Archive for ETR

Word to the Wise: Fustian
by ETR (05/16/2008)

"Fustian" (FUS-chun) - a word of uncertain origin - is pompous or pretentious language.

It’s Good to Know: The Firefighting Robot
by ETR (05/16/2008)

Only you can prevent forest fires. But in the near future, there could be a better way to fight them.

It’s Fun to Know: Can You Live On Air Alone?
by ETR (05/15/2008)

You've no doubt heard of vegetarians and vegans (who don't eat any animal products). Maybe you've even run across a few raw foodists (no cooking allowed) and fruititarians (who eat only fruit). But you probably don't know any breatharians, who believe they don't have to eat at all. They claim to live off prana, a "life force" that exists in the air and light.

Word to the Wise: Temporize
by ETR (05/15/2008)

To "temporize" (TEM-puh-rize) - from the Latin for "time" - is to be indecisive or evasive in order to delay action.

It’s Good to Know: The Computerized Repo Man
by ETR (05/14/2008)

small box is mounted under the dash of the car. Its lights flash when a payment is coming up. It starts beeping on the due date. If the payment isn't made, the car won't start...

Word to the Wise: Lionize
by ETR (05/14/2008)

To "lionize" (LYE-uh-nize) is to treat as an object of great interest or importance.

Word to the Wise: Inveigle
by ETR (05/13/2008)

To "inveigle" (in-VAY-gul) - from the Latin for "without eyes" - is to persuade by ingenuity or flattery.

It’s Fun to Know: A Little-Known Perk for Postal Workers
by ETR (05/13/2008)

There's a town in Central Florida that's populated entirely by retired postal workers and their spouses.

Word to the Wise: Nefarious
by ETR (05/12/2008)

Something that's "nefarious" (nih-FARE-ee-us) is extremely wicked or villainous.

It’s Good to Know: Hands-Only CPR
by ETR (05/12/2008)

For decades, the recommended CPR method for heart attack victims has included both mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions.

Word to the Wise: Disport
by ETR (05/10/2008)

It’s Fun to Know: The Portraits on Coins
by ETR (05/10/2008)

You may not have noticed, but the portraits of presidents and other dignitaries on paper money are usually full-face views, while the portraits on coins are almost always in profile.

Word to the Wise: Deliquesce
by ETR (05/09/2008)

To "deliquesce" (del-ih-KWES) - from the Latin for "to be fluid" - is to melt away or disappear as if by melting.

It’s Good to Know: What’s the Appendix Good For, Anyway?
by ETR (05/09/2008)

If you have to have your appendix removed, it won't have much of an effect on your health. In fact, you probably won't notice anything different, except for the surgery scar, of course.

It’s Fun to Know: Freegans
by ETR (05/08/2008)

Freeganism is a relatively new (or at least newly named) subculture whose adherents try not to buy anything.

Word to the Wise: Militate
by ETR (05/08/2008)

To "militate" (MIL-ih-tate) - from the Latin for "soldier" - is to have force or influence.

Word to the Wise: Roue
by ETR (05/07/2008)

A "roue" (roo-AY) - from the French - is a man devoted to a life of sensual pleasure.

It’s Good to Know: 911 in Other Countries
by ETR (05/07/2008)

If you live in the United States, the fastest way to summon help is to call 911. Here is a partial list of emergency numbers that you may want to keep on file.

It’s Fun to Know: Why Inhaling Helium Gives You a Squeaky Voice
by ETR (05/06/2008)

When you inhale the gas and then exhale, the helium escaping from your lungs causes your vocal cords to vibrate much faster than normal.

Word to the Wise: Potboiler
by ETR (05/06/2008)

A "potboiler" (POT-boy-lur) is an inferior literary work, produced quickly for the purpose of making money.

It’s Good to Know: World Religions
by ETR (05/05/2008)

The Vatican recently reported that Islam, which claims 19.2 percent of the world's population, is now more widespread than the Catholic faith.

Word to the Wise: Perspicacity
by ETR (05/05/2008)

Perspicacity (pur-spih-KAS-ih-tee) - from the Latin for "sharp-sighted" - is acute perception, discernment, or understanding.

It’s Fun to Know: Shanghai ’s Mega-Metro System
by ETR (05/03/2008)

With a population of 20 million, Shanghai is one of the largest cities in the world. In an effort keep pace with the needs of a growing number of commuters, the city's metro rail system is expanding.

Word to the Wise: Cum
by ETR (05/03/2008)

"Cum" (KUM) is Latin for "with." It is often used to mean "combined with."

Word to the Wise: Gamine
by ETR (05/02/2008)

A "gamine" (gam-EEN) - from the French for a child who wanders the streets - is a playfully mischievous girl or young woman.

It’s Good to Know: The Vocal Joystick
by ETR (05/02/2008)

University of Washington researchers have developed software that converts sounds into controlled movements of a cursor on a computer screen.

It’s Fun to Know: Contact Lenses Ready for Battle
by ETR (05/01/2008)

DARPA, the agency in charge of U.S. military innovation, has put out a call to researchers for help in designing special contact lenses to be worn by soldiers in battle.

Word to the Wise: Pervicacious
by ETR (05/01/2008)

"Pervicacious" (pur-vih-KAY-shus) means stubborn or obstinate - refusing to change your ideas or behavior.

It’s Good To Know: The Deepest Lake in the World
by ETR (04/30/2008)

At a little over a mile deep, Russia 's 25-million-year-old Lake Baikal is the deepest and oldest lake in the world.

Word to the Wise: Truculent
by ETR (04/30/2008)

"Truculent" (TRUK-yuh-lun) - from the Latin for "savage" - means ferocious or cruel.
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