David Zapatka Do you have any stubborn people in your life, possibly a relative, friend, co-worker or someone you have interaction with for various other reasons? Thanks to reader Kim Park, if you don’t already use this month’s word, you will have a new way to describe that behavior. Obdurate – adjective ob·du·rate ˈäb-də-rət, -dyə-; äb-ˈdu̇r-ət,…
Tag: Word of the Month
Features, August 2017
Word of the Month: Neologism
David Zapatka Have you ever wondered how words are added to the dictionary? New words, phrases and definitions are added to the Oxford English Dictionary four times a year. A recent revision included over 1,200 changes and updates from a new sense of the word “thing” to the well-established, but newly-prominent usage of the word “woke.”…
Features, July 2017
Word of the Month: Kitty-corner
David Zapatka Reader and friend Jim Nulty writes, “I saw the term ‘kitty-corner’ used in a book I’m reading, looked it up and thought you may want to use it in your column.” Kitty-corner – adverb or adjective ki-tē-ˌkȯr-nər, or less commonly ka-tē-,kȯr-nər 1. Adverb – diagonally or obliquely 2. Adjective – in a diagonal…
Features, June 2017
Word of the Month: Obstreperous
David Zapatka Reader and friend Karen Jorgensen writes, “Dave, I came across a word in a novel that had me pause and reread. The word is ‘obstreperous.’ It was describing the ‘attributes’ of the villain.” Obstreperous – adjective ob·strep·er·ous əb-ˈstre-p(ə-)rəs, äb- Obstreperously – adverb; obstreperousness – noun. 1. marked by unruly or aggressive noisiness: clamorous…
Features, May 2017
Word of the Month: Concerti
David Zapatka The Fountain Hills Chamber Players, a chamber music ensemble consisting normally of 10 or fewer musicians, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Having begun as a community ensemble performing for friends in living rooms, they transitioned to a volunteer group of musicians performing a series of concerts for public consumption. They are…
Features, April 2017
Word of The Month: Chimerical
David Zapatka Have you ever had fanciful thoughts, found your imagination running on the wild side or had a fleeting thought that you knew was simply unrealistic? You may have been what’s called chimerical, this month’s word of the month. Chimerical – adjective chi·me·ri·cal kī-‘mer-i-k’l, k’-, -‘mir- Definition – imaginary, fantastic, unreal, absurd, impossible; indulging in unrealistic…
Features, March 2017
Word Of The Month: “Holy Cow”
David Zapatka Baseball spring training is upon us. The Cactus and Grapefruit leagues are in session. The smell of spring is in the air. Holy Cow! The Cubs are the defending World Series champions! 2017 is really going to be a historic preseason. Anyone remotely familiar with baseball remembers Harry Caray’s enthusiastic “Holy Cow!” Chicago…
Features, February 2017
Word of the Month: Abstemious
David Zapatka Thinking about buying a new car recently, reader Tom Mohr was researching a Car and Driver publication for the 2017 Honda CR-V. In the first-drive-review section of the article, the “highs” were listed – spacious inside, abstemious at the pump, quiet cabin, excellent steering. Reading “abstemious at the pump” prompted Tom to research the…
Features, January 2017
Word of the Month: Archetype
David Zapatka While reading about the hero’s journey, a theme that occurs in nearly all movie scripts, the word ”archetype” was presented as an aspect of movie characters. This so-called hidden DNA of storytelling was recognized in the 1800s by Max Muller when he noticed similarities between ancient epic stories and wrote about them in…
Features, December 2016
Word of the Month: Phronesis
David Zapatka Reading Acton Institute’s monthly newsletter this past week, I ran into a word I’m fond of. Reverend Robert Sirico, Acton Institute President, speaks about phronesis, this month’s Word of the Month. Phronesis fits in well with Acton’s mission statement which is “to promote a free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and…