2010-12-21
paraprosdokian
A paraprosdokian (from Greek "παρα-", meaning "beyond" and "προσδοκία", meaning "expectation") is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe or reinterpret the first part. - from Wikipedia
2010-12-20
ultracrepidarian
Ultracrepidarianism is the habit of giving opinions and advice on matters outside of one's knowledge. - from Wikipedia
It's an inkhorn term.
c.f. The cobbler should stick to his last.
It's an inkhorn term.
c.f. The cobbler should stick to his last.
2010-12-08
African American saying about brokenness
From the episode titled "A Louse in a Wrestling Jacket", here are ways to say "I don't have money" in African American communities.
- I'm so broke I couldn't buy a louse (or flea or mosquito) a wrestling jacket.
- I'm so broke I couldn't buy a crippled crab a crutch if I had a forest of small trees.
- I'm so broke that the soles of my shoes are so thin that if I step on a dime I could tell whether it's heads or tails.
- I'm so broke that I cannot afford to pay attention.
2010-11-28
Words from The Science of Depression
Words from the Biotech Nation episode "The Science of Depression":
G protein signaling
seratonin
cytoskeleton
mitosis
anti-depressant
norepinephrine
dopamine
CRF: corticotropin-releasing factor
Gs alpha
lipid raft
dendrite
Lexapro
S-enantiomer of citalopram
R-enantiomer
platelet
fluoride activated adenylyl cyclase
cyclic AMP
prostaglandin sensitive adenylyl cyclase
G protein signaling
seratonin
cytoskeleton
mitosis
anti-depressant
norepinephrine
dopamine
CRF: corticotropin-releasing factor
Gs alpha
lipid raft
dendrite
Lexapro
S-enantiomer of citalopram
R-enantiomer
platelet
fluoride activated adenylyl cyclase
cyclic AMP
prostaglandin sensitive adenylyl cyclase
2010-08-31
2010-08-19
pontificate
1. To express opinions or judgments in a dogmatic way.
2. To administer the office of a pontiff.
pontiff:
1. a. The pope. b. A bishop.
2. A pontifex.
2. To administer the office of a pontiff.
pontiff:
1. a. The pope. b. A bishop.
2. A pontifex.
ontogeny
The origin and development of an individual organism from embryo to adult. Also called ontogenesis.
The genome is not the program; it's the data. The program is the ontogeny of the organism.
The genome is not the program; it's the data. The program is the ontogeny of the organism.
2010-08-17
Tumultuous
1. Characterized by tumult; noisy and disorderly: tumultuous applause.
2. Tending to cause tumult.
3. Confusedly or violently agitated.
Tumult:
1. The din and commotion of a great crowd.
2. a. A disorderly commotion or disturbance. b. A tempestuous uprising; a riot.
3. Agitation of the mind or emotions: 的 spend much time in a tumult of anger and disbelief・(Scott Turow).
Commotion:
1. A condition of turbulent motion.
2. a. An agitated disturbance; a hubbub: heard a commotion in the hall. b. Civil disturbance or insurrection; disorder.
2010-07-24
2010-06-05
2010-05-17
deliberate, feign, confabulate, relativistic
deliberate: v. To think carefully and often slowly, as about a choice to be made.
Some decisions are the result of logical deliberation.
feign: a. To give a false appearance of: feign sleep. b. To represent falsely; pretend to: feign
authorship of a novel. See synonyms at pretend.
We feign accuracy in mapping our feeling onto numbers or dollars.
confabulate:
1. To talk casually; chat.
2. Psychology. To replace fact with fantasy unconsciously in memory.
The ability to confabulate -- to tell stories smoothing over the rough edges of experience -- is part of being human.
relativistic: Of or relating to relativism.
One is the relativistic nature of money.
Some decisions are the result of logical deliberation.
feign: a. To give a false appearance of: feign sleep. b. To represent falsely; pretend to: feign
authorship of a novel. See synonyms at pretend.
We feign accuracy in mapping our feeling onto numbers or dollars.
confabulate:
1. To talk casually; chat.
2. Psychology. To replace fact with fantasy unconsciously in memory.
The ability to confabulate -- to tell stories smoothing over the rough edges of experience -- is part of being human.
relativistic: Of or relating to relativism.
One is the relativistic nature of money.
