Aren't there some words out there that you've always wanted to use, but just never had the opportunity? Elizabeth reminded me of that recently when she used "nonplussed" in an email - and then congratulated herself! And I joined her. I had never used it either. Which made me think: what other words never get used?
Primordial - I see this written fairly often - we get Smithsonian - but don't believe I've ever used it myself.
Extemporaneous - wow! there's one for the spelling bee.
Amalgam - it would be easier to use if I knew what it means.
Retrograde - another one I hear on TV, as in "he has retrograde amnesia", but not one I have ever used.
Ensconced - I stole this one from Mitchell. He used it after I told him about Elizabeth's word.
Antidisestablishmentarianism - ok, no one has ever used that word. I just wanted to see if I could spell it - and now I don't know how to check to see if I am right.
English is such a rich language and we are so incredibly lazy in our use of it. Do you ever notice how we reuse words all the time rather than using a wide variety; and we use terms that are close to what we mean, but not exact. It's easier to pull out an old familiar word than to find the correct one. I go crazy when someone uses "less" when she means "fewer", or "above" when he means "more than" - and those are easy, everyday words.
So homework for the week is to learn two new words... and use them properly.
Cherry blossoms
4 weeks ago
So, I'm taking on your homework assignment, but I wanted to let you know that Milton and my mother both like(d) "ensconce". When I called her she often told me she was ensconced before the fire reading or crocheting, or something. You've brought back some happy memories. Thanks. "Elizabeth"
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