Sign in Subscribe

Topic

Logophiles

Word lovers, dictionaries, and usage tips & tricks

Ambivert, Anyone?

I’ve always felt I needed to explain, in conversation or friendship, that innately I’m an introvert. Over the years, however, and thanks to corporate life demands, I’ve learned how also to be a successful extrovert. What that really means is I’ve learned the dubious art of

Resonate

Modern alternate definition: to produce a positive feeling, emotional response, or opinion Urban dictionary: a long-winded and fancy way to over dramatize, “I agree.” This first usage is fairly recent (the second just tongue-in-cheek). The first is also a hijack example, creating an interesting and evocative new meaning from a

Opsimath

Some of us spent our youth studying good works and exited college with a degree or two. Others instead bloomed later in life, becoming opsimaths in their pursuit of more learning. Opsimath: one who begins to learn or study late in life. Not exactly a well-known Greek word, but there

Literally or Figuratively or Virtually?

Time for another installment of catachresis (using the wrong word for the context). These goofs can become a malapropism (usually unintentionally humorous misuse or distortion of a word or phrase), but we’re focusing on words used innocently. Today’s case for the Minister to weigh in on: * Literally – Actually

The Love of Older Reference Books

I admit to being a nerd about obtaining reference books for my personal library. And extra nerdiness happens when said books are vintage. There’s something about paying homage to these elderly veterans from many a library bookshelf in their days. My library used to contain hundreds of reference books.

Word Wise: Anxious

There are some English words we ingrain in our thinking for certain situations and believe they’re the right ones. An example is saying “anxious” when that’s not exactly the intended meaning: I’m anxious about meeting you! I’m anxious about finally seeing a new Star Wars movie!

OED Holy Grail? Check.

We who are word nerds love a good dictionary. And is there a better one out there than the Oxford English Dictionary (OED)? In my mind, the OED is the holy grail of English dictionaries. From a very long time ago (going back decades), I’ve looked on and off

Practicing Bibliomancy

What does “bibliomancy” mean? I’m familiar with the concept, but until recently never knew what it was called. Nor did I realize so many people practiced this in an alternative form. I’ve done this countless times in the past and still occasionally explore new knowledge through this practice,

With a Twist of Irony

The Washington Post Mensa Invitational annually attracts wannabe verbarians who add, subtract, or change one letter in a word, then add a witty definition and viola: an oddly familiar, yet profound new word. 2006’s amazingly appropriate winners: * Arachnoleptic Fit – The frantic dance performed just after you’ve accidentally walked