This word appeared on the Cool Word Club website March 25, 2013.
Let’s do a practice round!
Hiatus means:
A) A flowing stream
B) A tall building
C) A type of picture frame
D) A break, gap or interruption
Remember HIATUS?
April 2, 2013 by
Will You Be HOODWINKED?
April 1, 2013 by
Happy April Fools’ Day!
If you live in one of the many countries around the world in which April Fools’ Day is observed, this is a day for having fun.
Some people let their imaginations run wild when they are coming up with pranks to hoodwink (see definition below) their friends.
The exact origin of this unusual day of frivolity is not known. By some accounts, the tradition began in 1582. This is the year that the Gregorian calendar was adopted, moving the beginning of a new year from April 1 to January 1. Those who continued to celebrate New Year’s Day on April 1 were labeled “April fools.” But that theory isn’t accepted by everyone.
Whatever the origin of this day, it is a fine time for harmless hoaxes. When the joke is revealed, it’s customary of course to proclaim your “victim” an “April fool”!
Cool word vocabulary question of the day: What do you think is the best way to observe April Fools’ Day?
HOODWINK: To deceive or trick.
How SUPPLE Is It?
March 28, 2013 by
If you do most of your writing and class assignments on a computer, you probably don’t use an eraser that often.
But if you still like to use a pencil from time to time, an eraser comes in very handy.
The eraser was invented in France in 1752, according to most published accounts. Believe it or not, rolled-up pieces of white bread were used to remove pencil marks before the advent of the eraser.
For some people, erasers are reminders that we all make mistakes from time to time. These supple, (see definition below) little tools give us the freedom to write, draw or even do mathematical equations, knowing that our work can always be changed, if needed.
You might say that erasers are precursors to our modern-day “delete” buttons!
Cool word vocabulary question of the day: Can you think of other supple objects that make our day-to-day lives easier?
SUPPLE: Bending easily, flexible, compliant.
Remember SOIREE?
March 27, 2013 by
This word appeared on the Cool Word Club website March 21, 2013.
Let’s do a practice round!
SOIREE means:
A) A vivid sunrise
B) A party held in the evening
C) A baby lion
D) A suspenseful story
Remember SUBLINGUAL?
March 26, 2013 by
This word appeared on the Cool Word Club website March 18, 2013.
Let’s do a practice round!
SUBLINGUAL means:
A) Swollen
B) Hearty
C) Under the tongue
D) Mean-spirited
Time for a HIATUS!
March 25, 2013 by
Taking a hiatus (see definition below) from schoolwork during March or April has become a tradition in many parts of the world.
Commonly known as spring break or mid-term break, the holiday has different names depending upon the students’ location. However, the premise is basically the same no matter what the break is called.
Some students use the time to relax at home, while others like to go on vacation with their families. For those who travel, beaches are one of the most popular destinations.
The warm weather and relaxing atmosphere give students an opportunity to unwind before they return to their classes. But even if you stay home during your hiatus, you still have a chance to take some much-deserved down time.
Then you’ll be refreshed and ready for your return to school!
Cool word vocabulary question of the day: Do you think that it’s important to take a hiatus from schoolwork? Why or why not?
HIATUS: A break, gap or interruption.
Are You Planning a SOIREE?
March 21, 2013 by
If you’re planning a party, there are lots of ways to make it look festive.
Some people use confetti or streamers, but balloons are probably the most popular decoration.
The balloon was first invented in a laboratory in 1824. But it wasn’t until the early 1900s that balloons were manufactured in the United States.
At some point, most people have blown up a balloon made from latex, a material produced from the sap of rubber trees. But there are also foil balloons that are filled with helium.
So the next time you’re celebrating a holiday, a birthday or some other special occasion, you may want to consider using some type of decoration.
Even if you’re just having a few friends over for a casual soiree (see definition below) on a Saturday night, it’s fun to create a festive atmosphere!
Cool word question of the day: What do you think would be the best way to prepare for a soiree?
SOIREE: A party held in the evening.
Is That SUBLINGUAL?
March 18, 2013 by
You’ve probably heard of people who are “bilingual.” They speak two languages fluently.
But what about sublingual (see definition below)? You can quickly determine the word’s meaning by breaking it down into its Latin root components–sub means “under,” and lingua means “tongue.”
Sublingual is commonly used to describe a type of pill that is placed under the tongue. Instead of swallowing or chewing the pill, it dissolves quickly under the tongue.
This type of pill might be used for, say, nitroglycerin tablets that are given to help prevent a heart attack. Some vitamins, such as B12, are also given in this way.
Not all vitamins and medications are available in a sublingual form. But if you need to take a pill, you might want to ask just in case!
Cool word question of the day: Can you think of other words that begin with the prefix “sub”?
SUBLINGUAL: Under the tongue.
Too PICAYUNE for You?
March 14, 2013 by
You’ve probably heard the superstition that picking up a penny from the ground brings good luck.
Do you believe that’s true?
Would you pick up a one-cent coin if you saw one on the ground?
Interestingly, some people think that a coin as picayune (see definition below) as a penny isn’t worth the effort.
Other people disagree and collect all the coins that they find in a “change jar.” In a year’s time, the money can really add up.
Pennies are certainly plentiful. The US Mint produces millions of pennies each day, and these coins last for an average of 25 years.
So chances are good that you will you’ll find some pennies in your path! Just be sure to keep your eyes on the traffic, though, if you spot a shiny coin while crossing the street.
To learn more about pennies, go to the US Mint website at: www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/circulatingCoins/?action=circPenny
Cool word question of the day: Do you think it’s worthwhile to collect picayune objects?
PICAYUNE: Of minimal value, trivial.
Do You See the VARIEGATION?
March 11, 2013 by
Brown? Blue? Or green?
Most humans have eyes that fall into one of these general color categories. But if you look closely, you’ll notice lots of variegation (see definition below).
What is it that determines our eye color? Several genes that we inherit are responsible, but it’s a complex process.
At one time, it was thought that brown-eyed people had dominant genes and would always produce offspring with the same eye color. But scientists now know that’s not true.
If both your parents have brown eyes, you can still end up with blue eyes, for example.
Several genes control production of a pigment known as melanin. It is stored in the iris of each eye and determines the color of your eyes. Light-colored eyes have less melanin than dark-colored eyes.
So the next time you gaze into someone’s eyes, it’s worth noting the true color!
Cool word question of the day: What benefits are offered by the variegation of eye color and other individual features?
VARIEGATION: The state of being varied in colors, diversified.
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