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Pedants' corner

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Word of the Day - let's add 100 words to our vocabulary

286 replies

MariaWaria · 31/12/2017 20:29

This thread follows on from my recent thread on AIBU saying that I wanted to add 100 words to my vocabulary. The response was incredible; so much encouragement given, and ideas shared.
And AdaColeman suggested I start a Word of the Day thread, so here we are.

The way this will work is that I will post the Word of the Day (each day Smile) and state its meaning as I understand it which will no doubt have been gleaned from Google, books, wherever.

The aim is not to teach or preach or offer words that ordinary folk, like me, are not likely to use in general conversation. They will be words that we may already have heard of but have not felt assured enough to use in conversation.

Perhaps we can aim to use the Word of the Day three times in our conversation in the next 24 hours and report on how that went.

Let’s see how this thread develops. My aim is to continue for 100 days by which time I (and hopefully you too) will have an extra 100 words in your vocabulary.

The first Word of the Day is INIMITABLE meaning incapable of being copied, in a class of its own.

OP posts:
MariaWaria · 14/02/2018 18:00

Let's break with tradition for Word of the Day No. 45 and have a word that Oxford Dictionaries doesn't recognise: GROKE as suggested by LoginLogan.

Apparently groke is an old Scots word that refers to someone who stares at you while you eat, in the hope that you'll share your meal with them.

www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/scottish-word-of-the-week-groke-1-3481243

Is that how you use the word LoginLogan?

OP posts:
PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks · 14/02/2018 18:29

Aaaarrrrgh my DC groke at me and it's bloody infuriating! Especially when they've just eaten!

EduCated · 14/02/2018 18:33

Oh how have I missed this thread? Love a good vocabulary chat!

My offering would be gloaming - that dusky, twilight time between sundown and proper darkness. I think it’s particularly atmospheric for those summery evenings when it’s almost dark, but everything has that golden sort of glow to it.

LoginLogan · 14/02/2018 20:05

Yes OP, that's exactly it.

steppemum · 15/02/2018 12:03

Oh my dog is a Gloke.
In fact he is king of the glokes. Hmm

Love tautology, my favourite tautologies are names
River Avon being the prime exmple.

I always feel its partner word should be oxymoron, as in two words in a sentence that don't go together. Like - a fit couch potato.

MariaWaria · 15/02/2018 20:00

Yes, gloaming is lovely EduCated

OP posts:
MariaWaria · 15/02/2018 20:08

Word of the Day 46 is SUBLIMINAL - (of a stimulus or mental process) below the threshold of sensation or consciousness; perceived by or affecting someone's mind without their being aware of it.

en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/subliminal

OP posts:
PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks · 15/02/2018 20:19

I'm struggling to work that into a sentence.

LoginLogan · 15/02/2018 20:24

I'm sending subliminal messages to DH to lets leave this dull party!

anygood?

LoginLogan · 15/02/2018 20:26

OP, we need to get this thread moved to another section, perhaps 'Pedants Corner'? or else its going to go puff after 90days.

MariaWaria · 16/02/2018 19:12

Word of the Day No. 47 - a person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit.

en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/virtuoso

OP posts:
MariaWaria · 16/02/2018 19:13

Thanks for the tip off LoginLogan

OP posts:
MariaWaria · 16/02/2018 22:36

Hi All.

In order to avoid us being deleted after 90 days we will soon move to Pedants' Corner. Hope to see you there Smile

OP posts:
DawnMumsnet · 17/02/2018 11:47

We're moving it over now, MariaWaria. Smile

MariaWaria · 17/02/2018 19:33

Hope some of you will be able to find us in our new home Hmm

OP posts:
MsAwesomeDragon · 17/02/2018 19:38

You are a virtuoso at subliminal thread placement! I found you Grin

I loved this thread back in January but then life got busy and I lost you. I'm looking forward to using some amazing new words again.

MariaWaria · 17/02/2018 19:38

Word of the Day No. 48 is ODIOUS - extremely unpleasant; repulsive.

en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/odious

OP posts:
ourkidmolly · 17/02/2018 19:48

Cool thread. Also was surprised at laconic as I've been misusing it for years.

MariaWaria · 18/02/2018 17:50

Word of the Day No. 49 is FEIGN - pretend to be affected by (a feeling, state, or injury).

en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/feign

"He feigned stupidity."

OP posts:
MsAwesomeDragon · 18/02/2018 18:22

Tomorrow I shall feign delight at the odious prospect of returning to work after a holiday.

MariaWaria · 19/02/2018 20:17

Hope the feigning went well MsAwesomeDragon

OP posts:
MariaWaria · 19/02/2018 20:20

Word of the Day No. 50 (we're half way there Smile) is PERUSE - read (something), typically in a thorough or careful way; examine carefully or at length.

en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/peruse

OP posts:
MsAwesomeDragon · 20/02/2018 20:53

I did indeed feign brilliantly, but unfortunately some of the children were odious :(

I am currently perusing the takeaway menu so I can eat dinner.

MariaWaria · 20/02/2018 23:28

Word of the Day No. 51 is PATOIS - the dialect of a particular region, especially one with low status in relation to the standard language of the country; the jargon or informal speech used by a particular social group.

en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/patois

OP posts:
MariaWaria · 21/02/2018 16:57

Word of the Day No. 52 is WINSOME - attractive or appealing in a fresh, innocent way.

en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/winsome

OP posts:
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