This web site is all about writing and writing well. To accomplish this, we need a command of the English language and the ability to distinguish between real and fake words.
Fake words, whether colloquialisms or slang, have a way of creeping into our vernacular. Some become recognized in time as real words and others fade from use. Social media and the Internet have a way of spreading fake words at lightning speed, so we need to be vigilant to protect the language.
Each week we present a short article with one real and one questionable word. These are always family friendly and can be shared with the younger crowd to help them build word power over time.
These two words do not naturally sit together. One likes to stretch out and show off. The other barely moves. They are not opposites, just far apart in personality. Still, they meet in a strange middle ground, the moment when complicated thought finally stops trying so hard and settles into
I confess that these two words are new to me and not on the tip of my tongue. It is like knowing two things but not knowing there was a single word to describe each. Brontide and cockalorum are good words to know, especially when you want to get a
Some imaginary words exist purely to make life more entertaining. Automagically and pandelerium are two of those pretend words. They give us a playful way to describe the strange little moods that drift through an ordinary day. We have used pandelerium once before, explaining the difference between it and pandemonium,
These two words, nudiustertian and preferment, are uncommon, but not completely obscure. Of the two, nudiustertian is closer to obscurity. But it is a handy word to know, and dropping it in conversation is always good for a few puzzled looks Nudiustertian Nudiustertian (noo-dee-uhs-TUR-shun), is an adjective that places an
Petrichor is a strange and rarely used word for the pleasant smell or odor that follows rain. Apparently, it is especially appropriate after rain in
Penumbra is an excellent noun because it has many connotations and uses. As in the picture above, penumbra refers to an area in shadow or
Today, the noun fortnight describes a period of two weeks or fourteen days. It is an ancient English term that dates to the twelfth century.
The word catastrophizer is derived from the word catastrophe, which describes a person. But what is a catastrophizer? A catastrophizer is a person who sees
When I was growing up, my mother occasionally used the terms “Flotsam and Jetsam” as if we children would understand. I usually just shrugged it
The words “dangling” and “participle” can hang together or apart. These two words combine into one of the most confusing pieces of English grammar, the
Outfoot is a verb, a real word, and its usage goes all the way back to 1737, according to Webster’s Dictionary. To “outfoot” someone means
In the 1970s, most of my peers were fans and frequent watchers of Saturday Night Live. It was a golden era for the show, with
A metaphor is a word or phrase used as a substitution for another. This can denote a belief by the writer that the words, phrases,
The word antigram is a portmanteau of the words ANTONYM (opposite meaning) and ANAGRAM (a word created with the letters of another). Antigrams and anagrams are an intellectual way to exercise your
We often think about homeostasis when considering a harmonious balance in our bodies. Our bodies regulate blood sugars, blood volume, water, injuries, and many other
When I think of the word epistemology, I think of stoics. The people in ancient Greece and Rome gave deep thought to the meaning of
The word Zeitgeist is derived from the German words Zeit meaning “time” and Geist meaning “spirit.” Zeitgeist is often capitalized and is used to refer
Lackadaisical is a real word and refers to people who lack enthusiasm or zeal. When a teacher or a boss refers to someone who is
The word pejorative (pe-jor-a-tiv) is used conversationally every day, and many of us know the meaning, and many of us nod as if we know
A pluviophile (ploo-vee-uh-file) is a person who loves rain. They can be fascinated by the sights, sounds, and feel of rainy days. The word is
Many believe the word “invidious” is a close cousin of envy, and it is in some contexts. But invidious in modern use has come closer
Opprobrium is not a word in everyday use because so many are unfamiliar with it or its usage. But opprobrium is a word that should
Sequestration is a word that has come into everyday use because it describes everything from Congressional actions to many other actions like climate change. I
Meritocracy is a real word that hopefully will always apply in free nations and societies because it is the fairest way to reward hard work.
I saw a doormat last week that had printed on it, “Welcome, But Feel Free to Absquatulate.” I doubt that many people have the word
Cromulent is, well, a perfectly cromulent word. Cromulent means acceptable, fine, or typical in use. However, this one has probably escaped you unless you are
Crapulous (cra-pu-lus) is a real word and means someone who is showing the effect of drinking too much alcohol. Unfortunately, social media is full of
Facetious is a word you hear often in everyday use, but I doubt that many know the exact meaning. When used to its full extent
In our list of two words each week we often have words that are malaprops. A malaprop is the mistaken use of a word in
If you have a teenager in the house, then you probably know someone who mimics those suffering with clinomania. Teens often require excessive amounts of
Usually, we try to find one real and one fake word to discuss, but this week we have two real words that just go together
A person who is obsequious is one who is obedient or attentive to an extreme. When we have someone who gives us excellent, attentive service
If you have ever had that little place between your shoulder blades begin to itch and just cannot contort into the right position to scratch
I am not a musician, nor is anyone in my family a musician. When someone passed along the word “Luthier,” I drew a blank. It
Pseudonymous is a great word and just the longer version of pseudonym. The Internet has given rise to pseudonyms in the form of avatars and
A person who is a vexillophile is a hobbyist who studies flags, or vexillology. This is a new designation and only dates to 1959 when
Jentacular is rarely used today as it just fell out of favor over the years. The meaning of jentacular is breakfast and it is easy
To use the word “defenestration” you probably need to be a student of history or just a lexicographer. Defenestration is defined as the act of
From time to time, we just must throw in a word that we know no one will have ever heard of, and ombrophobia is certainly
If you were asked to explain what Cher, Prince, Bono, Adele, Washington, Voltaire, Plato, Jefferson, Franklin, Socrates, Confucius, Avicii, Homer, Sacagawea, and Sting all have
Darkle is one of those good words that once you know what it means it just sticks with you. Darkle is the opposite of sparkle.
The first time we heard the word “confluence” was years ago and it was used to describe the merging of the Blue Nile and White
Etc. is used in writing so often that the meaning and spelling are often confused. The correct full spelling of etc. is Et cetera not
Scurrilous is a great word and just has the feel of something bad, which is true. The word is usually used to define someone spreading
When anything is described as attenuated it means that it has been reduced in effectiveness, force, or value. A good example would be the safety
Any fan of Dean Koontz, might look at this picture and say something like: “As she stood there thinking about her existence, she became more
Before we wrote this article, we would have sworn that the word “gazillionaire” was nothing more than slang and not in the dictionary with anything
Predisposition is a real noun and a useful word to describe someone’s tendency to hold a specific attitude or act in a particular way. It
Few of us use the term zoonotic daily and we hope it stays that way, but it probably will not because of the population growth
Doppelganger is certainly a word one would not drop in casual conversation and to us it is a word that you want to have catalogued
Pandemonium is a real word and used to describe a state of confusion, disorder, often paired with loud noise. A good synonym is the word
If rehypothecation is in your vocabulary as a word you use on a regular basis then there is a high probability that you are in
Okay, Hoi Polloi is actually two words, but they go together so tightly that you need both to make sense of the phrase. This is
“Don’t give me any of that malarkey!” would be a proper use of the word malarkey, and how we often hear it in conversation. Malarkey