Word of the Day!

Seeing as the English language consists of such a vast array of delightfully precise and evocative terminology I thought I would test the water to see how many other ATS-ers would enjoy a collaborative effort at strengthening our collective lexicon.

So please feel free to throw in any inspirational or favorite words, plus whatever new and interesting ones you come across or occur to you in future!

They don't have to be fancy, but I'll start the ball rolling with a slightly exotic favorite:

schadenfreude - enjoyment or satisfaction obtained from contemplation of the misfortunes of others (Longman Dictionary of the English Language)



PS - dictionary.com is a great reference tool

My own word...
PISSTRATED self explanatory.combination of :
pissed off and frustrated.:bnghd:

reply to post by AccessDenied


I have some Aussie friends that say "pisserated" meaning very drunk... pissed with anebreated.

reply to post by pause4thought


You know, my favourite word today is gelassenheit ... meaning composure, calmness, serenity, placidity. My Quaker Auntie used it very much.

Strange how we both start out with German words, nicht wahr ?

reply to post by The Lass


Doch, überhaupt nicht komisch!

What a lovely word. Couldn't find it in my English dictionary, though. How about 'poise' as an equivalent?

Here's another old favourite: onomatapoeia - the naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it (e.g. in buzz, cuckoo)



PS My, my, we seem to have some highly-strung members in here.

One of my favs..that my mom used all the time:
comeuppance
meaning:
a deserved rebuke, or penalty
just deserts

reply to post by pause4thought


Oh dear. Epic fail on my part ! Someone's sent me a message saying gelassenheit is better translated as "the submission to the will of God". Mm how about pedantry ?

No, that's too boring. Let's try the obscure ...

Tatterdemalion

n.
A person wearing ragged or tattered clothing; a ragamuffin.

reply to post by The Lass


You vagabond!




[edit to add:]


Say Lass: you've just been redeemed! I nearly posted an admission that my German is so rusty I didn't spot your faux pas. Just happened to look it up online 20mins later & it turns out your interpretation fits great & my gut instinct was also on the mark (this time). Check it out here:

www.ego4u.com...


How about gerrymander ? Says a great deal for a single word. Nice conspiratorial flavor to it too:

- to divide (an area) into electoral districts in order to give one political party an electoral majority in a large number of districts, while concentrating the voting strength of the opposition in as few districts as possible (Longman Dic Eng Lang)

Not the prettiest word, but might come in handy on ATS.




[edit on 30/3/09 by pause4thought]

Originally posted by pause4thought
reply to post by The Lass

 

PS My, my, we seem to have some highly-strung members in here.

And this surprises you?

reply to post by Blogstalker



Are you casting aspertions ? (-jus luv dat wurd)


Truth is, it brought a smile to my face to see the first word that comes into people's minds when presented with this kind of challenge, in a pop-psychology type of way.

I can tell you a word I don't like, empowered. Drives me crazy and always used in reference to some woman initiative or another. Some of the modern "catch phrases" are annoying.

Edit to add. I would never cast aspertiions. I dont know you well enough.

[edit on 3/30/2009 by Blogstalker]

Deleterious - dangerous

reply to post by Blogstalker


Only kidding.

Pro-active gets on my nerves too. Even more so when I find myself using it.



Here's one I really love (the word, not the meaning!): loquacious - given to excessive talking

(And I didn't even make any gender-based remarks.)

While we're at it, the antonym, taciturn deserves a quick mention: - not communicative or talkative by nature

That's quite enough from me...



[edit:]

Except to say: nicely done, Tentickles. Awesome word.



[edit on 30/3/09 by pause4thought]

reply to post by pause4thought


I know you are kidding. Bygones I say

And I agree pro-active is another annoying one. I myself have never been called taciturn.

reply to post by Blogstalker


That's because you drink too much.

:w:

(If your Ozzie friends are anything to go by...)

Back when I was at school I prided my self on my ability to make any girl largh with the mere uttering of a single word.

That word, of course.... Aubergine.

What a lovely thread! And some great words too....

My favourite today is....nefarious...meaning wicked in the extreme. For some reason it keeps going through my head, but I assure you it's not because of anything I've done. Nothing I remember anyway.

A word I hate? "Superb". GRRRRRRR!!!!!! It's so over used and footbally, if you catch my drift.......

A flag from me and I will be back with some more.

Originally posted by pause4thought
reply to post by Blogstalker

 

That's because you drink too much.

:w:

(If your Ozzie friends are anything to go by...)

Now_Then we call them eggplants, not as funny

hmm. I heard a great one today, symbiosis. It has a nice ring to it and its actually a cool word to say 3 times fast.

Lollygag

v.
to fool around, to spend time aimlessly or to dawdle
(frequently used by members of the Armed Forces)