Word of the day - ANTITHESIS

The word today is Antithesis

Antithesis is a noun and means the following:

- The opposite of something, in meaning or action

You are the antithesis of me

England pronounces Antithesis like Ant-Ith-E-Sis (Not Anti-Thesis)

Antithesis is an opposite, whereas Antipathy is an emotional state

If you are said to be the antithesis of big, you are deemed small

You may substitute the word opposite for antithesis

"You're the opposite of big" = "You're the antithesis of big"

If you need more start here or here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Word of the day - SMUG

The word today is Smug

Smug is an adjective and from my research means the following:

- To be too pleased or satisfied about your knowledge or achievements

- To attempt to belittle others by your dress or demeaner

- To be scrupulously clean, neat, or overly correct in chosen attire

Smug by nature and attire?

Smug is a word with dual uses, regarding personal behaviour or attire

If someone says you are smug, or being smug it is not a compliment

To act smugly or exhibit smugness is not generally a desirable trait

Smugness and gloating are interchangeable in use.

Your appearance may be smug (overly smart) but you may not be smug

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Word of the day - MORES

The word today is Mores

Mores a collective plural noun and means the following:

- The accepted or traditionally held belief(s) of a country or population

- The traditional ways of behaving, typical of a society or parts thereof 

- The manners, ways and moral attitudes most common in a population

Collective sets of characteristics, actions or beliefs identify social mores of a group. E.G. Americans are loud and proud, Canadians not so.

Mores may be nothing other than a mutual understanding that moderates behaviour of individuals and countries. E.G. In the UK we queue respectfully, in Japan they bow a lot.

Think of mores as "this is the way we do things".

If you need more start here or here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Word of the day - INDEX OF WORDS

These are the words in the "Word of the day" series.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

A few word entries indicate how it would be pronounced in England, (i.e. how I would say it), but as this talented voice coach proves, geographic origin is the dominant influencer of pronunciation.

Click on each to read about it.

#1 ENNUI

#2 MELANCHOLY

#3 ONOMATOPOEIA

#4 PUSILLANIMOUS

#5 SANCTIMONY

#6 SAPPHIC

#7 DUPLICITUS

#8 SUPERCILIOUS

#9 PEDANTIC

#10 MALLEABLE

#11 FEBRILE

#12 LICKSPITTLE

#13 FENDERSMITH

#14 FRIPPERY

#15 CURMUDGEON

#16 NIGGARD

#17 FLUMMOX

#18 CORNUCOPIA

#19 DISPASSIONATELY

#20 DISCOMBOBULATION

#21 SCHADENFREUDE

#22 INCONTROVERTIBLE

#23 FECUNDITY

#24 DISSOLUTION

#25 GALLIMAUFRY

#26 OBFUSCATION

#27 POLYSEMY

#28 FACETIOUS

#30 OBSEQUIOUS

#31 CIRCUMSPECTION

#32 GAWPING

#33 FULMINATING

#34 ENCOMIUM

#35 MALEFICENCE

#36 CORUSCATE

#37 TEMERITY

#38 HUBRIS

#39 TRUCULENCE

#40 RIGMAROLE

#41 PERNICIOUS

#42 ACCRETION

#43 NITHERED

#44 NARCISSISM

#45 FESTOON

#46 GOBSMACKED

#47 FUGUE

#48 ERUDITE

#49 ELOCUTION

#50 MACHINATIONS

#51 ABROGATE

#52 SOUPÇON

#53 ACERBIC

#54 BLIMEY

#55 CRIKEY

#56 MISANTHROPIC

#57 AVUNCULAR

#58 FRITTER

#59 SHENANIGANS

#60 SARDONIC

#61 GINORMOUS

#62 INSIDIOUS

#63 LASCIVIOUS

#64 FRISSON

#65 MESSIANIC

#66 COTERIE

#67 JITTERY

#68 OMNIPOTENCE

#69 MAELSTROM

#70 GIGIL

#71 ANTIPATHY

#72 GOBBLEDYGOOK

#73 LUMMOX

#74 MOPE

#75 MORES

#76 SMUG

#77 ANTITHESIS

#78 ACOLYTE

#79 SYCOPHANT

Word of the day - MOPE

The word today is Mope

Mope is a intransitive verb, meaning a verb or verb construction that does not require or cannot take a direct object (such as snow or sleep). It appeared in English in the 1560s, from Dutch and German sources; giving it many meanings:

- To think gloomily about something, possibly into dejection

- To be unhappy and unwilling to be positive in any way

- To give oneself over to brooding, listlessness and dejection

- To be dull and without spirit, spending time doing very little

- To have a listless or aimless manner as if sad or depressed

This child looks like she is moping!

