
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 26 July 2011
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MYRMIDON (n. pl. - S or -ES)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
The original Myrmidons were legendary warriors of Thessaly in northern Greece. They accompanied Achilles in the Trojan War and were noted for their fierceness and devotion to their leader — thus the modern lowercase form, referring to any loyal follower. The name comes from the Greek myrmex, meaning “ant,” conjuring up an image of a fierce army of ants. The myrm- root is also used in scientific words literally referring to ants, such as MYRMECOLOGY (“the study of ants”) and MYRMECOPHILE (“an organism that shares the nest of an ant or interacts closely with ants”).
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter M
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MYRMIDON (n. pl. - S or -ES)
Definition(s):
- (n.) a loyal follower, especially one who carries out orders without scruple or question
- (n.) a hired ruffian or mercenary
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -S
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: -ES
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: (none)
- Related Forms: (none)
Epilogue:
The original Myrmidons were legendary warriors of Thessaly in northern Greece. They accompanied Achilles in the Trojan War and were noted for their fierceness and devotion to their leader — thus the modern lowercase form, referring to any loyal follower. The name comes from the Greek myrmex, meaning “ant,” conjuring up an image of a fierce army of ants. The myrm- root is also used in scientific words literally referring to ants, such as MYRMECOLOGY (“the study of ants”) and MYRMECOPHILE (“an organism that shares the nest of an ant or interacts closely with ants”).
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter M
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Monday, July 25, 2011
MEDUSA
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 25 July 2011
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MEDUSA (n. pl. - E or -S)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
The simple JELLYFISH has been called many names. MEDUSA was Carl Linnaeus’ suggestion, obviously from the resemblance of certain species to the head of snakes attributed to Medusa of Greek mythology. And, interestingly, variations of the word MEDUSA do remain the primary names for jellyfish in French, Italian, Spanish, and many other languages. Other English terms for the gelatinous sea creature include ACALEPH, CNIDARIAN, sea blubber, sea jelly, sea lungs, or sea nettle. The first two of these are used primarily in scientific contexts and derive from Greek words meaning “nettle,” a reference to the stinging organ (called a CNIDA) of some species.
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter M
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MEDUSA (n. pl. - E or -S)
Definition(s):
- (n.) a jellyfish
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -E, -L, -N, -S
- Anagrams: AMUSED
- Longer extensions: -NS
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: (none)
- Related Forms: MEDUSAL (adj.), MEDUSAN (n.), MEDUSOID (n.)
Epilogue:
The simple JELLYFISH has been called many names. MEDUSA was Carl Linnaeus’ suggestion, obviously from the resemblance of certain species to the head of snakes attributed to Medusa of Greek mythology. And, interestingly, variations of the word MEDUSA do remain the primary names for jellyfish in French, Italian, Spanish, and many other languages. Other English terms for the gelatinous sea creature include ACALEPH, CNIDARIAN, sea blubber, sea jelly, sea lungs, or sea nettle. The first two of these are used primarily in scientific contexts and derive from Greek words meaning “nettle,” a reference to the stinging organ (called a CNIDA) of some species.
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter M
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Sunday, July 24, 2011
"...how we crave its bright feathers"
Quote of the Week:
All language is masquerade.
But how we crave its bright feathers.
~ Maurya Simon (1950- )
Friday, July 22, 2011
LUDIC
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 22 July 2011
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LUDIC (adj.)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
This word originated in literary and sociological writing in the mid-20th century — from the Latin ludus (“play”), the same root behind LUDICROUS — but it has now passed into common use and has been employed in recent years to describe everything from athletics to language to video games. Have a ludic weekend!
Recapping this week’s words: LISSOM, LETHE, LOGOMACH, LUNARIAN, and LUDIC
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LUDIC (adj.)
Definition(s):
- (adj.) relating to play or playfulness, especially aimless, spontaneous play
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: (none)
- Anagrams: LUCID
- Longer extensions: -ROUS, -ROUSLY, -ROUSNESS, -ROUSNESSES
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: (none)
- Related Forms: (none)
Epilogue:
This word originated in literary and sociological writing in the mid-20th century — from the Latin ludus (“play”), the same root behind LUDICROUS — but it has now passed into common use and has been employed in recent years to describe everything from athletics to language to video games. Have a ludic weekend!
