April 24, 2019
by Neelima
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Parsimonious refers to frugality and it also means making a minimum number of assumptions. The sports reference is to not conceding goals. Here are some mentions of the word in literature. “Earthly nature may be parsimonious, but the human mind … Continue reading
April 17, 2019
by Neelima
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This word is relatively new, used in 1993 and is a term journalists use to talk about the reporters who comment on the news. Mostly commentariat is used in reference to commentators on American political affairs. The word is a … Continue reading
April 10, 2019
by Neelima
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The word obstreperous comes from ob– which means in the way plus strepere, a verb that means to make a noise or to rebel against something. So the adjective works well especially with unruly children, politicians, rebel groups and certain kinds of families. It’s … Continue reading
April 3, 2019
by Neelima
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Zugzwang is a situation usually found in chess where one player is put at a disadvantage because they must make a move when they would prefer to pass and not move. It’s a weak position but helps the other side … Continue reading
March 27, 2019
by Neelima
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Schadenfreude is a complex emotion. Toddlers openly express the feeling while adults conceal it. The wry smile at someone’s misfortune reflects feelings that exist in the emotional spectrum. Sometimes schadenfreude erupts as a result of rivalry and sometimes it is … Continue reading
March 20, 2019
by Neelima
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I first heard this term at a BYOB Party recently. Satisficing is a decision-making strategy or cognitive heuristic, a portmanteau of the words satisfy and suffice. It was introduced by Herbert A. Simon, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Economics, … Continue reading
March 13, 2019
by Neelima
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The word tergiversate was first used way back in 1590. But the word came back in full force and in 2011 it was named the Word of the Year by Dictionary.com as it represented the changing attitudes of the time. … Continue reading
March 6, 2019
by Neelima
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The word adjudicate comes from the Latin root ‘judex’, the word for law. This word is part of legalese and is also used in terminology associated with construction, background investigations and emergency response. Here are some instances in literature … Continue reading
February 27, 2019
by Neelima
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Auscultation, a term introduced by René Laennec, refers to the sounds of your body from the respiratory, circulatory and gastrointestinal systems that doctors listen to via their stethoscope. Listening as a diagnostic tool has been used way back since Ancient … Continue reading
February 20, 2019
by Neelima
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An ebullient person is someone who is bubbling with excitement. This adjective originates from the Latin bullire, which means to bubble out. Ebullient also has an archaic meaning which refers to the roiling of a boiling liquid. Here are some examples … Continue reading