GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

grandiose
...
"Tempest in a teapot" is the US version. "Storm in a teacup" is British. According to the Wikipedia article, I'm on semi-stable ground. Then again, maybe it's just an attempt at grandiose misuse of my forum topic *powers*.

In Flemish and Dutch the saying goes: "Een storm in een glas water." Very prosaic. Not grandiose at all.

I wonder what they say in Scotland. Something with Scotch, perhaps?

[Algot Runeman]

sully

verb
sul·​ly | \ ˈsə-lē \
sullied; sullying
transitive verb
to make soiled or tarnished : defile
noun
plural sullies
archaic
soil, stain

/-==0==-\

When you climb up from the gully
Your clothes, you may well sully.
You will be soaked with sweat, sir,
But the view will be much better.

[Algot Runeman]

demeanor

noun
de·​mean·​or | \ di-ˈmē-nər \
behavior toward others : outward manner

/-==0==-\

A recluse has little need to concern himself with his demeanor.

[Algot Runeman]

transitional

adjective
tran·​si·​tion·​al | \ tran(t)-ˈsish-nəl, tran(t)-ˈsizh-, tran-ˈzish-; tran(t)-ˈsi-shə-nᵊl, tran-ˈzi-, -zhə- \
marked by transition : involving, providing, or consisting of a passage, movement, or change from one state, condition, subject, place, etc., to another

/-==0==-/

Though, at first, it may seem strange,
It may be the time to rearrange,
And extend your scope and range.
Undergo transitional change.

[Algot Runeman]

analysis

noun
anal·​y·​sis | \ ə-ˈna-lə-səs \
plural analyses\ ə-​ˈna-​lə-​ˌsēz \
1a a detailed examination of anything complex in order to understand its nature or to determine its essential features : a thorough study
1b a statement of such an examination
2 separation of a whole into its component parts
3a the identification or separation of ingredients of a substance
3b a statement of the constituents of a mixture
4 mathematics a : proof of a mathematical proposition by assuming the result and deducing a valid statement by a series of reversible steps
4b(1) a branch of mathematics concerned mainly with limits, continuity, and infinite series
4b(2) calculus sense 1b: the mathematical methods comprising differential and integral calculus —often used with the
5 psychoanalysis a patient who is in/undergoing analysis
6a a method in philosophy of resolving complex expressions into simpler or more basic ones
6b clarification of an expression by an elucidation of its use in discourse
7 linguistics : the use of function words instead of inflectional forms as a characteristic device of a language

/-==0==-\

After extensive, careful analysis, Bob decided to scrap his own design and purchased a commercial toothbrush.

[Algot Runeman]

conciliate

verb
con·​cil·​i·​ate | \ kən-ˈsi-lē-ˌāt \
conciliated; conciliating
transitive verb
1 appease
2 to gain (something, such as goodwill) by pleasing acts
3 to make compatible : reconcile
intransitive verb
to become friendly or agreeable

/-==0==-\

When dealing with harsh, vocal groups
You should not appease/jump through their hoops.
You do not need to conciliate
Just because they say they're great.

To accomplish what is just for all
Every citizen must heed the call.
Listen, think and understand
How and when to take a stand.

And, here, as a final note
Prepare. Register. Get out and vote!

[Algot Runeman]

elusive

adjective
elu·​sive | \ ē-ˈlü-siv, -ˈlü-ziv \
tending to elude: such as
a tending to evade grasp or pursuit
b hard to comprehend or define
c hard to isolate or identify

/-==0==-\

Effective illusions are typically elusive.
When one gets close, their joy is effusive.

[Algot Runeman]

facsimile

noun
fac·​sim·​i·​le | \ fak-ˈsi-mə-lē \
1 an exact copy A facsimile of the world's first computer was exhibited at the museum.
2 a system of transmitting and reproducing graphic matter (such as printing or still pictures) by means of signals sent over telephone lines

/-==0==-\

Here's the facts. They wanted a FAX. So Jim sent them a facsimile instead, a PDF from a scanner.



[I do wonder, in this era of online everything, is a FAX considered more valid than a scanned JPEG image or a PDF? For the purposes of "Real ID" in the US, one must present, in person, a set of only original documents (no copies of any flavor) to the examiner.]

[Algot Runeman]

obliterate

verb
oblit·​er·​ate | \ ə-ˈbli-tə-ˌrāt, ō- \
obliterated; obliterating
transitive verb
1a to remove utterly from recognition or memory
1b to remove from existence : destroy utterly all trace, indication, or significance of
1c medical : to cause (something, such as a bodily part, a scar, or a duct conveying body fluid) to disappear or collapse : remove
2 to make undecipherable or imperceptible by obscuring or wearing away

/-==0==-\

Ben worked feverishly to scrape the paint from the concrete overpass. He did not want to merely obscure the hateful graffiti. He hoped to obliterate it.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

obliterate

I would rather obliviate than obliterate ...

[Algot Runeman]

approve

verb
ap·​prove | \ ə-ˈprüv \
approved; approving
transitive verb
1 to have or express a favorable opinion of
2a to accept as satisfactory
2b to give formal or official sanction (see sanction entry 1 sense 4c) to : ratify
3 obsolete : prove, attest
intransitive verb
to take a favorable view

/-==0==-\

They gave him pie
He gave a sigh
It was the very last
Of his tasting repast.

His job was to taste and test
And then approve the very best.
The gathered crowd all held their breath
As if his decision were life or death.

