Antimacassar David Zapatka Reader and fellow New Adventures In Learning student, Terry Meury, suggested a word for something we have all seen but few would be able to properly name; antimacassar / æntɪməˈkæsə/. You will certainly remember seeing armrest covers on sofas and headrest covers on chairs in your parents’ or grandparents’ homes. You may have…
Tag Archive for Word of the Month
Features, September 2015
Word of the Month: Empath part II
Dave Zapatka This month’s word of the month, “empath,” is derived from the Greek “em” (in) and “pathos” (feeling), the term “empath” means one who is able to “feel into” others’ thoughts and feelings. Empaths may be lucid dreamers. They may dream in detail and are inquisitive of dream content. They often feel their dreams…
Features, August 2015
Word Of The Month
Empath Dave Zapatka Born in fiction novels and movies, this month’s word of the month, “empath,” has found its way into the field of psychology and common vernacular. Derived from the Greek “em” (in) and “pathos” (feeling), the term empath means one who is able to feel into others’ thoughts and feelings. Empaths are highly…
Features, July 2015
Word of the Month: Ephemeral vs. Ethereal
David Zapatka Reader, friend and fellow table tennis player, June Wagner, explains that the words “ephemeral” and “ethereal” are sometimes used inappropriately since they sound so familiar. They are very different. “Ephemeral” (əˈfem(ə)rəl) refers to something that is brief, fleeting or quickly passing. “Ethereal” (əˈthirēəl) refers to something lacking material substance, marked by unusual delicacy…
Features, June 2015
Word of the Month: Phaeton
David Zapatka Reader, friend and fellow pickleball enthusiast, Bob Zimmerman, suggested a fascinating word with an interesting history for this month’s column; phaeton. Having driven a beautiful Phaeton motor home for many years after retiring, Bob researched not only the RV amenities, he wanted to know all about its namesake as well. Of all the…
Features, May 2015
Word of the Month
“I couldn’t care less” David Zapatka Reader, friend and pickleball mixed doubles partner, Dianne Zimmerman, suggested we investigate the colloquialisms “I could care less” and “I couldn’t care less” asking which one is correct. People mean the same thing when they use either of these expressions. They could not care any less than they do…
Features, April 2015
Word of the Month – April 2015
David Zapatka Reader and fellow Wisdom Seeker book-reading club member, Margaret Simkins, suggested a very long yet interesting word many of us may not recognize but are likely familiar with when listening to comedians or satirists; paraprosdokian. Paraprosdokian (/pærəprɒsˈdoʊkiən/) is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is…
Features, March 2015
Word of the Month – March 2015
David Zapatka Reader and fellow Pickleball player Connie Wilkinson brought up an interesting topic. There are so many words with the prefix “dis” that are not words when dis is removed or are they words? How about disgruntled, dismayed, disturbed distilled, discombobulated, disrupted and distinguished? Connie asks, “Did you ever hear of anyone being gruntled,…
Features, February 2015
Word of the Month – February 2015
Liminality David Zapatka There is a modern scholarly concept known as liminality. Interestingly enough you may not be able to find this word in your dictionary. You may be able to find liminal, limen, supraliminal and subliminal. Liminal means of or relating to a sensory threshold; barely perceptible; of or relating to being an intermediate…
Features, January 2015
Word of the Month – January 2015
David Zapatka Reader and friend Susan Hoffelt caught me after a duplicate bridge game and told me she loved words and would like for me to write about one of her many favorites. “I have been collecting words for years and do try to use them in conversation” said Susan. “I have pages more if…