Happy Wednesday, word nerds! A couple of months ago I posted about a word that I thought really didn’t sound like its definition: effulgent. (You can read that post here.) Last week, I was reminded of another word that fits into that category: bucolic.
Greetings, word nerds! It’s a while since I’ve had a Word Nerd Wednesday post, but I’m back today and ready to start a revival. You may have looked at today’s word and thought, “Sparking? How can there be anything interesting to say about sparking?” Several weeks ago now, I came across the word in two different books in quick succession—in both cases in a completely new context for me. The first book is one that you’re going to have to wait for for a little while yet: My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge: Laurel’s Dream by Pepper Basham. It’s not
Welcome to Wednesday, word nerds! Today’s word won’t be new to most (if not all) of you, but I’ve had occasion to give it some thought this last week. First of all, Psalm 51 came up in our Bible reading several days ago—King David’s psalm of repentance after the prophet Nathan confronted him over his sin with Bathsheba.
Happy Wednesday, word nerds! You may be tempted to think today’s word has been inspired by the onset of coughs and colds as we move into winter here in Australia, but it actually has more to do with the sudden love my children have developed for the Disney animation of Beauty and the Beast. And ten points to you if you know what the connection is between Beauty and the Beast and the word expectorating!
Happy Wednesday, word nerds! This week’s Word Nerd post has been inspired by a comment I got yesterday on one of my previous posts: Flat Out Like a Lizard Drinking. In that post I made use of the phrase ‘ten to the dozen’ meaning to go at a rapid pace, but a commenter yesterday pointed out that to convey the idea of speed, surely it would be more appropriate to say ‘twenty to the dozen’—or at least, a number that is greater than twelve rather than less than twelve.
Happy Wednesday, word nerds! Today’s Word Nerd post is inspired by yesterday’s Top Ten Tuesday post in a round-about kind of way. Yesterday’s topic was Books I’d Slay a Lion to Get Early. As I was thinking about the post, I began thinking about phrases other than ‘slay a lion’ that could be used to convey the same sort of meaning, and one of the first ones that came to me was I’d give my eye-teeth. It wasn’t long before I was asking myself, ‘What’s so special about my eye-teeth, anyway?’
Greetings, word nerds! I had one of those moments this week where I said something that I’ve said hundreds of times before, and suddenly thought, “Why do we say that, anyway?” The phrase? with flying colours. You most often hear it used in the context of passed with flying colours or came through with flying colours. But there is a related expression that has a similar origin: to show one’s true colours. So, what’s the deal with these colours?
Welcome Word Nerds! Nothing highlights the inconsistencies of the English language like teaching your kids spelling or helping them learn to read. As a homeschool mum I’m currently doing both at multiple levels, and I can tell you I’m so very grateful for the fantastic spelling program we use. (All About Spelling for those who are interested). But have you ever stopped to wonder why the English language is the way it is?