Blog — Page 16

What Out for Garbled Messages…

May 4, 2015 by Cool Word Club

If you have a smartphone, chances are you do a lot of text messaging.

In fact, the average American teenager sends and receives more than 3,000 text messages each month, according to surveys.

For most teens, being able to send text messages is the leading reason for having a smartphone.

Text messaging does have a downside, however.

If you’re typing quickly or have trouble hitting the right key, you may end up sending a garbled (see definition and hear pronunciation below) message.

This can lead to confusion—and some extremely humorous text messages!

Cool word question of the day: What are some of the dangers associated with garbled text messages?

Garbled: Distorted; misleading; incomprehensible.

Click here to hear a pronunciation of garbled.

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

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: garbled

Cool Word Challenge: Anodyne and Soporific

May 1, 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:

Anodyne: Innocuous; not likely to offend anyone.

Soporific: Tending to cause or induce drowsiness or sleep.

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

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: anodyne, cool word challenge, soporific

A Big Meal Has a Soporific Effect!

April 30, 2015 by Cool Word Club

Cats do a lot of sleeping!

In fact, the average cat spends up to 15 hours a day snoozing.

If you have a cat, it may seem that he/she isn’t awake hardly at all. But chances are good that your cat is most active when you are fast asleep.

It’s common for cats to be alert at breakfast time and to then fall asleep for much of the day.

That’s because eating a big meal tends to have a soporific (see definition and hear pronunciation below) effect on cats.

Once your cat is feeling well fed, it’s time for a nice, long snooze!

Cool word question of the day: Can you describe anything that has a soporific effect on you?

Soporific: Tending to cause or induce drowsiness or sleep.

Click here to hear a pronunciation of soporific.

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

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: soporific

Vocab Practice: Lobbyist

April 29, 2015 by Cool Word Club

This word appeared on the Cool Word Club website on April 23, 2015.

Let’s do a practice round!

Lobbyist means:

A) A person who recruits for sports teams
B) A person who works in management
C) A person who gives financial advice
D) A person who tries to influence legislation

VIEW ANSWER HERE

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: lobbyist, vocabulary practice

Vocab Practice: Flummox

April 28, 2015 by Cool Word Club

This word appeared on the Cool Word Club website on April 20, 2015.

Let’s do a practice round!

Flummox means:

A) To frighten
B) To confuse
C) To forget
D) To eliminate

VIEW ANSWER HERE

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: flummox, vocabulary practice

What an Anodyne Saying…

April 27, 2015 by Cool Word Club

“Every cloud has a silver lining” is a saying that is used so often that it’s no longer considered interesting or useful.

People often make this remark when they are trying to cheer someone up or suggest that something positive may come from a bad event.

“Look on the bright side” is another such platitude.

Even though these anodyne (see definition and hear pronunciation below) remarks are meant to be helpful, they may not do much good.

It’s often better to say something that is original and heartfelt.

This type of comment is likely to be much more meaningful!

Cool word question of the day: Can you think of any other anodyne sayings that are widely used?

Anodyne: Innocuous; not likely to offend anyone.

Click here to hear a pronunciation of anodyne.

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

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: anodyne

Cool Word Challenge: Flummox and Lobbyist

April 24, 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:

Flummox: To confuse; perplex; bewilder.

Lobbyist: A person who tries to influence government officials on behalf of a business or cause.

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, flummox, lobbyist

That’s What Lobbyists Do…

April 23, 2015 by Cool Word Club

When someone mentions Washington, D.C., you’re likely to think of the President of the United States or members of Congress.

But they are not the only ones who work in our nation’s capital.

More than 10,000 registered lobbyists (see definition and hear pronunciation below) advocate on behalf of businesses or special-interest groups to try to influence legislation in a way that benefits their clients.

Health-care organizations, computer companies and business associations are among the groups that hire lobbyists.

For people who love the political process, being a lobbyist is a great job!

Cool word question of the day: Do you think that lobbyists help or hurt the legislative process?

Lobbyist: A person who tries to influence government officials on behalf of a business or cause.

Click here to hear a pronunciation of lobbyist.

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

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: lobbyist