RATE-A-WORD!
occlude: /uh-klood/
1. to shut in, out, or off.
2. physical chemistry - (of certain metals and other solids) to incorporate (gases and other foreign substances), as by absorption or adsorption.
3. dentistry - to shut or close, with the cusps of the opposing teeth of the upper and lower jaws fitting together.
last week's result:
according to a weighted average of your votes, spoor is a:
3
(2.875 to be precise)
....which sucks because y'all gave gizmo the same rating as spoor. spoor. really? i don't even think spoor deserves to be considered a word. plus, we already have a word for spoor. it's called 'track'. track isn't exciting but it isn't spoor. spoor feels like something someone does to you, not something you do an animal...i.e. "OMG, he took me back to his place, we started making out, i'm totally into it, then all the sudden he starts to spoor me! do i look like someone who'd wanna spoor? freaking pervert!"
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
impedimenta: /im-ped-uh-men-tuh/
baggage or other things that retard one's progress
how to use in casual conversation:
"i have too much impedimenta to be in a relationship, baby"
not to be confused with:
magenta
how it makes me feel:
impeded. it's a good word. it's a latin derivative. latin is good. i like latin. yet for some reason i just kinda wanna nod my head and go "yup". and be done with it. but that wouldn't be fair to you. i figure you come here to read something. right? so how about this....
a story:
the why isn't important but my friend and I ended up walking home from a party a couple weeks ago. i was pretty hungry so we stopped for a burritos on "the ave".
my friend had to wait for the 44, so as we were walking down the ave to his stop he decided to take his burritos out and try to eat it. just as he took it out of the bag, the obviously intoxicated, heavy-set, young asian man randomly sitting on the stairs jumps up and just grabs at my friend's burrito.
at this point I was still buzzed and confused as shit. the only thing I could think to do was very sternly say "nooooooo!", in exactly the way you would reprimand a child or domestic animal.
apparently that was enough.
the only thing fatty could do was say "noooooo!" back, following it up with "ill stab you!". but seeing as how he said that as he was awkwardly positioning his jolly frame back down onto the stairs we found him on, I didn't take it to be a credible threat and we kept walking.
the moral of the story? don't mess with my friend's burrito or i will scold you!
baggage or other things that retard one's progress
how to use in casual conversation:
"i have too much impedimenta to be in a relationship, baby"
not to be confused with:
magenta
how it makes me feel:
impeded. it's a good word. it's a latin derivative. latin is good. i like latin. yet for some reason i just kinda wanna nod my head and go "yup". and be done with it. but that wouldn't be fair to you. i figure you come here to read something. right? so how about this....
a story:
the why isn't important but my friend and I ended up walking home from a party a couple weeks ago. i was pretty hungry so we stopped for a burritos on "the ave".
my friend had to wait for the 44, so as we were walking down the ave to his stop he decided to take his burritos out and try to eat it. just as he took it out of the bag, the obviously intoxicated, heavy-set, young asian man randomly sitting on the stairs jumps up and just grabs at my friend's burrito.
at this point I was still buzzed and confused as shit. the only thing I could think to do was very sternly say "nooooooo!", in exactly the way you would reprimand a child or domestic animal.
apparently that was enough.
the only thing fatty could do was say "noooooo!" back, following it up with "ill stab you!". but seeing as how he said that as he was awkwardly positioning his jolly frame back down onto the stairs we found him on, I didn't take it to be a credible threat and we kept walking.
the moral of the story? don't mess with my friend's burrito or i will scold you!
Friday, July 16, 2010
WORD OF THE WEEK!
subtilize: /suht-l-ahyz/
–verb (used with object)
1. to elevate in character; sublimate.
2. to make (the mind, senses, etc.) keen or discerning; sharpen.
3. to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about.
4. to make thin, rare, or more fluid or volatile; refine.
–verb (used without object)
5. to make subtle distinctions or to argue subtly.
vestigial: /ve-stij-ee-uh/
of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a vestige
spoor: /spohr/
–noun
1. a track or trail, esp. that of a wild animal pursued as game.
