Trending: ‘gravata,’ ‘gravitas’
Merriam Webster tells us why on October 7, 2020, gravata and gravitas were trending online. (Hint: it was the Vice-Presidential Debate night!)
Tag: Word of the Day
Word + Quiz: patina
Word + Quiz: patina New York Times Oct. 2, 2020
patina \ pə-ˈtē-nə , ˈpa-tə-nə \ noun
1. a fine coating of oxide on the surface of a metal
2. the distinctive surface of something that has age or character
The word patina has appeared in 58 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year, including on Sept. 14, 2020.
Quiz yourself by going to the NYT article link above.
What is the origin of the word “OK”?
What is the origin of the word “OK”?
What have you heard is the “REAL” origin of the word OK?
There have been numerous attempts to explain the emergence of this expression, which seems to have swept into popular use in the US during the mid-19th century. Most of them are pure speculation.
Oxford English Dictionary
From the Tour de France to the lexicon of cycling
From the Tour de France to the lexicon of cycling–Collins Dictionary Language Lovers Blog, 8th Sep 2020
This is a fun article explaining the meaning of numerous words relating to the sport of bicycling!
ad litem
ad litem–learn more about this postpositive vocabulary word at this article
MEANING:adjective: Appointed by a court to represent someone, such as a child, who is considered incapable of representing themselves in a lawsuit.
Word of the Day long covid
long covid article link
This might not be the most useful word of the day for a Toastmasters meeting. However, it’s definitely a great new vocabulary word to add to our brains.
Definition
cases of Covid-19 where symptoms persist long after the original phase of illness
Macmillan Dictionary Blog
Grammarian–100 Words Almost Everyone Mixes Up or Mangles
100 Words Almost Everyone Mixes Up or Mangles–from the American Heritage Dictionary
There are certain words I’ll hear people say and I just cringe, because it’s used incorrectly. This list is a great one to learn because it teaches the words that many of us use incorrectly, without even knowing! Here’s a sample:
| adherence adhesion adopted adoptive amend baleful baneful beyond the pale cache cachet |
A Word of the Week to the Wise
A Word of the Week to the Wise The author of this article has an interesting take on the Word of the Day, and how to increase its usage in meetings and life.
To increase the word’s usage, I recommend that the grammarian spread the word to all members in advance so they can begin to use it immediately and include it, for instance, in their prepared speeches.
Toastmasters Magazine, April 2017
Word of the Day –gauntlet –noun GAWNT-lut
gauntlet
Did You Know?
Gauntlet comes from Middle French gantelet, the diminutive of gant, meaning “glove.” (The gauntlet that means “severe trial,” “ordeal,” or “double file of armed men” is a different word that originates from Swedish gata, meaning “lane” or “way.”) To throw down the gauntlet is to issue an open challenge, while to pick up the gauntlet is to accept an open challenge. These figurative phrases come from the conventions of medieval combat. The gauntlet was the glove of a suit of armor. To challenge someone to combat, a knight would throw his glove at another knight’s feet. The second knight would take it up if he intended to accept the challenge, in which case a jousting match might ensue.
Merriam Webster Dictionary
Grammarian–100 More Words Every High School Graduate Should Know
100 More Words Every High School Graduate Should Know
Some of the vocabulary in this list is challenging! Perhaps consider adding one of these next time you serve as Grammarian! Here’s a sample:
vernacular
vertiginous
vociferous
welter
wiki
winsome
xeric
yaw
zero-sum
zygote