by Dwane | Nov 29, 2022 | Uncategorized
Plethora: an abundance, a superabundance; an excess or oversupply of something The United States has a plethora of natural resources. And, it’s a good thing, too. According to Peter Zeihan in his book, The End of the World is Just the Beginning, America, due to its...
by Dwane | Nov 28, 2022 | Education, Vocabulary
Perfervid: intense emotion, full of intense emotion; ardent; zealous Perfervid comes from the Latin word perfervidus, meaning very hot. In Latin, fervidus means glowing hot, or ardent. Adding per to the word only intensifies it. The letters don’t need to be...
by Dwane | Nov 26, 2022 | Uncategorized
After accidentally closing down a tap on her computer, my wife recently asked me if I knew a quick way to reopen a tab. Of course, you can go back into your history. But, I thought, there’s got to be an easier way. Turns out, there is. If you accidentally close a tab...
by Dwane | Nov 26, 2022 | Vocabulary
Berserk: violently or frenetically destructive; wildly destructive To go berserk is to have a fit of destructive rage. Berserk came into English from Old Norse. In Old Norse, a berserkr was a raging warrior. The Norse word is likely a combination of ber (bear) and...
by Dwane | Nov 25, 2022 | Uncategorized
Galore: plenty; abundantly; in abundance Galore is from the Irish go leór meaning sufficiently, enough. May you find black Friday deals galore out there today. Synonyms: plenty, aplenty, abundant, ample ================================================= Into Words? ...
by Dwane | Nov 24, 2022 | Uncategorized
Years ago, Michael Masterson posted this tip on the site Early to Rise. ================================================= Being the day before Thanksgiving, I have a 30-minute “task” for you that will make you feel good and bring you many future blessings....
by Dwane | Nov 22, 2022 | Wealthy, Wise
You’ve seen the studies. You’ve seen the reports. You’ve probably experienced it yourself. Anxiety is on the rise. Covid didn’t help at all. Made it worse, actually. A few weeks ago, the pastor of the church I attend tackled anxiety...
by Dwane | Nov 22, 2022 | Uncategorized
Lethargic: Drowsy; dull; inactive. On Thursday, we will celebrate Thanksgiving Day in America. We will remember our hard-working hungry ancestors by stuffing ourselves with food. We will follow up with a lethargic afternoon of football. I think our ancestors...
by Dwane | Nov 21, 2022 | Education, Vocabulary
Capricious: impulsive; fickle; whimsical; changeable; erratic The ancient gods were capricious. They were happy one moment, and irate the next. Source: Capricious came to English via the French word capricieux meaning capricious, or whimsical. In French, a whim...
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...