Recapping this week’s words: LISSOM, LETHE, LOGOMACH, LUNARIAN, and LUDIC
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Thursday, July 21, 2011
LUNARIAN
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 21 July 2011
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LUNARIAN (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
Familiar words such as LUNY (or LOONY), LUNAR, and LUNATIC derive from the Latin luna (“moon”). So does LUNARIAN and the following delightful words you probably never knew but suddenly won’t be able to live without:
~ LUNULA (or LUNULE): a crescent-shaped mark or spot — see the base of the fingernail of your thumb for a nice illustration
~ MEZZALUNA: a crescent-shaped cutting utensil, used for chopping food ingredients
~ SUBLUNARY (or SUBLUNAR): existing or situated beneath the moon; hence, earthly or characteristic of this world and its affairs: mundane, material, temporal
~ SUPERLUNARY (or SUPERLUNAR): situated above or beyond the moon; hence, celestial, belonging to a higher world
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter L
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LUNARIAN (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
- (n.) a supposed inhabitant of the moon
- (adj.) pertaining to living on the moon
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -S
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: (none)
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: (none)
- Related Forms: (none)
Epilogue:
Familiar words such as LUNY (or LOONY), LUNAR, and LUNATIC derive from the Latin luna (“moon”). So does LUNARIAN and the following delightful words you probably never knew but suddenly won’t be able to live without:
~ LUNULA (or LUNULE): a crescent-shaped mark or spot — see the base of the fingernail of your thumb for a nice illustration
~ MEZZALUNA: a crescent-shaped cutting utensil, used for chopping food ingredients
~ SUBLUNARY (or SUBLUNAR): existing or situated beneath the moon; hence, earthly or characteristic of this world and its affairs: mundane, material, temporal
~ SUPERLUNARY (or SUPERLUNAR): situated above or beyond the moon; hence, celestial, belonging to a higher world
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter L
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Wednesday, July 20, 2011
LOGOMACH
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 20 July 2011
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LOGOMACH (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
With a straightforward derivation from Greek logos (“word”) and machia (“battle, fight”), a LOGOMACH is literally one who argues or fights about words. You might say that Scrabble players engage in playful LOGOMACHY: “a battle of words” or, as it sometimes defined, “a game involving words.”
LOGOMACHY was also the appropriate name of a game, first manufactured in 1874 and popular well into the early 1900s, in which players spelled words with lettered cards. Indeed, many such word-forming games played with cards (or dice) were popular in the years leading up to Alfred Butts’ invention of our favorite word game. Butts had called his game Lexico or Criss Cross Words. It was James Brunot who came up with the name Scrabble, made several key changes to it, and helped popularize and improve manufacture of it.
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter L
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LOGOMACH (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
- (n.) one given to arguing about words
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -S, -Y
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: -IES
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: (none)
- Related Forms: LOGOMACHY (n.)
Epilogue:
With a straightforward derivation from Greek logos (“word”) and machia (“battle, fight”), a LOGOMACH is literally one who argues or fights about words. You might say that Scrabble players engage in playful LOGOMACHY: “a battle of words” or, as it sometimes defined, “a game involving words.”
LOGOMACHY was also the appropriate name of a game, first manufactured in 1874 and popular well into the early 1900s, in which players spelled words with lettered cards. Indeed, many such word-forming games played with cards (or dice) were popular in the years leading up to Alfred Butts’ invention of our favorite word game. Butts had called his game Lexico or Criss Cross Words. It was James Brunot who came up with the name Scrabble, made several key changes to it, and helped popularize and improve manufacture of it.
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter L
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Tuesday, July 19, 2011
LETHE
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 19 July 2011
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LETHE (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
In Greek mythology, LETHE (meaning “oblivion”) was one of the rivers of the underworld of Hades. The souls of the dead drank from it and forgot what they had done while alive, forming a powerful image that has been used by countless writers and poets ever since. In some tales, souls were given the choice of drinking instead from the pool of Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory (and the source of the word MNEMONIC), in order to remember their earthly lives.
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter L
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LETHE (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
- (n.) forgetfulness; oblivion
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -S
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: -AN
- Wraparounds: BletheR, BletheRS, BletheRED, BletheRING
- Other Spellings: (none)
- Related Forms: LETHEAN (adj.)
