An especially nasty, vicious, or savage person or animal (especially a dog). Of a person, often used in the phrase “meaner than a junkyard dog.” Watch the video
Month: January 2021
Eyeball Tattooing
First used by Roman physician Galen in the 2nd century, eyeball tattooing has been practiced for centuries to disguise deformities of the cornea such as opaque white scar tissue. The procedure involves injecting dye directly into the cornea. Though it is usually performed on eyes that have already lost sight, corneal tattooing can also be used to improve vision, such as by reducing glare resulting from other eye surgeries. Which US state outlawed cosmetic tattooing of the white part of the eye? Discuss
forebear
Definition: (noun) A person from whom one is descended.
Synonyms: ancestor, predecessor, progenitor.
Usage: I am hoping that a visit to the land of my forebears will help me get in touch with my roots.
Discuss
published
factoid – An unsubstantiated statement, account, or report published as if it were factual, coined by the novelist Norman Mailer from fact + -oid (as in android, humanoid), in reference to his fictionalized biography of Marilyn Monroe. More…
divulgate – If something is divulgate, it is published. More…
libel, slander – Libel—from Latin libellus, “little book”—must be published, while spoken defamatory remarks are slander; libel first meant “document, written statement.” More…
jungle telegraph
An informal means of communication or information, especially gossip. Used most commonly in the phrase “hear (something) on the jungle telegraph.” (Analogous to “hear (something) through the grapevine.”) Primarily heard in UK. Watch the video
Inari
Though its origin is unclear, worship of Inari, the Shinto god of rice and prosperity, dates to at least the 8th century BCE. Today, shrines to Inari are among the most numerous in Japan. Throughout history, Inari has been variously depicted as a woman with long hair carrying sheaves of rice or as a bearded old man riding a fox, which is sometimes identified as his messenger. As an offering to the fox statues at Inari’s shrines, worshippers leave a dish known as Inari-zushi. What is it? Discuss
imposture
Definition: (noun) The act or instance of engaging in deception under an assumed name or identity.
Synonyms: impersonation.
Usage: I am not Prince Camaralzaman, but a princess like yourself and his wife, and I beg you to listen to my story, then I am sure you will forgive my imposture.
Discuss
pity
alms – Goes back to Greek eleemosune, “compassion, pity,” and eleos, “mercy.” More…
bemoan, lament – Bemoaning is motivated when pity or grief is over an event that is joined to a consequence, whereas lamenting is motivated when the grief is over the event itself. More…
pity, piety – Pity and piety shared the meanings “compassion” and “dutifulness, reverence” for a while. More…
ruth, ruthless, ruthful – Ruth, meaning “compassion, pity,” is part of ruthless and ruthful. More…
jump in (one's) skin
To start or recoil, as from shock, surprise, or fear. Watch the video
Minaret of Jam
Hidden in the remote mountains of Afghanistan, far from human settlement, the ancient Minaret of Jam was forgotten by the outside world until its rediscovery by archaeologists in 1957. The minaret was built in 1194 CE, probably as part of the Ghurid Dynasty’s summer capital, the lost city of Firuzkuh. Set by the junction of two small rivers, the ornate brick-and-tile structure stands 213 feet (65 m) high and is surrounded by ruins. The Quranic text on the minaret refers to what historic woman? Discuss