2010-05-15
deviant, venereal, ersatz, monstrous, gullible, hardy
deviant:
Differing from a norm or from the accepted standards of a society.
venereal:
a. Transmitted by sexual intercourse. b. Of or relating to a sexually transmitted disease.
perhaps I have an incurable venereal disease.
ersatz:
Being an imitation or a substitute, usually an inferior one; artificial: ersatz coffee made mostly of chicory.
Durham was on the sixteenth floor, but the building was hemmed in on all sides by ugly late-twenties office towers, blue and pink ersatz-marble monstrosities; no expensive harbor views here.
monstrous:
Shockingly hideous or frightful.
gullible:
Easily deceived or duped.
For someone who was ripping off gullible millionaires -- or even someone who merely sold them insurance -- Durham didn't seem to have much to show for it.
hardy:
Being in robust and sturdy good health.
It's not intrinsically hardier; it's just better protected by the ocean.
Differing from a norm or from the accepted standards of a society.
venereal:
a. Transmitted by sexual intercourse. b. Of or relating to a sexually transmitted disease.
perhaps I have an incurable venereal disease.
ersatz:
Being an imitation or a substitute, usually an inferior one; artificial: ersatz coffee made mostly of chicory.
Durham was on the sixteenth floor, but the building was hemmed in on all sides by ugly late-twenties office towers, blue and pink ersatz-marble monstrosities; no expensive harbor views here.
monstrous:
Shockingly hideous or frightful.
gullible:
Easily deceived or duped.
For someone who was ripping off gullible millionaires -- or even someone who merely sold them insurance -- Durham didn't seem to have much to show for it.
hardy:
Being in robust and sturdy good health.
It's not intrinsically hardier; it's just better protected by the ocean.
2010-05-14
2010-05-13
tenacious, unrepentant
tenacious: Holding or tending to hold persistently to something, such as a point of view.
Those hunches are amazingly tenacious.
unrepentant: Having or exhibiting no remorse.
When the matter was explained at length, many subjects remained unconvinced, uncertain, or unrepentant.
Those hunches are amazingly tenacious.
unrepentant: Having or exhibiting no remorse.
When the matter was explained at length, many subjects remained unconvinced, uncertain, or unrepentant.
2010-05-11
morbid, excrement, poignant, egregious, exert
morbid:
a. Of, relating to, or caused by disease; pathological or diseased. b. Psychologically unhealthy or unwholesome: "He suffered much from a morbid acuteness of the senses" (Edgar Allan Poe).
2. Characterized by preoccupation with unwholesome thoughts or feelings: read the account of the murder with a morbid interest.
3. Gruesome; grisly.
excrement:
Waste material, especially fecal matter, that is expelled from the body after digestion.
poignant:
a. Physically painful: "Keen, poignant agonies seemed to shoot from his neck downward" (Ambrose Bierce). b. Keenly distressing to the mind or feelings: poignant anxiety. c. Profoundly moving; touching: a poignant memory. See synonyms at moving.
egregious:
Conspicuously bad or offensive. See synonyms at flagrant.
conspicuous:
1. Easy to notice; obvious.
2. Attracting attention, as by being unusual or remarkable; noticeable. See synonyms at noticeable.
exert:
To put to use or effect; put forth: exerted all my strength to move the box.
a. Of, relating to, or caused by disease; pathological or diseased. b. Psychologically unhealthy or unwholesome: "He suffered much from a morbid acuteness of the senses" (Edgar Allan Poe).
2. Characterized by preoccupation with unwholesome thoughts or feelings: read the account of the murder with a morbid interest.
3. Gruesome; grisly.
excrement:
Waste material, especially fecal matter, that is expelled from the body after digestion.
poignant:
a. Physically painful: "Keen, poignant agonies seemed to shoot from his neck downward" (Ambrose Bierce). b. Keenly distressing to the mind or feelings: poignant anxiety. c. Profoundly moving; touching: a poignant memory. See synonyms at moving.
egregious:
Conspicuously bad or offensive. See synonyms at flagrant.
conspicuous:
1. Easy to notice; obvious.
2. Attracting attention, as by being unusual or remarkable; noticeable. See synonyms at noticeable.
exert:
To put to use or effect; put forth: exerted all my strength to move the box.