Epilogue:
In Greek mythology, LETHE (meaning “oblivion”) was one of the rivers of the underworld of Hades. The souls of the dead drank from it and forgot what they had done while alive, forming a powerful image that has been used by countless writers and poets ever since. In some tales, souls were given the choice of drinking instead from the pool of Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory (and the source of the word MNEMONIC), in order to remember their earthly lives.
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter L
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Monday, July 18, 2011
LISSOM
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 18 July 2011
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LISSOM (adj.)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
This word, with or without an E on the end, is merely a contracted form of LITHESOME. The base word LITHE is very old, having appeared in Old English as early as the 800s and deriving from an Old Germanic word meaning “gentle, mild.” LITHE was used to mean “gentle or mild” for several hundred years, but by the sixteenth century it began to be used to mean “flexible or pliant” and that is the sense that has survived. The nearly-synonymous word LIMBER (“easily bent, flexible, pliant”) appeared much later (c. 1565) and is of uncertain origin. LIMBER, LISSOM(E), LITHESOME: some flexible words for a flexible and ever-changing language — and all starting with L, this week’s featured letter.
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter L
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LISSOM (adj.)
Definition(s):
- (adj.) flexible; pliant
- (adj.) lithe; moving with ease and grace; agile
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -E
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: -LY, -ELY, -ENESS, -ENESSES
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: (none)
- Related Forms: LISSOME
Epilogue:
This word, with or without an E on the end, is merely a contracted form of LITHESOME. The base word LITHE is very old, having appeared in Old English as early as the 800s and deriving from an Old Germanic word meaning “gentle, mild.” LITHE was used to mean “gentle or mild” for several hundred years, but by the sixteenth century it began to be used to mean “flexible or pliant” and that is the sense that has survived. The nearly-synonymous word LIMBER (“easily bent, flexible, pliant”) appeared much later (c. 1565) and is of uncertain origin. LIMBER, LISSOM(E), LITHESOME: some flexible words for a flexible and ever-changing language — and all starting with L, this week’s featured letter.
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter L
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Sunday, July 17, 2011
"Comic Book Word Scrabble..."
Quote of the Week:
Linda (placing her letters on the board): B-A-A-N-G.
Alex: You can't have two A's in BANG.
Linda: In Comic Book Word Scrabble, you can. You can have three A's if you want.
~ In the movie Snow Cake (2006)
Saturday, July 16, 2011
History of English
Spreading the Word
Check out the fun and educational "History of English in Ten Minutes" series on YouTube. It's a lighthearted romp through the development of the English language over the past 1700 years:
The History of English in Ten Minutes
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA03075BAD88B909E
Brilliant!
An occasional segment wherein TileHead suggests you take a look at an interesting article, book, video, or website.
Check out the fun and educational "History of English in Ten Minutes" series on YouTube. It's a lighthearted romp through the development of the English language over the past 1700 years:
The History of English in Ten Minutes
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA03075BAD88B909E
Brilliant!
Friday, July 15, 2011
KOBOLD
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 15 July 2011
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KOBOLD (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
In legend, the KOBOLD is usually a little house elf who often performs useful work as well as occasional mischief, much like the Scottish BROWNIE — or, for a popular contemporary example, somewhat like DOBBY in the Harry Potter series. These mythical little folk also gave English the word for the metallic mineral COBALT, so called because miners found cobalt ores to be troublesome.
Recapping this week’s words: KENNING, KAOLIN, KAMAAINA, KHAMSIN, and KOBOLD
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KOBOLD (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
- (n.) an elf or spirit, especially one in German folklore believed to inhabit houses, underground mines, or ships
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -S
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: (none)
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: (none)
- Related Forms: (none)
Epilogue:
In legend, the KOBOLD is usually a little house elf who often performs useful work as well as occasional mischief, much like the Scottish BROWNIE — or, for a popular contemporary example, somewhat like DOBBY in the Harry Potter series. These mythical little folk also gave English the word for the metallic mineral COBALT, so called because miners found cobalt ores to be troublesome.