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
2. to track by or follow a spoor.
brannigan: /bran-i-guh
n/
1. a carouse.
2. a squabble; brawl.
undercast: /uhn-der-kast/
1. mining - a crossing of two passages, as airways, dug at the same level so that one descends to pass beneath the other without any opening into it.
2. meteorology - an overcast layer of clouds viewed from above
last week's word winner:
squelch
i know, i thought it was a weird result too. i'm gonna chalk this exercise in poor taste up to the fact that none of you had a proper appreciation for gremlins during y'alls childhoods.
gizmo!!!!
subtilize: /suht-l-ahyz/
–verb (used with object)
1. to elevate in character; sublimate.
2. to make (the mind, senses, etc.) keen or discerning; sharpen.
3. to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about.
4. to make thin, rare, or more fluid or volatile; refine.
–verb (used without object)
5. to make subtle distinctions or to argue subtly.
vestigial: /ve-stij-ee-uh/
of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a vestige
spoor: /spohr/
–noun
1. a track or trail, esp. that of a wild animal pursued as game.
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
2. to track by or follow a spoor.
brannigan: /bran-i-guh
n/1. a carouse.
2. a squabble; brawl.
undercast: /uhn-der-kast/
1. mining - a crossing of two passages, as airways, dug at the same level so that one descends to pass beneath the other without any opening into it.
2. meteorology - an overcast layer of clouds viewed from above
last week's word winner:
squelch
i know, i thought it was a weird result too. i'm gonna chalk this exercise in poor taste up to the fact that none of you had a proper appreciation for gremlins during y'alls childhoods.
gizmo!!!!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
brannigan: /bran-i-guhn/
–noun
1. a carouse.
2. a squabble.
3. this guy...
how to use in causal conversation:
"there is something about your face that makes me want to start a brannigan"
not to be confused with:
mulligan
how it makes me feel:
anything that allows me to make a futurama reference is A-OK by me.
–noun
1. a carouse.
2. a squabble.
3. this guy...
how to use in causal conversation:
"there is something about your face that makes me want to start a brannigan"
not to be confused with:
mulligan
how it makes me feel:
anything that allows me to make a futurama reference is A-OK by me.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
RATE-A-WORD!
spoor: /spohr/
–noun
1. a track or trail, esp. that of a wild animal pursued as game.
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
2. to track by or follow a spoor.
last week's result:
according to a weighted average of your votes gizmo is a:
3
(2.538461538 to be precise)
argh. gizmo! i love gizmo! i'll admit, it's a lousy word. even as hogwash sounding words go, it's pretty weak. that is, it isn't a 'bumfuzzled' or anything like that - but gizmo! how can you think gizmo is a 3?! he's so cute!!!
spoor: /spohr/
–noun
1. a track or trail, esp. that of a wild animal pursued as game.
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
2. to track by or follow a spoor.
last week's result:
according to a weighted average of your votes gizmo is a:
3
(2.538461538 to be precise)
argh. gizmo! i love gizmo! i'll admit, it's a lousy word. even as hogwash sounding words go, it's pretty weak. that is, it isn't a 'bumfuzzled' or anything like that - but gizmo! how can you think gizmo is a 3?! he's so cute!!!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
vestigial: /ve-stij-ee-uhl/
1. of, relating to, or constituting a vestige.
2. biology occurring or persisting as a rudimentary or degenerate structure.
3. your appendix
how to use in casual conversation:
"much like the coccyx, your existence has become a vestigial structure on the body that is humanity"
not to be confused with:
virginal
how it makes me feel:
darwinian!
that's it.
1. of, relating to, or constituting a vestige.
2. biology occurring or persisting as a rudimentary or degenerate structure.
3. your appendix
how to use in casual conversation:
"much like the coccyx, your existence has become a vestigial structure on the body that is humanity"
not to be confused with:
virginal
how it makes me feel:
darwinian!
that's it.
