by Dwane | Jun 30, 2023 | Education, English, Vocabulary
Yesterday, I posted the word Saturnine, meaning gloomy. Oddly enough, today’s word has the exact opposite meaning. Saturnalian: Riotously merry, overindulgent How did these two similar words end up with opposite definitions? Saturnine meaning gloomy, derives...
by Dwane | Jun 29, 2023 | Education, English, Vocabulary
Saturnine Gloomy, grave, scowling. In the Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian, Nikabrik refuses to join in the celebration. He stands off to the side with a sullen, saturnine look. From the Roman name for the god of time, Saturn. Yes, the planet is named after...
by Dwane | Jun 29, 2023 | Education, Healthy, Motivation
I just turned 50 last month. My kids think I am old. I don’t think I am old. Oh well. For some time, I have been fascinated by people who defy the odds. This morning, I realized I needed a place to collect the stories that inspire me. With that in mind, I...
by Dwane | Jun 28, 2023 | Education, English, Vocabulary
While in France, my students and I visited the Normandy beaches, site of the D-Day landings. We left Paris and crossed into Normandy not long after. Several students kept asking when we would reach Normandy. I realized they thought the beaches were Normandy. ...
by Dwane | Jun 27, 2023 | Education, Vocabulary
Rapport A relationship of mutual trust and respect. A close and harmonious relationship in which people like, understand, and respect one another. English borrowed this word directly from French. But, in French, rapport is a report. I suppose this is because we...
by Dwane | Jun 23, 2023 | Education, English, Vocabulary
The Latin verb “plicare” means “to fold.” From plicare, English derives many words. Words like replica, complicate, and duplicate. Duplicate: a copy, something additional of the same kind. She had a duplicate key made before leaving on vacation. Duplicate comes from...
