Author Archives: Richard

Pronounced: AL-puhn-glow, noun Notes: This is a word that few of us have seen, and yet many people have seen Yesterday’s word The word reeve, as a verb, means “to pass (a rope or something like) through”. As a noun, it means “a local official”. First usage The verb form goes back to the earlyContinue reading “alpenglow”

Pronounced: reev, verb/noun Notes: An interesting word; see tomorrow’s comments Yesterday’s word The word desiderata is the plural form of desideratum and thus means “several things wanted or needed” First usage Our word came into English in the mid-1600s Background / Comments As you might guess from the singular and plural forms, our word comesContinue reading “reeve”

Pronounced: dih-sid-uh-RAY-tuh (alt 1: dih-sid-uh-RAH-tuh) (alt 2: dih-zid-uh-RAY-tuh) Notes: This is a plural noun; once again, this is a word I could have figured out, but I didn’t until after reading about it Yesterday’s word The word nuncupate means to solemnly pronounce to declare a will orally First usage This word came into English inContinue reading “desiderata”

Pronounced: NONE-kyuh-pate, verb Notes: I think the adjectival form ‘nuncupative’ may be better known Yesterday’s word The word nugatory means “of no value; worthless; trifling; having no effect; futile; in vain” First usage Our word came into English in the very late 1500s or very early 1600s Background / Comments I’m still impressed that aContinue reading “nuncupate”

Pronounced: NOO-guh-tawr-ee (alternative #1: NOO-guh-TORE-ee) (alternate #2: nyoo-) Notes: Kind of an excess of riches in ways to pronounce this word Yesterday’s word The word desacralize means “to deprive of hallowed status” First usage A more recent term; it came into English in the 1910s Background / Comments I should have been able to figureContinue reading “nugatory”

Pronounced: dee-SAY-kurh-lize (alt: dee-SAK-ruh-lize), verb Notes: Another word I didn’t know, but it made sense after I saw the origin Yesterday’s word The word vicissitude means “the change or variation in the course of something; cyclical ups and downs” First usage Our word came into English in the mid-1500s Background / Comments As I wroteContinue reading “desacralize”

Pronounced: vih-SIS-ih-tood (alt -tyood), noun Notes: I had the wrong meaning for this word Yesterday’s word The word pernoctate means to stay up all night to pass the night somewhere First usage This word came into English in the early 1600s Background / Comments What a great word! This is another one I hope toContinue reading “vicissitude”

Pronounced: purr-NOCK-tate, verb Notes: What a useful word! Yesterday’s word The word fubsy means “short and stout; squat” First usage Our word into English in the late 1700s Background / Comments This word came from an obsolete word fubs or fub (chubby person)

Pronounced: FUHN-zee, adj Notes: A nice word to know Yesterday’s word The word slacktivism means “activism that requires minimal effort” (examples are forwarding a message, or clicking a “like” button). First usage This word came into English in the 1990s Background / Comments Our word is a blend of slack and activism. As I said,Continue reading “fubsy”

Pronounced: SLACK-tuh-viz-uhm, noun Notes: This seems like a word for the modern age, but I don’t think I’ve seen it Yesterday’s word The word encomium is “a formal expression of praise; a eulogy” First usage This word came into English in the late 1500s Background / Comments A eulogy is often associated with funerals, butContinue reading “slacktivism”