Friday, July 9, 2010
WORD OF THE WEEK!
squelch: /skwelch/
–verb (used with object)
1. to strike or press with crushing force
2. to put down, suppress, or silence, as with a crushing retort or argument.
–verb (used without object)
3. to make a splashing sound.
4. to tread heavily in water, mud, wet shoes, etc., with such a sound.
–noun
5. a squelched or crushed mass of anything.
6. a splashing sound.
7. an act of squelching or suppressing, as by a crushing retort or argument.
8. Also called squelch circuit, noise suppressor. Electronics . a circuit in a receiver, as a radio receiver, that automatically reduces or eliminates noise when the receiver is tuned to a frequency at which virtually no carrier wave occurs.
bijou: /bee-zhoo/
1. a jewel.
2. something small, delicate, and exquisitely wrought.
gizmo /giz-moh/
1.A mechanical device or part whose name is forgotten or unknown
sibylline: /sib-uh-lean/
1. of, resembling, or characteristic of a sibyl; prophetic
2. mysterious
tantivy: /tan-tiv-ee/
–adverb
1. at full gallop
–adjective
2. swift
–noun
3. a gallop
–interjection
4. (used as a hunting cry when the chase is at full speed.)
happy voting, chowderheads!
squelch: /skwelch/
–verb (used with object)
1. to strike or press with crushing force
2. to put down, suppress, or silence, as with a crushing retort or argument.
–verb (used without object)
3. to make a splashing sound.
4. to tread heavily in water, mud, wet shoes, etc., with such a sound.
–noun
5. a squelched or crushed mass of anything.
6. a splashing sound.
7. an act of squelching or suppressing, as by a crushing retort or argument.
8. Also called squelch circuit, noise suppressor. Electronics . a circuit in a receiver, as a radio receiver, that automatically reduces or eliminates noise when the receiver is tuned to a frequency at which virtually no carrier wave occurs.
bijou: /bee-zhoo/
1. a jewel.
2. something small, delicate, and exquisitely wrought.
gizmo /giz-moh/
1.A mechanical device or part whose name is forgotten or unknown
sibylline: /sib-uh-lean/
1. of, resembling, or characteristic of a sibyl; prophetic
2. mysterious
tantivy: /tan-tiv-ee/
–adverb
1. at full gallop
–adjective
2. swift
–noun
3. a gallop
–interjection
4. (used as a hunting cry when the chase is at full speed.)
happy voting, chowderheads!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
sibylline: /sib-uh-lean/
1. of, resembling, or characteristic of a sibyl; prophetic
2. mysterious
3. this guy....
how to use in casual conversation:
"it turns out that all that whining you did last month about it 'not feeling like summer' was incredibly sibylline."
not to be confused with:
alabastrine
how it makes me feel:
it kinda makes me feel like i'm looking at a whale in a g-string and when i say whale i mean the water mammal not as in a mean-way-of-telling-someone-something-they-already-probably-know. that is, i don't really know what anyone expects me to do with it. it's like a set of fireplace tools when you don't own a fireplace. it's like a million spoons when all you need is a knife. no, wait, that's ironic. don't you think? actually that isn't all that ironic. that's what happens when you bring a steak to an ice cream social, you fucking twit! (no, that wasn't a typo) and btw, most of that album is uncle joey's fault.
long story short: i'd rather just use the word 'prophetic'.
1. of, resembling, or characteristic of a sibyl; prophetic
2. mysterious
3. this guy....
how to use in casual conversation:
"it turns out that all that whining you did last month about it 'not feeling like summer' was incredibly sibylline."
not to be confused with:
alabastrine
how it makes me feel:
it kinda makes me feel like i'm looking at a whale in a g-string and when i say whale i mean the water mammal not as in a mean-way-of-telling-someone-something-they-already-probably-know. that is, i don't really know what anyone expects me to do with it. it's like a set of fireplace tools when you don't own a fireplace. it's like a million spoons when all you need is a knife. no, wait, that's ironic. don't you think? actually that isn't all that ironic. that's what happens when you bring a steak to an ice cream social, you fucking twit! (no, that wasn't a typo) and btw, most of that album is uncle joey's fault.
long story short: i'd rather just use the word 'prophetic'.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
RATE-A-WORD!
