http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exclamation_point The history and usage of the exclamation mark, with a terrific alternative name: In typesetting or printing (and therefore when spelling text out orally), the exclamation mark is called a screamer or bang.
Tag Archives: word-ofthe-moment
Familiar Fallback for Officials: ‘Mistakes Were Made’ – New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/14/washington/14mistakes.html?ex=1331524800&en=034d573555d97e29&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss The New York Times details a history of the phrase, “mistakes were made”, which has seen some heavy use in Washington since the era of Tricky Dick the First. I particularly liked this zinger from the final paragraph: The nonconfessions inspired William Schneider, a political guru here, to note a few years ago that […]
French language: Internationally used French phrases
http://www.orbilat.com/Languages/French/Vocabulary/French-International.html Ohhhh, that’s it, Stumble – bring me the good stuff! A big list of french phrases and mots justes* that have wound their way into English conversation. It’s entertaining as etymology, but downright fun to read through the list in a haughty Parisien accent**. *snicker **redundant
“put a nickel in someone” definition from Double-Tongued Dictionary
http://www.doubletongued.org/index.php/dictionary/put_a_nickel_in_someone/ Less a Word of the Moment than a Phrase of the Moment, but I’m happy to make an exception for such a terrific colloquialism. Put a nickel in someone, v. phr. To provoke a person to excitement or talkativeness; to rile or anger someone; to cause someone to act. Also put a quarter in […]
Cats-paw | Define Cats-paw at Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=cat%27s-paw Cat’s-paw, n. A person used by another as a dupe or tool. [From a fable about a monkey that used a cat’s paw to pull chestnuts out of a fire.]
Urban Dictionary: shufty
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=shufty Shufty n. The English form of shufti (arabic for look / take a look) Originally RAF but later Army also, shufty or shufti became taking a look for possible dangers. Back home, it was used simply for having a quick look (Am. checking out)
Titivation | Define Titivation at Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=titivation Titivate, v. To make oneself smart or spruce. [Origin: 1795-1805; earlier tidivate (tidy+(ele)vate]
Sedulous | Define Sedulous at Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=sedulous Sedulous, adj. 1. diligent in application or attention; persevering; assiduous. 2. persistently or carefully maintained: sedulous flattery. [Origin: 1530-1340; < L s
Belletristic | Define Belletristic at Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=belletristic Belletristic, adj. From the French belles lettres: 1. literature regarded as a fine art, esp. as having a purely aesthetic function. 2. light and elegant literature, esp. that which is excessively refined, characterized by aestheticism, and minor in subject, substance, or scope.
Fungible | Define Fungible at Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=fungible Fungible, adj. Interchangeable or substitutable. [Medieval Latin fungibilis, from Latin fungi (vice), to perform (in place of).]