2010-05-08
craven, despicable, deplore, impasse
craven: Characterized by abject fear; cowardly.
abject:
1. Brought low in condition or status. See synonyms at mean2.
2. Being of the most contemptible kind: abject cowardice.
3. Being of the most miserable kind; wretched: abject poverty.
despicable: Deserving of contempt or scorn; vile.
deplore:
1. To feel or express strong disapproval of; condemn: "Somehow we had to master events, not simply deplore them" (Henry A. Kissinger).
2. To express sorrow or grief over.
3. To regret; bemoan.
impasse:
1. A road or passage having no exit; a cul-de-sac.
2. A situation that is so difficult that no progress can be made; a deadlock or a stalemate: reached an impasse in the negotiations.
I find Hatoyama's behavior craven and despicable, but I deplore even more the U.S. government's arrogance in forcing the Japanese to this deeply humiliating impasse.
abject:
1. Brought low in condition or status. See synonyms at mean2.
2. Being of the most contemptible kind: abject cowardice.
3. Being of the most miserable kind; wretched: abject poverty.
despicable: Deserving of contempt or scorn; vile.
deplore:
1. To feel or express strong disapproval of; condemn: "Somehow we had to master events, not simply deplore them" (Henry A. Kissinger).
2. To express sorrow or grief over.
3. To regret; bemoan.
impasse:
1. A road or passage having no exit; a cul-de-sac.
2. A situation that is so difficult that no progress can be made; a deadlock or a stalemate: reached an impasse in the negotiations.
I find Hatoyama's behavior craven and despicable, but I deplore even more the U.S. government's arrogance in forcing the Japanese to this deeply humiliating impasse.
2010-04-15
ultracrepidarian
One who speaks above his level of knowledge, experience or expertise. From Latin Ultra=above & beyond + crepis-idis=sole,keel.
2010-04-11
lucubrate
To write in a scholarly fashion; produce scholarship.
[Latin lucubrbre, l昱ubrat-, to work at night by lamplight.]
[Latin lucubrbre, l昱ubrat-, to work at night by lamplight.]
2010-04-10
seigniorage
Revenue or a profit taken from the minting of coins, usually the difference between the value of the bullion used and the face value of the coin.
2010-01-28
Smart.fm SAT verbal advanced, lesson 5
obviate: to effectively dispose of; to make unnecessary; avert, forestall, prevent
One of the advantages of having a bald head is that it obviates the need for a haircut.
decipher: to read or interpret; convert from a code; decrypt
It took a team of experts years to decipher the message on the scroll.
consternation: great fear or shock that makes one feel helpless or bewildered
bewildered: to confuse or befuddle, especially with numerous conflicting situations, objects or statements
They felt great consternation when they realized they were lost.
abate: to diminish in intensity, violence, amount; to subtract
They were relieved that the violent thunderstorm had finally abated.
forage: search for food or provisions
provisions: a stock of necessary supplies, especially food
Panda bears spend most of their time foraging for food.
duress: constraint by threat; imprisonment
Her father put her under great duress to apologize.
fissure: a long, narrow, deep cleft or crack
cleft: a crack, crevice, or split
These huge fissures in the glacier were attributed to the effects of global warming.
restitution: return to a former condition or situation
He was ordered to make restitution to the company he had stolen money from.
forlorn: without hope; desperate
She was deeply forlorn over the death of her husband.
conciliatory: tending to reconcile
The counselor encouraged the couple to adopt a more conciliatory approach.
One of the advantages of having a bald head is that it obviates the need for a haircut.
decipher: to read or interpret; convert from a code; decrypt
It took a team of experts years to decipher the message on the scroll.
consternation: great fear or shock that makes one feel helpless or bewildered
bewildered: to confuse or befuddle, especially with numerous conflicting situations, objects or statements
They felt great consternation when they realized they were lost.
abate: to diminish in intensity, violence, amount; to subtract
They were relieved that the violent thunderstorm had finally abated.
forage: search for food or provisions
provisions: a stock of necessary supplies, especially food
Panda bears spend most of their time foraging for food.
duress: constraint by threat; imprisonment
Her father put her under great duress to apologize.
fissure: a long, narrow, deep cleft or crack
cleft: a crack, crevice, or split
These huge fissures in the glacier were attributed to the effects of global warming.
restitution: return to a former condition or situation
He was ordered to make restitution to the company he had stolen money from.
forlorn: without hope; desperate
She was deeply forlorn over the death of her husband.
conciliatory: tending to reconcile
The counselor encouraged the couple to adopt a more conciliatory approach.
