World of words continues to unfold
Writers love words. Though that’s a generalization, in my experience it holds fairly true.
We may not be walking dictionaries, but we’re picky about our words, maybe even obsessive in our compulsion to find the perfect words to precisely convey our messages.
So, obviously, this story sharing information about new words – not simple colloquialisms or pop culture jargon, but REAL new words, caught my attention.
Professionally, the attention-getter for me was the word sudoku. The Asian-inspired number puzzles were barely a blip on the radar two years ago when they became part of The Enterprise – on Sept. 6, 2005. Now our world includes all manner of sudoku puzzle books, electronic sudoku games and more.
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, check it our on our daily puzzle page, generally in the “B” section of your printed Enterprise, or check the page 1 index of the printed newspaper for “Puzzles.”
They ARE challenging, sure to keep the blood flowing and those brain synapses zapping. My one piece of advice for novices – don’t be arrogant, use a pencil . . . with an eraser.
Beyond that professional interest, I also have a favorite among Webster’s 100 new words: ginormous.
My (and maybe the world’s) first exposure to the word came in the now almost classic Christmas movie, “Elf” starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the, well . . . elf.
Having been raised at the North Pole with Santa and the other elves, his world was somewhat limited and his charm very childlike . . . thus his comment in viewing his first “normal” toilet was that it was “ginormous.”
A silly movie, undoubtedly . . . and I’m not a big Will Ferrell fan, but the moment and the movie obviously held great public interest. And, the word is now – officially – part of our language.
So, where will the next word come from . . . a puzzle, a movie, a genre of music? That’s part of the fascination of our language. While we’re waiting, ponder this more complete list of new choices from Webster, sure to enhance your vocabulary, if not provide some amusement.
We may not be walking dictionaries, but we’re picky about our words, maybe even obsessive in our compulsion to find the perfect words to precisely convey our messages.
So, obviously, this story sharing information about new words – not simple colloquialisms or pop culture jargon, but REAL new words, caught my attention.
Professionally, the attention-getter for me was the word sudoku. The Asian-inspired number puzzles were barely a blip on the radar two years ago when they became part of The Enterprise – on Sept. 6, 2005. Now our world includes all manner of sudoku puzzle books, electronic sudoku games and more.
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, check it our on our daily puzzle page, generally in the “B” section of your printed Enterprise, or check the page 1 index of the printed newspaper for “Puzzles.”
They ARE challenging, sure to keep the blood flowing and those brain synapses zapping. My one piece of advice for novices – don’t be arrogant, use a pencil . . . with an eraser.
Beyond that professional interest, I also have a favorite among Webster’s 100 new words: ginormous.
My (and maybe the world’s) first exposure to the word came in the now almost classic Christmas movie, “Elf” starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the, well . . . elf.
Having been raised at the North Pole with Santa and the other elves, his world was somewhat limited and his charm very childlike . . . thus his comment in viewing his first “normal” toilet was that it was “ginormous.”
A silly movie, undoubtedly . . . and I’m not a big Will Ferrell fan, but the moment and the movie obviously held great public interest. And, the word is now – officially – part of our language.
So, where will the next word come from . . . a puzzle, a movie, a genre of music? That’s part of the fascination of our language. While we’re waiting, ponder this more complete list of new choices from Webster, sure to enhance your vocabulary, if not provide some amusement.
posted by Sheila Friedeck at 10:40 AM
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