1. a mechanical device or part whose name is forgotten or unknown
yay for the return of rate-a-word! happy voting! (click that if you're using reader or whatever)
1. a mechanical device or part whose name is forgotten or unknown
yay for the return of rate-a-word! happy voting! (click that if you're using reader or whatever)
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
bijou: /bee-zhoo/
3. this chick......
how it makes me feel:
to be honest, it just feels good to be back. so good in fact that i will ignore the fact that this is a fairly pedestrian word not to mention being of french origin. though i suppose that i should be grateful just to have an opportunity to use a photo of james "gollum" carville.
note:
as previously mentioned i am back from my sabbatical and ready to rock and roll on that WOTD tip. there are going to be some changes and a new feature (to limit the days where i actually have to compose a post) so stick around/come back/tell your friends but not your mom. even though things are changing, rest assured that the poor grammar and large number of typos will remain.
1. a jewel.
2. something small, delicate, and exquisitely wrought.3. this chick......
how to use in casual conversation:
"this bar is......i dunno, it feels kind of, bijou. much like my heart"
not to be confused with:
bayou
"this bar is......i dunno, it feels kind of, bijou. much like my heart"
not to be confused with:
bayou
how it makes me feel:
to be honest, it just feels good to be back. so good in fact that i will ignore the fact that this is a fairly pedestrian word not to mention being of french origin. though i suppose that i should be grateful just to have an opportunity to use a photo of james "gollum" carville.
note:
as previously mentioned i am back from my sabbatical and ready to rock and roll on that WOTD tip. there are going to be some changes and a new feature (to limit the days where i actually have to compose a post) so stick around/come back/tell your friends but not your mom. even though things are changing, rest assured that the poor grammar and large number of typos will remain.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
on hiatus
i need to take a break. i am finding it more and more difficult to find the time to post and i am going to step away for a while. actually, i already have. i've just now deciding to tell you. i'll be back once i have a chance to regroup and find a way to integrate posting into my routine. so slip me into your reader there so you'll know when i've figured out how to be sly and not have anyone i work with be aware of my internet activities.
ok. thanks. bye.
pony
ok. thanks. bye.
pony
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
regnant: /reg-nuhnt/
nt/1. reigning; ruling
2. exercising authority, rule, or influence.
3. prevalent; widespread.
how to use in casual conversation:
"i am the regnant authority on this here dance floor, son"
not to be confused with:
pregnant
how it makes me feel:
i like it. this word has marbles. (balls, moxie, gravitas, etc.) it sounds like putting your sack down. well not exactly. that kinda sounds like 'thud' but you get the point. if i was arguing with someone and they pulled out regnant, there's a good chance i would capitulate. not if you and i were arguing though. only if you do so spontaneously. if i know you read my blog, it won't work.
how to use in casual conversation:
"i am the regnant authority on this here dance floor, son"
not to be confused with:
pregnant
how it makes me feel:
i like it. this word has marbles. (balls, moxie, gravitas, etc.) it sounds like putting your sack down. well not exactly. that kinda sounds like 'thud' but you get the point. if i was arguing with someone and they pulled out regnant, there's a good chance i would capitulate. not if you and i were arguing though. only if you do so spontaneously. if i know you read my blog, it won't work.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
RATE-A-WORD
foppery: /ˈfä-p(ə-)rē/
1 : foolish character or action: folly
2 : the behavior or dress of a fop
last week's result:
according to a weighted average of your votes tipple is a:
2
(2.2777777777777778 to be precise)
i didn't think it was that bad...nor was i impressed either. in the hands of a skilled and thoughtful individual this word could be used to do great things but in the hands of a moron it could lead to disaster. kinda like nuclear energy.
personal note:
happy birthday, sis.
