Something that’s negligible (NEG-lih-juh-bul) – from the Latin for “neglect” – is so small, trifling, or unimportant that it may safely be disregarded. Example (as used by Bob Bly today): “The connection [between you and a potential joint venture partner] could be as solid as having a common friend or colleague, or as negligible as you [...]
By Early To Rise | Tue, Jun 28, 2011
To gainsay (gane-SAY) – from the Old English for “against” + “to say” – means to deny or dispute; to oppose or contradict. Example (as used by Thomas M. Disch in The Dreams Our Stuff Is Made Of): “In our present, imperfectly postmodern world, where most information still takes the potentially embarrassing form of printed matter [...]
By Early To Rise | Mon, Jun 27, 2011
A bastion (BAS-chun) – from the Italian for “to build” – is a fortified place; anything seen as preserving or protecting some quality, condition, etc. Example (as used by Daniel Levis today): “I suppose there are people quaking in their cyber-boots at the thought of venturing into the savage outer reaches of the Web… that bastion [...]
By Don Hauptman | Fri, Jun 24, 2011
Can you spot any mistakes in these quotations, all found via online search? “How significant are directory listings in regards to SEO?” “I think we are not that much more evolved than ‘primitive’ man in regards to language use concerning spiritual belief.” “What Couples Need to Know With Regards to a Contested Divorce” In The Accidents of Style, Charles [...]
By Early To Rise | Thu, Jun 23, 2011
Blandishment (BLAN-dish-munt) – from the Latin for “to flatter” – is speech or action intended to coax, entice, or persuade. The plural form of the word is usually used. Example (as used by Anne Rice in Vittorio, the Vampire): “And that my English-speaking victims find my blandishments so pretty, accented as they are, and yield to [...]
By Early To Rise | Tue, Jun 21, 2011
Raillery (RAY-luh-ree) – from the French for “to tease” – is light-hearted ridicule. Example (as used by James Burgh): “As nothing is more provoking to some tempers than raillery, a prudent person will not always be satirically witty where he can, but only where he may without offence.”
By Early To Rise | Mon, Jun 20, 2011
To be cognizant (KOG-nuh-zunt) – from the Latin for “get to know” – is to be aware. Example (as used by Rich Schefren today): “Your job right now is to become cognizant of what you need to know to achieve your main goal.”
By Don Hauptman | Fri, Jun 17, 2011
It’s been a while since I wrote about mixed metaphors in this column. So let’s review. A mixed metaphor is a combination of figures of speech that unintentionally results in an incongruous or impossible image. This anecdote supplies a perfect example of the error: A sportswriter interviewing a basketball player asked how his team was doing. “The [...]
By Early To Rise | Thu, Jun 16, 2011
Concupiscence (kon-KYOO-pih-suns) – from the Latin for “to wish” – is yearning; strong desire (especially sexual desire). Example (as used by Blaise Pascal): “Concupiscence and force are the source of all our actions; concupiscence causes voluntary actions, force involuntary ones.”
By Early To Rise | Wed, Jun 15, 2011
Comely (KUM-lee) – from the Old English for “lovely” – means pleasing in appearance; proper or seemly. Example (as used by Francis Bacon): “The speaking in perpetual hyperbole is comely in nothing but love.”
By Early To Rise | Wed, Jun 29, 2011
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