Recapping this week’s words: KENNING, KAOLIN, KAMAAINA, KHAMSIN, and KOBOLD
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Thursday, July 14, 2011
KHAMSIN
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 14 July 2011
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KHAMSIN (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
Today’s entry derives from an Arabic word meaning “fifty,” because the period during which the most oppressive KHAMSINS occur was believed to last approximately fifty days. There are a lot of unusual words for various types of ferocious winds or windstorms. Another one from Arabic is HABOOB (“a violent sandstorm”), which was in the news after a bad one blew through Phoenix, Arizona, recently.
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter K
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KHAMSIN (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
- (n.) a hot, dry, dusty wind in northern Africa, typically occurring in late winter and early spring
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -S
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: (none)
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: KAMSIN, KAMSEEN, KHAMSEEN
- Related Forms: (none)
Epilogue:
Today’s entry derives from an Arabic word meaning “fifty,” because the period during which the most oppressive KHAMSINS occur was believed to last approximately fifty days. There are a lot of unusual words for various types of ferocious winds or windstorms. Another one from Arabic is HABOOB (“a violent sandstorm”), which was in the news after a bad one blew through Phoenix, Arizona, recently.
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter K
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Wednesday, July 13, 2011
KAMAAINA
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 13 July 2011
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KAMAAINA (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
The Hawaiian language is notable for having only twelve letters (seven consonants and five vowels), and English words borrowed from it tend to have a pleasingly exotic cadence. Literally meaning “child of the land,” KAMAAINA refers to one who is intimately familiar with Hawaiian life and customs. On the other end of the spectrum is the MALIHINI, “a newcomer or visitor in Hawaii,” from a Hawaiian word meaning “stranger, guest.”
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter K
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KAMAAINA (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
- (n.) a longtime resident of Hawaii
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -S
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: (none)
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: (none)
- Related Forms: (none)
Epilogue:
The Hawaiian language is notable for having only twelve letters (seven consonants and five vowels), and English words borrowed from it tend to have a pleasingly exotic cadence. Literally meaning “child of the land,” KAMAAINA refers to one who is intimately familiar with Hawaiian life and customs. On the other end of the spectrum is the MALIHINI, “a newcomer or visitor in Hawaii,” from a Hawaiian word meaning “stranger, guest.”
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter K
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Tuesday, July 12, 2011
KAOLIN
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 12 July 2011
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KAOLIN (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
Composed primarily of the mineral KAOLINITE and also known as “china clay,” KAOLIN is a very important and versatile substance. It is one of the key ingredients in china or porcelain and is also used in a surprising variety of other products, including paper, rubber, pigments, food additives, and medicines. Its name derives from the Kaoling (or Gaoling) Mountains in southeastern China, where a French Jesuit priest studied Chinese porcelain-making techniques in the early eighteenth century.
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter K
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KAOLIN (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
- (n.) a soft, fine white clay, often used in making porcelain, paper, and many other products
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -E, -S
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: -ES, -IC, -ITE, -ITES, -ITIC
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: (none)
- Related Forms: KAOLINITE
Epilogue:
Composed primarily of the mineral KAOLINITE and also known as “china clay,” KAOLIN is a very important and versatile substance. It is one of the key ingredients in china or porcelain and is also used in a surprising variety of other products, including paper, rubber, pigments, food additives, and medicines. Its name derives from the Kaoling (or Gaoling) Mountains in southeastern China, where a French Jesuit priest studied Chinese porcelain-making techniques in the early eighteenth century.
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter K
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Monday, July 11, 2011
KENNING
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 11 July 2011
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KENNING (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
You probably encountered KENNINGS if you ever had to read Beowulf. They are the poetic compounds favored by ancient bards: for example, blood is called “battle sweat,” the sea is the “whale-road,” and the sun is referred to as “sky’s jewel.” Aside from adding color and interest, KENNINGS probably served as mnemonic devices for oral recitation, as well as helped the poet to achieve certain types of meter or alliteration. The word derives from the Old Norse kenna (“to know, to perceive”), the same root behind the English verb KEN (“to know”), which survives today chiefly in the phrase “beyond one’s ken.”