foppery: /ˈfä-p(ə-)rē/
1 : foolish character or action: folly
2 : the behavior or dress of a fop
last week's result:
according to a weighted average of your votes tipple is a:
2
(2.2777777777777778 to be precise)
i didn't think it was that bad...nor was i impressed either. in the hands of a skilled and thoughtful individual this word could be used to do great things but in the hands of a moron it could lead to disaster. kinda like nuclear energy.
personal note:
happy birthday, sis.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
WORD OFF!
bully pulpit: /BULL-ee-PULL-pit/
a prominent public position (as a political office) that provides an opportunity for expounding one's view
vs.
plucky: /PLUHK-ee/
having or showing pluck or courage
the winner from two weeks ago:
perpend
perpend was the winner, but only by one vote. it wasn't a terribly exciting contest, i know. i think it was because neither of the words really jumped out at you, as neither was very awesome on their own. it was like watching the mariners play baltimore. yeah, somebody is gonna win, but you're still watching a couple of losers. GO MARINERS!!!
bully pulpit: /BULL-ee-PULL-pit/
a prominent public position (as a political office) that provides an opportunity for expounding one's view
vs.
plucky: /PLUHK-ee/
having or showing pluck or courage
the winner from two weeks ago:
perpend
perpend was the winner, but only by one vote. it wasn't a terribly exciting contest, i know. i think it was because neither of the words really jumped out at you, as neither was very awesome on their own. it was like watching the mariners play baltimore. yeah, somebody is gonna win, but you're still watching a couple of losers. GO MARINERS!!!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
habitué: /huh-bich-oo-ey/
a frequent or habitual visitor to a place
how to use in casual conversation:
"i could easily see myself becoming a habitué of titty bars, but not until i am much, much older."
not to be confused with:
festue
how it makes me feel:
xenophobic. look, i don't believe that it's ok to pre-judge any person based on where they come from or look like. it's just kind of wrong. sure there are certain qualities that are unique to each culture; we all want to be part of something and sometimes the best way of doing that is to choose some arbitrary way of doing things, propagating it through the culture, eventually, collectively saying "it's just who we are". but with that said, i hate the french. not because of WWII, not because they wouldn't invade iraq, just because i hate arrogance. also (may have said this before) i used to work for a french company and let's just say i wouldn't do that again. so while i would never turn my back on french person, i can say, without reservation, fuck the french.
a frequent or habitual visitor to a place
how to use in casual conversation:
"i could easily see myself becoming a habitué of titty bars, but not until i am much, much older."
not to be confused with:
festue
how it makes me feel:
xenophobic. look, i don't believe that it's ok to pre-judge any person based on where they come from or look like. it's just kind of wrong. sure there are certain qualities that are unique to each culture; we all want to be part of something and sometimes the best way of doing that is to choose some arbitrary way of doing things, propagating it through the culture, eventually, collectively saying "it's just who we are". but with that said, i hate the french. not because of WWII, not because they wouldn't invade iraq, just because i hate arrogance. also (may have said this before) i used to work for a french company and let's just say i wouldn't do that again. so while i would never turn my back on french person, i can say, without reservation, fuck the french.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
RATE-A-WORD
tipple: /tip-uhl/
1. to drink intoxicating liquor, esp. habitually or to some excess.
2. to drink (intoxicating liquor), esp. repeatedly, in small quantities.
3. intoxicating liquor.
last week's results:
based on a weighted average of your votes, mugwump is a
4
(4.346153846 to be precise, not to mention the highest ranking word ever in the history of the R-A-W feature)
good job peoples.
tipple: /tip-uhl/
1. to drink intoxicating liquor, esp. habitually or to some excess.
2. to drink (intoxicating liquor), esp. repeatedly, in small quantities.
3. intoxicating liquor.
last week's results:
based on a weighted average of your votes, mugwump is a
4
(4.346153846 to be precise, not to mention the highest ranking word ever in the history of the R-A-W feature)
good job peoples.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
RATE-A-WORD
mugwump: /muhg-wuhmp/
mugwump: /muhg-wuhmp/
1. a Republican who refused to support the party nominee, James G. Blaine, in the presidential campaign of 1884.
