Word of the Day #81: Normandy

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. ...

Word of the Day #80: Rapport

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...

Word of the Day #79: Duplicate

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...

Word of the Day #78: Replica

Replica A reproduction, a duplication, or an accurate copy of a work.  A replica is often smaller than the original work. From Latin replicare, “to go over, to repeat.”  The Latin prefix “re” means “again”.  The Latin verb “plicare” means “to double up, to fold.”...

Word of the Day #76: Chyron

Chyron In my mind, at least, this word falls into the category of “Oh, I had no idea there was a word for that.”  A Chyron is a set of graphics or words at the bottom of a television screen.  A chyron may also be a caption.  It may be fixed or in motion.  Sometimes...

Word of the Day #75: Obviate

Obviate To make unnecessary, to do away with, remove, prevent, or eliminate Obviate comes from the Latin word obviare, meaning to act against, to act contrary.  The Latin preposition ob, means to stand against, instead of.  Via means road or way.  To obviate then, is...