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter K
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KENNING (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
- (n.) a metaphorical compound word or phrase, used especially in Old English and Old Norse poetry
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -S
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: (none)
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: (none)
- Related Forms: (none)
Epilogue:
You probably encountered KENNINGS if you ever had to read Beowulf. They are the poetic compounds favored by ancient bards: for example, blood is called “battle sweat,” the sea is the “whale-road,” and the sun is referred to as “sky’s jewel.” Aside from adding color and interest, KENNINGS probably served as mnemonic devices for oral recitation, as well as helped the poet to achieve certain types of meter or alliteration. The word derives from the Old Norse kenna (“to know, to perceive”), the same root behind the English verb KEN (“to know”), which survives today chiefly in the phrase “beyond one’s ken.”
This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter K
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Sunday, July 10, 2011
"...seeing them for the first time"
Quote of the Week:
All my life I've looked at words as though I were seeing them for the first time.
~ Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961)
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Pronunciation of COLONEL
Mailbag
From the mailbag:
Curran Eggertson sent in the following query: I always wondered, what's the story behind COLONEL's pronunciation?
TileHead responds:
Good question! Both the whims of early spelling and the laziness of pronunciation come into play with COLONEL.
The word derives from the Italian colonnella ("commander of a column of soldiers"), but there were two early forms in English, via French: COLONEL and CORONEL. The former is more etymologically correct, but the latter was common for a while, especially in speech. Eventually the COLONEL spelling won out, but the "cor'nel/kernel" pronunciation remained.
Another factor is that COLONEL is awkward to pronounce as it is spelled, especially those nearby L's. In this respect, the pronunciation of COLONEL is a good example of the linguistic characteristic known as DISSIMILATION, in which similar nearby sounds in a word tend to become pronounced differently, or in which one of the similar sounds is dropped completely. This happens in Romance languages most frequently with nearby L's and R's, with R-R dissimilation being most common in English. For example, the Latin turtur became the English TURTLE, and the Latin purpura became the English PURPLE; for more modern examples, think of how some people say "lib'ary" for LIBRARY, "supprise" for SURPRISE, "tempature" for TEMPERATURE, and so on. The pronunciation of COLONEL is a rare case of L-L dissimilation that endured and eventually became the "correct" pronunciation.
An occasional segment wherein TileHead responds to reader questions and comments. You can contact TileHead by email at <tilehead@gmail.com> or by leaving a comment on a blog story or a Facebook post.
From the mailbag:
Curran Eggertson sent in the following query: I always wondered, what's the story behind COLONEL's pronunciation?
TileHead responds:
Good question! Both the whims of early spelling and the laziness of pronunciation come into play with COLONEL.
The word derives from the Italian colonnella ("commander of a column of soldiers"), but there were two early forms in English, via French: COLONEL and CORONEL. The former is more etymologically correct, but the latter was common for a while, especially in speech. Eventually the COLONEL spelling won out, but the "cor'nel/kernel" pronunciation remained.
Another factor is that COLONEL is awkward to pronounce as it is spelled, especially those nearby L's. In this respect, the pronunciation of COLONEL is a good example of the linguistic characteristic known as DISSIMILATION, in which similar nearby sounds in a word tend to become pronounced differently, or in which one of the similar sounds is dropped completely. This happens in Romance languages most frequently with nearby L's and R's, with R-R dissimilation being most common in English. For example, the Latin turtur became the English TURTLE, and the Latin purpura became the English PURPLE; for more modern examples, think of how some people say "lib'ary" for LIBRARY, "supprise" for SURPRISE, "tempature" for TEMPERATURE, and so on. The pronunciation of COLONEL is a rare case of L-L dissimilation that endured and eventually became the "correct" pronunciation.
Friday, July 8, 2011
LOLLYGAG
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 8 July 2011
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LOLLYGAG (v. -GAGGED, -GAGGING, -GAGS)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
Sometimes folks just make up words, especially humorous or unusual ones, and sometimes they stick. Americans have always indulged in such fanciful neologizing. LOLLYGAG (or LALLYGAG) started appearing in a lot of American publications shortly after the Civil War. Its origin remains a mystery and it is still used chiefly in America. HIGHFALUTIN / HIFALUTIN (“pompous or pretentiously fancy”) and HORNSWOGGLE (“to bamboozle or get the better of”) are two other examples of whimsical coinages that were invented in nineteenth century America.