2. a person who is unable to make up his or her mind on an issue, esp. in politics; a person who is neutral on a controversial issue.
this was technically yesterday's word but i'm making an exception for the sake of us having a rad R-A-W this week.
last week's results:
based on a weighted average of your votes iatrogenic is a:
4
(3.714285714 to be precise)
i'm satisfied with the result. that's all.
this was technically yesterday's word but i'm making an exception for the sake of us having a rad R-A-W this week.
last week's results:
based on a weighted average of your votes iatrogenic is a:
4
(3.714285714 to be precise)
i'm satisfied with the result. that's all.
WORD OFF!
perpend: /pur-puhnd/
vs.
plagiary: /ˈplā-jē-er-ē/
1 : archaic one that plagiarizes
2 : plagiarism
results from two weeks ago:
you all decided that wastrel and alacrity are equals? you all can kiss my ghostly pale irish ass.
perpend: /pur-puh
nd/–noun
a large stone passing through the entire thickness of a wall.
–verb (used with object)
to consider.
vs.
plagiary: /ˈplā-jē-er-ē/
1 : archaic one that plagiarizes
2 : plagiarism
results from two weeks ago:
you all decided that wastrel and alacrity are equals? you all can kiss my ghostly pale irish ass.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
vamoose: /va-moos/
to leave hurriedly or quickly; decamp.
how to use in casual conversation:
"that asshole vamoosed with all the beer"
"sir, i'm afraid i'm going to have to ask you to vamoose the premises"
not to be confused with:
trampoose
how it makes me feel:
as my good friend would say "sexcellent". i really like this word. why? because it sounds fun. it's a fairly dismissive term but it also has a hint of whimsy to it. it's like referring to someone you think is an asshole by calling them 'fluffy' or something like that. i.e.:
"hey fluffy, vamoose!"
also, it's origins are reportedly rooted in the spanish "vamos" (to go) and was bastardized and folded into american culture, much like a burrito or the pervasive use of ground beef, cheese and lettuce to make tacos. lastly, the '-moose' sound is pretty prevalent here which is just an extra bonus since i borrowed 'into the wild' from the library and watched it while i was home sick today (actually yesterday, it's confusing since i'm writing this today and not yesterday) and if that poor bastard had just been able to keep those maggots off that moose meat, jon krakauer would've only been known for hating mormons. or something like that.
apology:
i've been slacking. i know. it's just that when i'm at work they kind of expect me to do work now. it's weird for me too. also, i was in vegas over the weekend celebrating my homies' bachelor party. which probably explains why i was home sick yesterday. i'm catching up. i'm sorry.
to leave hurriedly or quickly; decamp.
how to use in casual conversation:
"that asshole vamoosed with all the beer"
"sir, i'm afraid i'm going to have to ask you to vamoose the premises"
not to be confused with:
trampoose
how it makes me feel:
as my good friend would say "sexcellent". i really like this word. why? because it sounds fun. it's a fairly dismissive term but it also has a hint of whimsy to it. it's like referring to someone you think is an asshole by calling them 'fluffy' or something like that. i.e.:
"hey fluffy, vamoose!"
also, it's origins are reportedly rooted in the spanish "vamos" (to go) and was bastardized and folded into american culture, much like a burrito or the pervasive use of ground beef, cheese and lettuce to make tacos. lastly, the '-moose' sound is pretty prevalent here which is just an extra bonus since i borrowed 'into the wild' from the library and watched it while i was home sick today (actually yesterday, it's confusing since i'm writing this today and not yesterday) and if that poor bastard had just been able to keep those maggots off that moose meat, jon krakauer would've only been known for hating mormons. or something like that.
apology:
i've been slacking. i know. it's just that when i'm at work they kind of expect me to do work now. it's weird for me too. also, i was in vegas over the weekend celebrating my homies' bachelor party. which probably explains why i was home sick yesterday. i'm catching up. i'm sorry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
