WOTD – May 8th, 2007: kibitz

kibitz (KIB-its) verb intr. 1. To look on at some activity and offer unwanted advice or criticism. 2. To chat or banter. [From Yiddish kibitsen, from German kiebitzen (to look on at cards), from Kiebitz (busybody, literally pewit or lapwing, a shorebird with a bad reputation as a meddler).] I often play chess, checkers, cribbage [...]

WOTD – May 2nd, 2007: Asyndeton

asyndeton (uh-SIN-di-ton, -tuhn) noun Omission of conjunctions, as in “I came, I saw, I conquered.” [From Late Latin, from Greek, from neuter of asyndetos (not linked), from a- + syndetos (bound together), from syndein (to bind together), from syn- + dein (to bind).] Our 11th grade English teacher thought it would be fun to host [...]

WOTD – April 30th, 2007: Haplography

haplography (hap-LOG-ruh-fee) noun Accidental omission of a letter or letter group that should be repeated in writing, for example, “mispell” for “misspell”. [From Greek haplo- (single) + -graphy (writing).] Mrs. Crispin, the sixth grade language arts teacher, spent an entire hour on the common mistakes made in everyday spelling. One of the things she discussed [...]

WOTD – April 26th, 2007: Facetious

facetious (fuh-SEE-shus) adjective Jocular or humorous, often inappropriately. [From Latin facetus (witty).] Marvin didn’t realize that his comments about the weight Joan had put on over the last two weeks were a sad attempt at being humorous, and instead just came off as being facetious and hurtful. Joan sighed in frustration at her husband’s lack [...]