Recapping this week’s words: BUNCOMBE, QUAHOG, HOODOO, ROORBACK, and LOLLYGAG
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LOLLYGAG (v. -GAGGED, -GAGGING, -GAGS)
Definition(s):
- (v.) to dawdle; to fool around or spend time aimlessly
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -S
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: -GED, -GING
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: LALLYGAG
- Related Forms: (none)
Epilogue:
Sometimes folks just make up words, especially humorous or unusual ones, and sometimes they stick. Americans have always indulged in such fanciful neologizing. LOLLYGAG (or LALLYGAG) started appearing in a lot of American publications shortly after the Civil War. Its origin remains a mystery and it is still used chiefly in America. HIGHFALUTIN / HIFALUTIN (“pompous or pretentiously fancy”) and HORNSWOGGLE (“to bamboozle or get the better of”) are two other examples of whimsical coinages that were invented in nineteenth century America.
Recapping this week’s words: BUNCOMBE, QUAHOG, HOODOO, ROORBACK, and LOLLYGAG
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Thursday, July 7, 2011
ROORBACK
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 7 July 2011
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ROORBACK (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
American politics have always been a fertile source of colorful words. This one dates back to 1844, when a false story was published in newspapers in an attempt to slander James K. Polk in the days leading up to the U.S. presidential election that year. The story, supposedly an extract from a book by a Baron von Roorback, was revealed to be spurious and Polk ultimately won the election.
This week’s theme: Words born in America
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ROORBACK (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
- (n.) a false story used for political advantage, especially near the end of a race
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -S
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: (none)
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: ROORBACH
- Related Forms: (none)
Epilogue:
American politics have always been a fertile source of colorful words. This one dates back to 1844, when a false story was published in newspapers in an attempt to slander James K. Polk in the days leading up to the U.S. presidential election that year. The story, supposedly an extract from a book by a Baron von Roorback, was revealed to be spurious and Polk ultimately won the election.
This week’s theme: Words born in America
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Wednesday, July 6, 2011
HOODOO
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 6 July 2011
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HOODOO (v. -ED, -ING, -S)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
The name HOODOO was given (probably derisively at first) to a system of magic practiced chiefly in the southern U.S. and involving the use of charms, herbs, and spells. It incorporated elements of African, Caribbean, European, and Native American practices, as well as aspects of religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and various forms of VOODOO (to which it is probably etymologically related). Its meaning has been extended (or may have developed independently in some cases) to refer to bad luck, to anything fantastical, or to anything nonsensical.
This week’s theme: Words born in America
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HOODOO (v. -ED, -ING, -S)
Definition(s):
- (v.) to bring back luck to; to bewitch
- (n.) a system of magic, traditional especially among blacks in the southern U.S.
- (n.) a natural column of rock in western North America in fantastic form
- (n.) something that brings bad luck
- (n.) nonsense; hokum
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -S
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: -ED, -ING, -ISM/S
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: (none)
- Related Forms: HOODOOISM
Epilogue:
The name HOODOO was given (probably derisively at first) to a system of magic practiced chiefly in the southern U.S. and involving the use of charms, herbs, and spells. It incorporated elements of African, Caribbean, European, and Native American practices, as well as aspects of religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and various forms of VOODOO (to which it is probably etymologically related). Its meaning has been extended (or may have developed independently in some cases) to refer to bad luck, to anything fantastical, or to anything nonsensical.
This week’s theme: Words born in America
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Tuesday, July 5, 2011
QUAHOG
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 5 July 2011
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QUAHOG (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
The QUAHOG is native to the Atlantic coasts of North America and derives from Narragansett (poquauhock), an Algonquian language formerly spoken in the New England area. The English language has been greatly enriched by borrowings from the hundreds of Native American languages that were spoken in North America prior to the arrival of Europeans. The closely related Massachusett and Narragansett tongues, for example, also gave us words such as MOOSE, PAPOOSE, POWWOW, SACHEM, SQUASH, SUCCOTASH, and WOODCHUCK.
This week’s theme: Words born in America
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QUAHOG (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
- (n.) a large, edible, thick-shelled clam of the Atlantic coast of North America
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -S
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: (none)
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: COHOG, QUOHOG, QUAHAUG
- Related Forms: (none)
Epilogue:
The QUAHOG is native to the Atlantic coasts of North America and derives from Narragansett (poquauhock), an Algonquian language formerly spoken in the New England area. The English language has been greatly enriched by borrowings from the hundreds of Native American languages that were spoken in North America prior to the arrival of Europeans. The closely related Massachusett and Narragansett tongues, for example, also gave us words such as MOOSE, PAPOOSE, POWWOW, SACHEM, SQUASH, SUCCOTASH, and WOODCHUCK.