2010-01-27
Smart.fm SAT verbal advanced, lesson 4
inexorable: not to be moved by entreaty; unyielding; relentless
entreaty: an earnest request or petition; a plea
In the boxing ring, he was an inexorable opponent.
proliferate: to quickly reproduce or spread
Wildflowers proliferate in the meadow outside our home.
recalcitrant: stubbornly resistant to and defiant of authority, discipline or guidance
defy: to oppose or resist with boldness and assurance
The recalcitrant child refused to listen to his teacher.
treachery: perfidy, disloyalty, or treason
perfidy: deliberate breach of faith; calculated violation of trust
His treachery was eventually discovered.
grouse: complain; grumble
He frequently groused about his computer's poor performance.
waft: float, as on the wind
With a gentle puff, she sent the seeds wafting into the summer breeze.
caustic: corrosive; that which can destroy tissue by chemical action
Caustic substances should be safely stored in sealed containers.
pundit: actual or self-professed authority
The former journalist was now a political pundit on a cable television talk show.
exhort: urge
The energertic cheerleaders exhorted their team to win.
entreaty: an earnest request or petition; a plea
In the boxing ring, he was an inexorable opponent.
proliferate: to quickly reproduce or spread
Wildflowers proliferate in the meadow outside our home.
recalcitrant: stubbornly resistant to and defiant of authority, discipline or guidance
defy: to oppose or resist with boldness and assurance
The recalcitrant child refused to listen to his teacher.
treachery: perfidy, disloyalty, or treason
perfidy: deliberate breach of faith; calculated violation of trust
His treachery was eventually discovered.
grouse: complain; grumble
He frequently groused about his computer's poor performance.
waft: float, as on the wind
With a gentle puff, she sent the seeds wafting into the summer breeze.
caustic: corrosive; that which can destroy tissue by chemical action
Caustic substances should be safely stored in sealed containers.
pundit: actual or self-professed authority
The former journalist was now a political pundit on a cable television talk show.
exhort: urge
The energertic cheerleaders exhorted their team to win.
2010-01-24
Smart.fm SAT verbal advanced, lesson 3
recalcitrant: stubbornly resistant to and defiant of authority, discipline or guidance
The recalcitrant child refused to listen to his teacher.
inexorable: not to be moved by entreaty; unyielding; relentless
entreaty: an earnest request or petition; a plea
In the boxing ring, he was an inexorable opponent.
proliferate: to quickly reproduce or spread
Wildflowers proliferate in the meadow outside out home.
meadow: a tract of glassland, either in its natural state or used as pasture or for growing hay
pasture: glass or other vegetation eaten as food by grazing animals
tract: an expanse of land or water
treachery: perfidy, disloyalty, or treason
perfidy: deliberate breach of faith; calculated violation of trust; treachery
His treachery was eventually discovered.
grouse: complain; grumble
He frequently groused about his computer's poor performance.
occult: secret; esoteric
esoteric: intended for or understood by only a particular group
She takes her passion for the occult a little to seriously
waft: float, as on the wind
With a gentle puff, she sent the seeds wafting into the summer breeze.
puff: a short, forceful exhalation of breath
caustic: corrosive; that which can destroy tissue by chemical action
Caustic substances should be safely stored in sealed containers.
pundit: actual or self0professed authority
profess: to affirm openly
The former journalist was now a political pundit on a a cable television talk show.
exhort: urge
To urge by strong, often stirring argument, admonition, advice or appeal
admonition: mild, kind, yet earnest reproof
reprove: to voice or convey disapproval of
The energetic cheerleaders exhorted their team to win.