England pronounces mope like mowp and mowp-ing, though it not a frequently used word.

At the time of a person having a mope they are said to be moping

If you mope, or you're moping people may say you are being moody

Some replace "He's moping" with "He's sulking" or "Sorry for himself"

To often mope people will eventually refer to you as "a misery guts"

The word sulking could replace moping in many sentences (I think)

If you need more start here or here or better still here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Word of the day - LUMMOX

The word today is Lummox

Lummox is a noun and means the following:

-  A clumsy or stupid person

- A fat or ungainly awkward bungler

Lummox is still in use, becoming less so because of "PC" sensibility

To be called a lummox can be an insult or a term of endearment

"You're a right lummox" = you are and idiot (or worse)

"My my, you're a bit of a lummox today" =  you're being a bit stupid

If you need more start here or here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Word of the day - GOBBLEDYGOOK

The word today is Gobbledygook

Gobbledygook is a noun and means the following:

- Words or instruction that seem important or credible but are not

- Words or speech that is unclear, actual nonsense or incomprehensible

- Overly complicated or jargon filled information few can understand

- Information or language rendered by an encryption process

England pronounces Gobbledygook like Gobble-Dee-Gook

The first recorded use of the word gobbledygook was in memo date March 30th 1944, by a Texas politician called Maury Maverick, who got sick of  incomprehensible answers and said he wanted no more "gobbledygook language". Maverick said he made up the word in imitation of turkey noise.

If someone says, "that's gobbledygook" they mean it's rubbish

If you speak gobbledygook people will tend to ignore you

It is said that most politician's speech is often gobbledygook 

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Word of the day - ANTIPATHY

The word today is Antipathy

Antipathy is a noun and means the following:

- A strong dislike of something, someone, practices or ideas

- To exhibit opposition or aversion, possibly with anger and violence

England pronounces Antipathy like Ant-Ip-A-Thee (Not Anti-Pathy)

Antipathy is an emotional state, whereas Antithesis is an opposite

Antipathy can range from "couldn't care less" to violent opposition

Anyone can express antipathy by speech or action(s), or be accused of it

Antipathy is best avoided (from others) or as a personal state of mind

President Donald Trump and his coterie have much antipathy

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Word of the day - GIGIL

The word today is Gigil

I have added this to our list of "Words Of The Day" because it is literally a word newly accepted into "official" English usage as, for example the German word, SCHADENFREUDE. This is an import into the English language from the Philippines. Here is what it means.

Giggle is not new but gigil is

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Word of the day - MAELSTROM

The word today is Maelstrom

Maelstrom is a noun and means the following:

- A situation of great turbulence, confusion, destruction or upheaval

- A violent and powerfully destructive whirlpool of water

Original 1919  illustration by Harry Clarke

Maelstrom is originally a Dutch word, first recorded in 1588

Maelstrom morphed from "grinding stream", its original meaning

From a raging whirlpool, Maelstrom has become more nuanced 

In modern parlance a Maelstrom is not good to be in, or near

A maelstrom is an uncontrollable and chaotic situation to avoid

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Word of the day - OMNIPOTENCE

The word today is Omnipotence

Omnipotence is a noun and means the following:

- The expression/exhibition of  unlimited power able to do anything

- The action(s) of someone who is omnipotent (all powerful)

- The exhibition of being a supreme power (an omnipotent person)

If you are actually omnipotent you are said to have omnipotence

You can show your omnipotence only if you are omnipotent

If some say you are omnipotent they mean god-like or "top-dog"

An omnipotent dog could bite anyone anytime with impunity

Dictators often assume they have omnipotence

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Word of the day - JITTERY

The word today is Jittery

Jittery is an adjective and from my research means the following:

- To be having a feeling or unease or apprehension

- To be slightly uncontrolled in movement or mind

- To be showing nervousness or fear about something

- To be tense and easily upset or frightened

Have you ever had "the jitters"?

