by Dwane | Nov 21, 2022 | Uncategorized
I am almost 50 years old. For most of my life, I have watched people around me waste time on National Politics. I recommend you do not do this. Instead, find out why God put you here on earth. My guess? He put you here to serve others. To help others. To make the...
by Dwane | Nov 19, 2022 | Uncategorized
Here’s a tip. When you find a life-changing book, read (or listen to) it over and over. These days, I have three books on constant repeat. I make it a point, daily, to listen to a bit of each. While biking, my phone is strapped to the handlebars. I usually have one...
by Dwane | Nov 19, 2022 | Education, Motivation
“Words matter. They help us define meaning. We think with words. We learn with words. Words are the fundamental tools we use for communicating. If we use them well, we can cut and shape and polish our ideas precisely and beautifully. If we use them sloppily we put...
by Dwane | Nov 18, 2022 | Education, Vocabulary
Sanguine: Hopeful, confident, cheerful; having an optimistic outlook. Sanguine comes from the Latin word sanguineus, meaning blood red. Doctors once thought patients with excess blood were more cheerful, hopeful, and confident. But, sanguine can also mean...
by Dwane | Nov 16, 2022 | English, Vocabulary
Frenetic: Frenzied, frantic, feverishly excited; excessively agitated After missing his deadline, the author wrote at a frenetic pace in order to have something to show his publisher. Greek phrenetic, “frenzy, disease of the mind, inflammation of the brain.”...
by Dwane | Nov 15, 2022 | Uncategorized
Last week, I received this question from a former student How does one Figure out what to do with their Life? I’m Lost! Here is my reply: I am really struggling through this one right now myself. I am writing a book on goals. Almost done. Editing it. But,...
by Dwane | Nov 15, 2022 | Education, Vocabulary
Jocund: Merry and cheerful; jovial; having a cheerful disposition Example: Her jocund personality cheered everyone around her. Jocund comes from the Latin word jucundus, meaning pleasant, agreeable, or delightful. Jucundus is related to the Latin word for joke,...
by Dwane | Nov 14, 2022 | Uncategorized
I received this question: We are looking at the National Latin Exam for my two daughters who are taking Latin right now. My older daughter is going through Lingua Latina and should be finished with it (Pars I) by the time of the exam. My younger daughter will be...
by Dwane | Nov 14, 2022 | Education, Vocabulary
Absquatulate: to run away, usually with someone or something you shouldn’t be running away with After robbing the bank, the thieves absquatulated with the money. Absquatulate looks Latin. Oddly enough, it was once popular to make up words that looked and sounded...
by Dwane | Nov 12, 2022 | Uncategorized
I received this question: When my son does the Lingua Latina tests, is there a way for us to go back and see the answers he got correct and wrong? Here is my...
by Dwane | Nov 12, 2022 | English, Vocabulary
Equable: Even and steady; serene; does not vary; not easily irritated Example: His equable manner made all those around him instantly comfortable. I like this from Vocabulary.com: An equable person isn’t moody. You wouldn’t expect him or her to fly into a...
by Dwane | Nov 12, 2022 | Uncategorized
I spend a lot of time writing. Six days a week, I write tests for my site. Spanish, French, Latin, and German tests. I’ve also begun writing tests for the Word up! series. Then, there is the Tip of the Week and I’m currently writing a book on goals. In...
by Dwane | Nov 11, 2022 | Uncategorized
Caucus Well, this is a complex word. A caucus can be a private meeting of members of a political party to choose candidates or determine policy. A caucus can also refer to a group of people within an organization. This group influences through legislation. The...
by Dwane | Nov 10, 2022 | Motivation
“One forgets words as one forgets names. One’s vocabulary needs constant fertilizing or it will die.” – Evelyn Waugh Want to boost your vocabulary? You may like Word up!
by Dwane | Nov 9, 2022 | Vocabulary
The bozone layer: The bozone layer prevents good ideas from penetrating—these days, also known as college. The bozone layer comes from the word bozo and the word ozone. A bozo was originally a muscular, low-intelligence male. Bozo likely came from the Spanish word...
by Dwane | Nov 8, 2022 | Vocabulary
Arachnoleptic fit: The wild fit you throw right after you walk through a spider web. Arachnoleptic fit is a made-up word. My mom sent it to me. It’s a useful made-up word though. I nearly wiped out once after biking through a spider web. I threw an arachnoleptic...
by Dwane | Nov 7, 2022 | Vocabulary
Laconic: using few words; terse; concise. Laconic means brief. Laconic comes from the Greek region Laconia, land of the ancient Spartans. The Spartans were famous for their blunt speech. King Phillip of Macedon once threatened to invade Spartan territory. “If I...
by Dwane | Nov 5, 2022 | Uncategorized
A few months ago on a long summer road trip, I listened to the audiobook Apocalypse Never by Michael Shellenberger. The subtitle says it all. Why Environmental Alarmism Hurts us All. Mr. Shellenberger’s book is a cry in the wilderness these days. As climate...
by Dwane | Nov 4, 2022 | Vocabulary
Criterion: a standard of judging or making a decision; any established law, rule, principle or fact by which correct judgment may be formed. A model or test. We also speak of meeting the criterion, as in “She met the criterion for the position and we hired her.” If,...
by Dwane | Nov 2, 2022 | Uncategorized
Debonair: charming and carefree; suave; gracious; urbane; nonchalant; having sophisticated charm We all admired the dinner guest with his laid-back, debonair attitude. Debonair comes from the old French phrase de bon aire. De bon aire in old French means “of a good...
by Dwane | Nov 1, 2022 | Ebook, Motivation
This year, I wrote another book. A book on goal-setting. Right now, I am in the process of editing. I am guessing it will take me a few weeks. As I edit, I will post sections as blog posts. As for the title, I am still tossing some ideas around. For now, I will...
by Dwane | Oct 31, 2022 | Uncategorized
Largess: Generosity in giving. The opposite of avarice, greed, or stinginess. As an adjective, largess is generosity with money. Often, largess is a rather showy generosity. The giver wants everyone to notice. As a noun, largess is the money or gift itself. ...
by Dwane | Oct 29, 2022 | Uncategorized
Inspired by all the swearing showing up in goal-setting books these days, I wrote a book on goals. How to set them. How to hit them. All that. Minus the swearing. Now, I am editing my way through the book. I am eliminating passive sentences, throwing out the word...
by Dwane | Oct 28, 2022 | Uncategorized
Mulct: As a noun, a mulct is a fine, a tax, or a penalty. As a verb, to mulct is to take something of value by fraud or deceit. Mulct is from the Latin word for penalty: mulcta. Got mulcted? If so, someone took your money. And, the money they took? That’s also...
by Dwane | Oct 24, 2022 | Ebook
This year, I wrote another book. A book on goal-setting. Right now, I am in the process of editing. I am guessing it will take me a few weeks. As I edit, I will post sections as blog posts. As for the title, I am still tossing some ideas around. For now, I will...
