February 2012
die Gerechtigkeit (n.)
deutschoftheday:
-justice
Gerechtigkeit ist wichtig. - Justice is important.
POSEUR
poseur
PRONUNCIATION:
(poh-ZUHR)
MEANING:
noun: One who behaves in an affected manner to impress others.
ETYMOLOGY:
From French poseur (poser), from poser (to pose), from Latin pausa (pause). Earliest documented use: 1869.
USAGE:
“Is Alain de Botton the biggest pseud and poseur of all time, or a brilliant writer who asks intriguing questions?” Lynn Barber; The Way Words Work; The...
DEPONE
depone \dih-POHN, verb:
To testify under oath; depose.
These two females did afterwards depone that Mr. Willet in his consternation uttered but one word, and called that up the stairs in a stentorian voice, six distinct times. — Charles Dickens, Barnaby Rudge
I cannot depone positively to the exact proportion of his waking or of his sleeping dreams that was of their weaving. —...
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: I shall live badly if I do...
ROUE
roue
PRONUNCIATION:
(roo-AY, ROO-ay)
MEANING:
noun: A debauched man, especially an elderly man from a wealthy or aristocratic family.
ETYMOLOGY:
From French roué (literally, broken on a wheel), from rouer (to break on the wheel), from Latin rota (wheel). The word arose from the belief that such a person deserved this punishment. Earliest documented use: 1781.
NOTES:
The word was first applied...
SCREED
screed \skreed, noun:
1. A long discourse or essay, especially a diatribe. 2. An informal letter, account, or other piece of writing. 3. Building Trades. A. A strip of plaster or wood applied to a surface to be plastered to serve as a guide for making a true surface. B. A wooden strip serving as a guide for making a true level surface on a concrete pavement or the like. C. A board or metal...
DIY Elbow Patches →
PIACULAR
piacular \pahy-AK-yuh-ler, adjective:
1. Expiatory; atoning; reparatory. 2. Requiring expiation; sinful or wicked.
The journey to obtain scriptures in the Western Heaven is, for Tripitaka and his disciples, also the piacular journey of return to Buddha, and like the Odysseus of the Homeric poem, the scripture pilgrim must pass through appalling obstacles for past offenses against the gods....
DILETTANTE
dilettante
PRONUNCIATION:
(DIL-i-tahnt, dil-i-TAHNT, -tay, -tee)
MEANING:
noun: One who takes up an activity or interest in a superficial or casual way. adjective: Superficial; amateurish.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Italian dilettante (amateur), from Latin delectare (to delight). Earliest documented use: 1733.
USAGE:
“I long ago came to realize that I am a putterer, a grazer, a dilettante. I...
10 Pro Tips for Writers Using Social Media →
jeanprytyskacz:
We recently covered 10 inspiring social networks for writers that can help you extend your influence and develop your content. But what about the mainstream networks? How do you successfully raise your profile and gain a following? Six well-known authors and writers, who are experts in thi…
Top 5 Social Sites for Film Fans →
jeanprytyskacz:
If you ranted and raved about the recent Oscar nominations on Facebook, but none of your friends seemed to care, it’s time to either A) find new friends or B) find a social network that caters to your cinematic needs. Here are five great sites that help you connect with film fans from all ov…
das Schicksal (n.)
deutschoftheday:
-destiny
It’s our destiny. - Es ist unser Schicksal.
“And when at last you find someone to whom you feel you can pour out your soul,...”
– Sylvia Plath (via eriksatie)
“Some things are hard to write about. After something happens to you, you go to...”
– Sylvia Plath (via trua)
Jemandem etwas schulden (v.)
deutschoftheday:
- to owe somebody something
“I was so alone and I owe you so much!” - “Ich war so alleine und ich schulde dir so viel!”
WASTREL
wastrel
PRONUNCIATION:
(WAY-struhl)
MEANING:
noun: A good-for-nothing, wasteful person.
ETYMOLOGY:
Via French from Latin vasatre (to lay waste), from vastus (desert, empty) + -rel (a diminutive or pejorative suffix). Earliest documented use: 1589.
USAGE:
“With Greece at the center of a cyclone that threatens the global economy, foreign citizens believe that their taxes have been raised...
FILIOPIETISTIC
filiopietistic \fil-ee-oh-pahy-i-TIS-tik, adjective:
Pertaining to reverence of forebears or tradition, especially if carried to excess.
The popular historical narratives of the many immigrant groups may indeed be filiopietistic in the exaggerated and often shrilly made claims for their important contributions to the making of the country of their choice. — Orm Øverland, immigrant...
“He wasn’t the type for displays of affection, either verbal or not. He was...”
– Sarah Dessen (via timeisablur)
3 Free iPhone Apps for Creating Your Own... →
jeanprytyskacz:
Stop-motion animation used to be a complicated, time-consuming process, but the emergence of easy, automated apps make it something creative that anyone can try — for free! We have tried and tested three simple iPhone apps, and we recommend that stop-motion animation beginners give them a go….
