http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphygmomanometer Word of the Moment: Sphygmomanometer, a device used to measure blood pressure. Note that it’s also known as a “blood pressure meter”, which has one syllable fewer, and less “sphygm”. Lucky it isn’t a more urgently-needed piece of equipment: “Nurse, he’s crashing! Hand me the sphy… uh, sphygm… uh, the…” “The blood pressure meter?” […]
Tag Archives: word-ofthe-moment
Y.P.R.: 11 Words That Sound Offensive, But Arent
http://www.yankeepotroast.org/archives/2008/09/11_words_that_s.html “All these trees are infested with cockchafer.”
Robinsonade – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robinsonade Robinsonade is a literary genre that takes its name from the 1719 novel Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. The success of this novel spawned enough imitations that its name was used to define a genre, which is sometimes described simply as a “desert island story”… In the archetypical robinsonade, the protagonist is suddenly isolated […]
Onomatopoeia – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onomatopoeia Word of the moment: Onomatopoeia (occasionally spelled onomateopoeia or onomatopoeia) is a word or a grouping of words that imitates the sound it is describing, suggesting its source object, such as “click,” “clang,” “buzz,” or animal noises such as “oink”, “quack”, “flap”, “slurp”, or “meow”. The word is a synthesis of the Greek words […]
solecism – Wiktionary
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/solecism Solecism, n. 1. Error in the use of language, especially an error concerning etiquette. 2. In written language, the intentional use of misspelling and/or incorrect grammar to affect the vernacular of a particular dialect. 3. Any faux pas involving a transgression against the norms of expected behavior. [From the Greek Σολοικισμος (soloikismos); from Σολοικος […]
Panjandrum | Define Panjandrum at Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=panjandrum Word of the Moment: Panjandrum, n. A self-important or pretentious official. [Origin: 1745-55; pseudo-Latin word (based on pan-) coined by Samuel Foote (1720-77), English dramatist and actor]
Gracile | Define Gracile at Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=gracile Gracile, adj. 1. gracefully slender. 2. slender; thin. [Origin: 1615-25; < L gracilis slender, slight, thin]
Pleonasm – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleonasm Pleonasm is the use of more words (or even word-parts) than necessary to express an idea clearly.
Defalcation | Define Defalcation at Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=defalcation The Word of the Moment is one you have to enunciate very, very carefully… Defalcation, noun Law. 1. misappropriation of money or funds held by an official, trustee, or other fiduciary. 2. the sum misappropriated. [Origin: 1425-75; late ME: deduction from wages]
Mithraeum – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithraeum Word of the Moment: Mithraeum. Mithraeum is a place of worship for the followers of the mystery religion of Mithraism… The word has come to be used in the context of any secret place used for secret rituals.