If your physical or mental behaviour is jittery you have "the jitters"

Whilst having/suffering "the jitters" you are said to be jittering 

If someone says you are jittering they think you unduly agitated

If someone thinks you jittery they mean you have a nervous disposition

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Word of the day - COTERIE

Coterie is a noun and means the following:

- An intimate group with unifying common interests or purpose

- An often exclusive and sometimes private group of people

Coterie's are not necessarily a "clique of mates"

England pronounces Coterie like Coat-A-Ree

Coterie is often applied to groups in a negative or condescending tone

Those in a coterie may be friends, colleagues, believers or conspirators 

Coterie members are seen as a "hanger-on", lickspittle or sycophant 

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Word of the day - MESSIANIC

The word today is Messianic

Messianic is an adjective and from my research means the following:

- To be characterised (by followers) as being a Messiah

- To expresses thoughts, actions, words or beliefs as if a messiah

- To project a persona of a messiah or saviour to followers/believers

- To exert influence or control (benevolent or otherwise) over believers

70's cult leader Charles Manson - a messiah to followers.

A word open to misappropriation, positive or negative, skewed by belief

If someone says you are messianic they believe you be be influential

If someone says you're messianic you may be saintly or a devil for them

A person, group or nation may be deemed messianic

In a non-religious world being messianic usually is "bad" behaviour

In a religious world being messianic could be "good" or "bad"

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Word of the day - FRISSON

The word today is Frisson (Free-sohn)

This is a bit of a departure for us today as this is actually a French word, not from my native English.

Frisson is a noun and from my research means the following:

- A brief moment of intense arousal (pleasure/fear/peace/awe)

- A sudden feeling of excitement (or fear) giving pleasure or satisfaction

- A temporary rush of emotion(s) triggered by internal or external trigger(s)

French for shiver apparently

It is not known how many languages this French word has been absorbed into.

Frisson is a wonderful word encompassing many "feelings" 

Frisson is a pysical response to an emotional ocurrence (and vice-versa)

Frisson is described by the English phrase "A shiver down my back".

Frisson may also be described as "Made my hair stand on end"

A frisson may result from fear, happiness, contentment, awe or expectation

If you need more start here, here, here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Word of the day - LASCIVIOUS

The word today is Lascivious

Lascivious is an adjective and from my research means the following:

- Expressing a strong desire for sexual activity

- To be lustful, possibly in a predatory sense

- To be insatiable with regard to lustful desire(s)

Not good to be Lascivious!

England pronounces Lascivious like Lass-Iv-E-Uss

By acting lasciviously you are exhibiting lasciviousness

By acting lasciviously you are being lascivious

If someone says you are lascivious they think you sex-mad and creepy

Lasciviousness  is not what you want to be accused of!

Lasciviousness applies to any person, akin to predatory nymphomania

Lascivious and Libidinous of get mixed-up

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Word of the day - INSIDIOUS

The word today is Insidious

Insidious is an adjective and from my research means the following:

- Working or spreading harmfully in subtle and stealthy ways.

- Steadfastly working to entrap or introduce treachery to others.

- To be unremitting in a beguiling yet harmful enterprise.

- Secretly and gradually cause harm(s) .

Insidious means an ongoing corruption is in play!

To be insidious you or they are unrelenting and deviously malignant

Acting insidiously, your insidious aim will reveal its insidiousness

If someone says you are insidious they think you are a bad influence

Insidiousness is not what you want to be accused of!

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Word of the day - GINORMOUS

The word today is Ginormous

Ginormous is an adjective and from my research means the following:

- To be very large or even enormous

- To be classed as bigger than the norm in size or scale, scope or cost 

That is a ginormous cup of coffee

England pronounces Ginormous like  Ji-Nor-Mus

Some do not accept ginormous as a true word

Ginormous is a contraction of gigantic + enormous first noted in 1942

If someone says you are ginormous they imply you are big/fat

A very successful career or achievement could be a ginormous success

Humongous means the same and may be used in place of Ginormous

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.

Word of the day - SARDONIC

The word today is Sardonic

Sardonic is an adjective and from my research means the following:

- To speak scornfully or be cynically sceptical about a subject

- To express truths or opinions by clever and disdainful mocking

- To be critically truthful without intended humour

There is no humour in being sardonic

Sardonicism is a the frequent use of sardonic speech

If someone says you are sardonic they suggest a "dry" cynical wit

A sardonic sense of humour is measured, deliberate and often acerbic

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

If you are brave or foolish enough to dig into the different types of words in English, try this.