This week’s theme: Words born in America
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Monday, July 4, 2011
BUNCOMBE
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 4 July 2011
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BUNCOMBE (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
This word, like the rest of the ones we’ll examine this week, was truly born and bred in America. In 1820, in the midst of a congressional debate over the Missouri Compromise, Representative Felix Walker rose to deliver a speech — on a completely unrelated matter of little consequence. When his colleagues protested, Walker explained that he was just “speaking to Buncombe,” meaning to the folks back in his local district of Buncombe County, North Carolina. Thereafter, BUNCOMBE came to mean any nonsense or empty speech. The spelling was later altered to BUNKUM, or just BUNK, and the verb DEBUNK was patterned after it.
In a fortuitous connection, the North Carolina county that Walker represented was named after Edward Buncombe, a colonel who had fought for independence in the Revolutionary War.
This week’s theme: Words born in America
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BUNCOMBE (n. pl. - S)
Definition(s):
- (n.) nonsense; foolish talk
- (n.) empty or insincere speech making by a politician to please local voters or gain publicity
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -S
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: (none)
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: BUNKUM
- Related Forms: BUNK, DEBUNK
Epilogue:
This word, like the rest of the ones we’ll examine this week, was truly born and bred in America. In 1820, in the midst of a congressional debate over the Missouri Compromise, Representative Felix Walker rose to deliver a speech — on a completely unrelated matter of little consequence. When his colleagues protested, Walker explained that he was just “speaking to Buncombe,” meaning to the folks back in his local district of Buncombe County, North Carolina. Thereafter, BUNCOMBE came to mean any nonsense or empty speech. The spelling was later altered to BUNKUM, or just BUNK, and the verb DEBUNK was patterned after it.
In a fortuitous connection, the North Carolina county that Walker represented was named after Edward Buncombe, a colonel who had fought for independence in the Revolutionary War.
This week’s theme: Words born in America
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Saturday, July 2, 2011
New Logo
Thanks to Brian Miller for designing the new TileHead logo! Let me know what you think!
Brian, by the way, is also the creator of Tilecan gaming accessories, which are probably the best and most creative products on the market.
I have a Tilecan bag and Tilecouch racks: both are great products, and players at tournaments often ask me where I got them. Check it out!
Brian, by the way, is also the creator of Tilecan gaming accessories, which are probably the best and most creative products on the market.
I have a Tilecan bag and Tilecouch racks: both are great products, and players at tournaments often ask me where I got them. Check it out!
Friday, July 1, 2011
"American English..."
Quote of the Week:
The reasons for American English being different than English English are simple: As an independent nation, our honor requires us to have a system of our own, in language as well as government.
~ Noah Webster (1758-1843), Dissertations on the English Language (1789)
JUMBAL
TileHead’s Word of the Day for 1 July 2011
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JUMBAL (n. pl. -S)
Definition(s):
Useful information for game players:
Epilogue:
Let’s head into the weekend with some cookies: JUMBALS are small, unleavened cakes or cookies, usually shaped into rings or knots. Arguably the forerunner of the modern sugar cookie, they were usually flavored with aniseed or rosewater and would have been less sweet than modern versions. They were popular in Europe up through at least the eighteenth century, partly because they were easy to make and held up for months without going stale.
Recapping this week’s words: JONGLEUR, JASPER, JEBEL, JALOUSIE, and JUMBAL
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JUMBAL (n. pl. -S)
Definition(s):
- (n.) a small cake or cookie, usually shaped into a ring or knot
Useful information for game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -S
- Anagrams: (none)
- Longer extensions: (none)
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: (none)
- Related Forms: (none)
Epilogue:
Let’s head into the weekend with some cookies: JUMBALS are small, unleavened cakes or cookies, usually shaped into rings or knots. Arguably the forerunner of the modern sugar cookie, they were usually flavored with aniseed or rosewater and would have been less sweet than modern versions. They were popular in Europe up through at least the eighteenth century, partly because they were easy to make and held up for months without going stale.
Recapping this week’s words: JONGLEUR, JASPER, JEBEL, JALOUSIE, and JUMBAL
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