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word nerd


19 oct 05

Something I do constantly (and much to Stephen Colbert‘s dismay) is look up words. I have an above average vocabulary (I hope) for someone my age, and I love to learn new words. However, I often look up words I aready know, because seeing the definition in print solidifies the word and its meaning in my mind. (Also, I’m a nerd, and I just like looking up things.) Metaphorically, the word and I spend a moment together. Frequently when I am reading things online, I’ll have a tab already open for dictionary.com.

Recent lookups:

  1. gravitas- substance, weightiness
  2. antipodean - situated at opposite sides of the earth
  3. misanthropic - characterized by a hatred or mistrustful scorn for humankind
  4. vitriolic - bitterly scathing; caustic
  5. laconic - using or marked by the use of few words; terse or concise

tamara  /  20 oct 2005  /  1:46 a.m.

Words #2-5 are all frequently used on the GRE. I have been working for two months to memorize them and 40 others. Misanthropic is the only one I have down.

James  /  20 oct 2005  /  3:14 a.m.

“Word nerd.” That rhymes.

I like “blandishments”, that’s a good word. And “loquacious”.

James  /  20 oct 2005  /  3:16 a.m.

Also, I usually have a tab open on Yahoo search, to use their “instant search” thing. Works well with dictionary definitions.

david  /  20 oct 2005  /  12:11 p.m.

i wish i had time to do that. You could just help us all out by creating a sideblog of your ‘Recent lookups’ Maura!

Jing  /  20 oct 2005  /  1:29 p.m.

i don’t mean to be word-nerdier than thou but isn’t it spelled “metAphorically”?

jason  /  20 oct 2005  /  5:54 p.m.

your vocab is so hot

shaun  /  20 oct 2005  /  6:04 p.m.

Vitriol is my favorite word.

C  /  21 oct 2005  /  12:21 a.m.

I’m proud that I knew what 3 of the 5 you wrote meant. I’m a word junkie too, but it seems like the older I get the wose I am at spelling them.


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© 2000-2008 Maura Chace. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of my employer.
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