"First place to number five."
The silent crowd all came alive.
It was the pie of Bobby Gold
The scrawny kid, just nine years old.

Myra Jones had been unseated
After twenty years, she'd been defeated.
Holding tight, her calico purse
She hoped, the decision, he'd reverse.

She boldly asked him, did it twice,
And while she really did it nice,
He'd been chosen as their judge,
And in the end, he did not budge.

[Algot Runeman]

excite

verb
ex·​cite | \ ik-ˈsīt, ek- \
excited; exciting
transitive verb
1a to call to activity
1b to rouse to an emotional response
1c to arouse (something, such as a strong emotional response) by appropriate stimuli
2a energize excite an electromagnet
1b to produce a magnetic field in
3 to increase the activity of (something, such as a living organism) : stimulate
4 to raise (an atomic nucleus, an atom, a molecule, etc.) to a higher energy level

You will have to imagine the stream of invective that was excited from me when the word offered for today was previously used!

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

excite

When asked for the reason why, my ex cited my preferences.

[Algot Runeman]

my ex cited my preferences.

Now you're talking my language!

[Algot Runeman]

decorum

noun
de·​co·​rum | \ di-ˈkȯr-əm \
1 literary and dramatic propriety : fitness according to strict neoclassic decorum
2 propriety and good taste in conduct or appearance
3 orderliness
4 decorums plural : the conventions of polite behavior

/-==0==-\

After the recent, rancorous debacle of vile invective, it took weeks to restore the chamber's decorum.

[Algot Runeman]

broadside

noun
broad·​side | \ ˈbrȯd-ˌsīd \
1a(1) a sizable sheet of paper printed on one side
(2) a sheet printed on one or both sides and folded
1b something (such as a ballad) printed on a broadside
2 archaic : the side of a ship above the waterline
3a all the guns on one side of a ship also : their simultaneous discharge
3b a volley of abuse or denunciation
4 a broad or unbroken surface

/-==0==-\

These days when we print a broadside, it is more common to call it a poster.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

broadside

Intently texting on his smartphone, he bumped into this tall broad's side.

[Algot Runeman]

rancid

adjective
ran·​cid | \ ˈran(t)-səd \
1 having an unpleasant smell or taste usually from chemical change or decomposition
2 distinctly unpleasant or distasteful : offensive

/-==0==-\

Turning the key in the door, Sid entered his parents' cabin. He immediately knew something was wrong. The rancid smell of decay and more overwhelmed him. Sid ran from the house, fumbling for his cellphone. This was a job for the police, or, at least, animal control.

[Algot Runeman]

coalesce

verb
co·​a·​lesce | \ ˌkō-ə-ˈles \
coalesced; coalescing
intransitive verb
1 to grow together
2a to unite into a whole : fuse
2b to unite for a common end : join forces
3 to arise from the combination of distinct elements
transitive verb
to cause to unite

/-==0==-\

Coalesce

The birds of fall
Heed an instinctive call
To flock and fly
And fill the sky

Their vast murmutations
Are aerial sensations
With coordinated flow
No matter how big they grow.

They visit my lawn
And then they're gone.
All done with breeding
Gone south for feeding.

[Algot Runeman]

terse

adjective
\ ˈtərs \
terser; tersest
1 using few words : devoid of superfluity a terse summary also : short, brusque
2 smoothly elegant : polished

/-==0==-\

The fast food worker asked, "Would you like fries with your hamburger?"
Bob gave only a terse reply: "No."

It was neither polished nor elegant, but it was definitely brusque.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

terse
...
The fast food worker asked, "Would you like fries with your hamburger?"
...

In Belgium they ask just as terse: "Wouldn't you like a hamburger with your fries?"

[Algot Runeman]

exponent

noun
ex·​po·​nent | \ ik-ˈspō-nənt, ˈek-ˌspō- \
1 a symbol written above and to the right of a mathematical expression to indicate the operation of raising to a power
2a one that expounds or interprets
2b one that champions, practices, or exemplifies

/-==0==-\

I shall raise to the second power
This short rhyme, done at this hour.
I shall be a proud exponent,
A proponent of this moment.

[Algot Runeman]

haywire

adverb or adjective
hay·​wire | \ ˈhā-ˌwī(-ə)r \
1 being out of order or having gone wrong the radio
2 emotionally or mentally upset or out of control : crazy

/-==0==-\

Harry hurried to the sink.
He madly craved a drink.
He could not even speak.
His best, a pitiful squeak.
His poor mouth was on fire.
His tongue had gone haywire,
Feeling way too macho,
He'd eaten that hot nacho
It was far too spicy,
He needed something icy.

[Algot Runeman]

feign

verb
\ ˈfān \
feigned; feigning; feigns
transitive verb
1a to give a false appearance of : induce as a false impression feign death
1b to assert as if true : pretend He feigned that he was not feeling well so that he could leave the party early.
2 archaic a : invent, imagine
2b to give fictional representation to
3 obsolete : disguise, conceal
intransitive verb
pretend, dissemble

/-==0==-\

When you do not try to learn from
But merely feign concern...some,
For the troubles faced by others
You ignore that they're your brothers.

[Algot Runeman]

perspicacious

adjective
per·​spi·​ca·​cious | \ ˌpər-spə-ˈkā-shəs \
of acute mental vision or discernment : keen

/-==0==-\

Poirot, Don't you Know

It is totally outrageous
To be so perspicacious
With a scope so wide and spacious
And great depth...goodness gracious!