The recalcitrant child refused to listen to his teacher.
inexorable: not to be moved by entreaty; unyielding; relentless
entreaty: an earnest request or petition; a plea
In the boxing ring, he was an inexorable opponent.
proliferate: to quickly reproduce or spread
Wildflowers proliferate in the meadow outside out home.
meadow: a tract of glassland, either in its natural state or used as pasture or for growing hay
pasture: glass or other vegetation eaten as food by grazing animals
tract: an expanse of land or water
treachery: perfidy, disloyalty, or treason
perfidy: deliberate breach of faith; calculated violation of trust; treachery
His treachery was eventually discovered.
grouse: complain; grumble
He frequently groused about his computer's poor performance.
occult: secret; esoteric
esoteric: intended for or understood by only a particular group
She takes her passion for the occult a little to seriously
waft: float, as on the wind
With a gentle puff, she sent the seeds wafting into the summer breeze.
puff: a short, forceful exhalation of breath
caustic: corrosive; that which can destroy tissue by chemical action
Caustic substances should be safely stored in sealed containers.
pundit: actual or self0professed authority
profess: to affirm openly
The former journalist was now a political pundit on a a cable television talk show.
exhort: urge
To urge by strong, often stirring argument, admonition, advice or appeal
admonition: mild, kind, yet earnest reproof
reprove: to voice or convey disapproval of
The energetic cheerleaders exhorted their team to win.
2010-01-24 smart.fm
incursion: a raid or invasion; the act of entering another's territory or domain
What was at first an incursion had become a lengthy occupation.
impeccable: without defect or error; flawless
requiem: a religious or musical service for the dead
intractable: difficult to manage or govern; stubborn
The businessman found himself struggling with an intractable situation.
seminal: of reproduction; germinal; originative
on AHDEL: highly influential in an original way; constituting or providing a basis for further development
The discovery of electricity was a seminal development in the history of science.
serene: calm, peaceful, tranquil
The newborn baby girl has a serene expression on her face.
din: loud confusing noise
It was hard to hear anything above the din of the crowd.
antidote: a remedy to counteract a poison
People can die from the bite of a black widow if the antidote is not given in time.
propriety: the quality of being proper; suitableness, appropriateness
The young manager felt that his assistant lacked a sense of propriety.
flout: show scorn or contempt
She makes great effort to flout society's rules.
What was at first an incursion had become a lengthy occupation.
impeccable: without defect or error; flawless
requiem: a religious or musical service for the dead
intractable: difficult to manage or govern; stubborn
The businessman found himself struggling with an intractable situation.
seminal: of reproduction; germinal; originative
on AHDEL: highly influential in an original way; constituting or providing a basis for further development
The discovery of electricity was a seminal development in the history of science.
serene: calm, peaceful, tranquil
The newborn baby girl has a serene expression on her face.
din: loud confusing noise
It was hard to hear anything above the din of the crowd.
antidote: a remedy to counteract a poison
People can die from the bite of a black widow if the antidote is not given in time.
propriety: the quality of being proper; suitableness, appropriateness
The young manager felt that his assistant lacked a sense of propriety.
flout: show scorn or contempt
She makes great effort to flout society's rules.
From 2010-01-18 episode of A Way with Words
get one's goat
condescending: Displaying a patronizingly superior attitude
smarmy: Hypocritcally, complacently, or effusively earnest
oily: Excessively suave in action or behavior; unctuous
rearing/raring to go
champing/chomping at the bit
cesspool: A covered hole or pit for receiving drainage or sewage, as from a house
condescending: Displaying a patronizingly superior attitude
smarmy: Hypocritcally, complacently, or effusively earnest
oily: Excessively suave in action or behavior; unctuous
rearing/raring to go
champing/chomping at the bit
cesspool: A covered hole or pit for receiving drainage or sewage, as from a house
2010-01-23
2010-01-11
stratigraphy
The study of rock strata, especially the distribution, deposition, and age of sedimentary rocks.
flagellum
A long, threadlike appendage, especially a whiplike extension of certain cells or unicellular organisms that functions as an organ of locomotion.
2010-01-10
facultative
a. Capable of occurring or not occurring; contingent. b. Not required or compulsory; optional.
eukaryote
A single-celled or multicellular organism whose cells contain a distinct membrane-bound nucleus.
eukaryotic adjective
eukaryotic adjective
From Quiz Guy on 2009-12-14 episode of A Way with Words
previvor
scronsonants
poinsettia
Christmas chrysanthemums
schadenfreude school
shtetl shtick
scrumptious scrapple
Lent
Shrovetide shrimp
sprocket spreadsheed
threescore thriftshops
scronsonants
poinsettia
Christmas chrysanthemums
schadenfreude school
shtetl shtick
scrumptious scrapple
Lent
Shrovetide shrimp
sprocket spreadsheed
threescore thriftshops
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