Home

Latest from the Blog

raffish

Pronounced: RAF-ish, adj Notes: Another new one to me Yesterday’s word The word opusculum is “a minor work (such as literature) – the word is usually used in the plural First usage Our word came into English in the early 1600s Background / Comments Our word is usually used in the plural form (opuscula); it…

opusculum

Pronounced: oh-PUH-skyuh-lum, noun Notes: Another of many words I’ve not run across Yesterday’s phrase The phrase Roman holiday is “an entertainment event where pleasure is derived from watching gore and barbarism” First usage Our word came into English in the early 1800s Background / Comments Our word came from the gladiatorial contests held in ancient…

Roman Holiday

Pronounced: ROH-muhn HOL-ih-day, noun Notes: Not what I thought it meant Yesterday’s phrase The phrase viva voce means “by word of mouth; orally” First usage Our phrase came into English in the mid-1500s Background / Comments Our phrase came from the Medieval Latin phrase viva voce, which literally means “with the living voice”. I’ve just…

Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.