Category: Worth 1000 Pictures

One Word: Rudyard Kipling’s “If —”

Could Rudyard Kipling’s “If—” perhaps be the longest English poem ever written about a single one-syllable word? Before discussing this, let me confess: Yes, I know how strange a question like this must make me seem, to my beloved readers! Who frets about stuff like this, anyway? The question isn’t important. But like lots of…

September 21, 2016
One Word: 101

As a number, 101 is often assigned to the first, most basic course in a college-level subject. Statistics 101. Political Science 101. Composition 101. For this reason, it also has become, in English, a word – not just a number. It’s now a colloquial way of referring to an idea so basic that it should…

September 20, 2016
One Word: Whisk

Casting about for a write-worthy word, my eyes fell on a whisk broom. “Whisk” – it occurs to me – is a wonderful word. It’s short (I like that), familiar (I like that, too), and vivid, by which I mean it conjures up a bright mental image. (I particularly like that.) Perhaps best of all,…

August 29, 2016
[MAILBAG] — Portmanteau Words

My recent article on portmanteau words prompted some noteworthy responses. What’s a Late Lunch / Early Dinner? From reader Linda Helms: “Rather than submit a portmanteau, I beg for one to be created; that is, the afternoon equivalent of brunch. I for one sometimes put off lunch until it’s so late that it becomes early…

August 26, 2016
One Word: Portmanteau

A portmanteau is a word formed by combining meaning and partial sounds from at least two other words. Obvious example: smog. A mixture of smoke and fog, the word combines sounds from each. A portmanteau differs from a compound, which combines two complete words. Thus “motorhome” is a compound; “motel – meaning “motor hotel” –…

August 23, 2016
Two Words: Foreword / Afterword

A foreword is a brief introduction to a book or other piece of literature. (Not to be confused with “forward” motion.) There’s no sharp dividing line between a “foreword”, a “preface”, and an “introduction”. You’ll find books (including some of mine) with all three! There also are books with opening commentaries that could justly be…

August 22, 2016
One Word: Chemical

How I’d love to have a dime for every time I’ve heard someone express a liking for “chemical-free food” – or something similar. Let’s break this down: A chemical is any substance that can be defined by its atomic or molecular composition. That covers a lot of ground! Any element is a chemical, an element…

August 12, 2016
Two Words: Forbear / Forebear

We just discussed “forgo” and “forego”. The situation is similar with “forbear” and “forebear”. To forbear is to manifest great patience under extreme difficulty or suffering. “Forbear” is a verb. Its noun form is “forbearance”. A forebear is an ancestor. With that extra “e”, the word normally is a noun. Your forebears are your forefathers…

August 1, 2016
Two Words: Forgo / Forego

What is the difference between “forgo” and “forego”? Are these just alternate spellings of the same word? No, these are words with distinctly different meanings. And sometimes devilishly hard to tell apart. So let’s fix that! To forego (with an “e”) means, literally, to “go before”. That telltale syllable “fore” is our clue: It normally…

July 29, 2016
Two Words: Inept / Adept

Is “adept” the opposite of “inept”? Yes – and no. Both in sound and meaning, these words are near-perfect opposites. Their respective origins and histories, however, indicate they have nothing to do with one another. First, some history of my own: Back in the early Seventies, I was a reporter for the Tullahoma News in…

July 28, 2016
Two Words: Dependent / Dependant

Is it dependent or dependant? Perhaps either one? And what does this have to do with smoking hippopotamuses? First, the grammar gremlin: To be dependent (with an “e”) is to rely on, or be supported by, something or someone. Maybe I’m dependent, for example, on coffee to get me going in the morning. In British…

June 9, 2016
Two Words: Flaunt / Flout

The words “flaunt” and “flout” are sufficiently similar to cause endless confusion. We flaunt our assets when we show them off, especially with the goal of drawing attention and exciting envy. We flout laws or rules when we disregard them, brazenly and blatantly. If we’ve won a huge lottery jackpot, we might flaunt our new…

June 1, 2016