Blog — Page 14

Check Out This Oblique Monument!

June 1, 2015 by Cool Word Club

One of Italy’s most iconic images is the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

With its famously slanted shape, this monument is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

A reigning example of medieval Europe, construction of the bell tower began in 1173. Many theories have been offered to explain the oblique (see definition and hear pronunciation below) exterior of the structure.

For example, some people believe that the soil was too soft to support the weight of the tower. According to this theory, the structure began to slant to one side during construction and has remained that way ever since!

To read more about the Leaning Tower of Pisa, go to: http://towerofpisa.info/leaning-tower-of-pisa-facts/

Cool word question of the day: Have you ever seen an oblique structure?

Oblique: Having a slanted direction or position; indirect or evasive.

Click here to hear a pronunciation of oblique.

https://coolwordclub.com/wp-content/uploads/oblique.mp3

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: oblique

Cool Word Challenge: Quagmire and Garrulous

May 29, 2015 by Cool Word Club

Cool Word Challenge: Just for fun, come up with one sentence that uses both of the cool vocabulary words that you learned this week.

Here are the words again:

Quagmire: An area of soft, wet ground; a complex or dangerous situation from which it is difficult to free oneself.

Garrulous: Excessively talkative, especially in a rambling manner on trivial matters.

Submit your sentence below. The most creative ones that we receive will be published on our site!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: cool word challenge, garrulous, quagmire

What a Garrulous Politician…

May 28, 2015 by Cool Word Club

The filibuster is a tactic often used by members of the US Congress to delay or prevent the adoption of a legislative measure.

Characterized by lengthy speeches that go on for hours, often with no relevancy to the legislation that is being debated, filibusters sometimes reveal a lighter side to Congress.

In 2013, Sen. Rand Paul’s garrulous (see definition and hear pronunciation below) speech continued nonstop for nearly 13 hours.

Other recent speeches have included famous quotes and readings from books, including Dr. Seuss’s children’s classic “Green Eggs and Ham.”

Some members of Congress have even read from phone books!

Today, debate continues as to the filibuster’s role in American politics.

Cool word question of the day: Would you vote for a garrulous politician?

Garrulous: Excessively talkative, especially in a rambling manner on trivial matters.

Click here to hear a pronunciation of garrulous.

https://coolwordclub.com/wp-content/uploads/garrulous.mp3

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: garrulous

Vocab Practice: Etymology

May 27, 2015 by Cool Word Club

This word appeared on the Cool Word Club website on May 21, 2015.

Let’s do a practice round!

Etymology means:

A) The study of water
B) The study of novels
C) The study of the origin of words
D) The study of butterflies

VIEW ANSWER HERE

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: etymology, vocabulary practice

Vocab Practice: Contusion

May 26, 2015 by Cool Word Club

This word appeared on the Cool Word Club website on May 18, 2015.

Let’s do a practice round!

Contusion means:

A) Loud sound
B) Bruise
C) Violence
D) Teamwork

VIEW ANSWER HERE

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: contusion, vocabulary practice

That’s Quite a Quagmire!

May 25, 2015 by Cool Word Club

The Florida Everglades, located in southern Florida, are a complex ecological system of wetlands.

This area is home to diverse wildlife, such as numerous birds, mammals and reptiles, including alligators and crocodiles.

With their beautiful landscape and intriguing swamps, the Everglades have become a popular tourist destination.

However, these quagmires (see definition and hear pronunciation below) pose a challenge for carefree tourists who must watch where they step so they don’t get stuck in a muddy bog.

Some of this marshland can be quite tricky to walk through!

Cool word question of the day: What would you do if you had trouble navigating a quagmire similar to what’s found in the Florida Everglades?

Quagmire: An area of soft, wet ground; a complex or dangerous situation from which it is difficult to free oneself.

Click here to hear a pronunciation of quagmires.

https://coolwordclub.com/wp-content/uploads/quagmire.mp3

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: quagmire

Cool Word Challenge: Contusion and Etymology

May 22, 2015 by Cool Word Club

Cool Word Challenge: Just for fun, come up with one sentence that uses both of the cool vocabulary words that you learned this week.

Here are the words again:

Contusion: Bruise; an area in which body tissue is injured but the skin is not broken.

Etymology: The study of the origin of words, including how their meanings have evolved over time.

Submit your sentence below. The most creative ones that we receive will be published on our site!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: contusion, cool word challenge, etymology

The Joys of Etymology!

May 21, 2015 by Cool Word Club

Have you ever looked at a word and wondered how it came into being?

For example, the word “money” comes, in part, from the Latin word “moneta.”

Knowing a word’s origin and how its meaning has evolved over time gives you a greater appreciation for it.

If you get serious about this endeavor, you can tell your friends that you’ve become interested in etymology (see definition and hear pronunciation below).

That will make them stop and think!

Cool word question of the day: How do you think that etymology might help you excel in other fields of study?

Etymology: The study of the origin of words, including how their meanings have evolved over time.

Click here to hear a pronunciation of etymology.

https://coolwordclub.com/wp-content/uploads/etymology.mp3

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: etymology