Word of the Day

[D. Allan]

rife adjective

full of, abundant, widespread, common (especially of unpleasant or harmful things)

Origins: O.E. rife "abundant." Related to O.N. rifr (Swed. river, Norw. riv), M.Du. riif, M.L.G. rive "abundant, generous." "The prevalence of the word in early southern texts is in favour of its being native in English, rather than an adoption from Scandinavian." [OED] –Online Etymology Dictionary

Honduras, a mountainous country slightly larger than Virginia, is rife with economic inequality and corruption. ‘World,’ The New York Times, June 7, 2010

The program opened with Prokofiev’s Sonata for Cello and Piano in C, written in 1949 after a period rife with personal and professional difficulties, … -Viven Schweitzer, ‘Romanticism with Russian Passion,’ The New York Times, Nov 15, 2010

But it is quite safe to say that superstition is as rife to-day as it ever was, the only difference being that now people are ashamed to acknowledge their weaknesses. –The New York Times, Oct. 7, 1888Words to Watch: Ripe or Rife?

These similar-sounding words are easily confused. “Rife” means (among other things) “full of, abounding in,” and is used with “with.” “Ripe” does not normally have that sense — it means, essentially, “fully developed, mature.” -Philip B. Corbett, The New York Times,

[Guest]

Good word D.

[D. Allan]

Yes it is useful; although I haven't used it. I'll try it now.

His speech is rife with swearing.

My driveway is rife with squashed acorns!

The apple trees are rife with crawling tiny green worms.

[Gail]

That's great! I think you have to say it 21 times for it to become a habit, don't you?

[D. Allan]

That reminds me: my 6th grade teacher made me write 100 times "I will not pass notes in class."

[D. Allan]

guff noun

1. Informal, nonsense; baloney; insolent backtalk. –American Heritage Dictionary

2. Scottish, an unpleasant smell. –Compact Oxford English Dictionary

origin: "empty talk, nonsense," 1888, from earlier sense of "puff of air" (1825), of imitative origin. –Online Etymology Dictionary

This week any Irish ears turned his way can expect to hear more of the kind of pseudo-scientific guff which marks much of what he says about tactics. –Paul Rowan, The Times (London), Jan. 12, 2009

I was even compelled to offer a talking point to the woman who at the Post Office who sold them to me: if she got any guff about them she could mention that the paintings are all at least 50 years old. –Roberta Smith, The New York Times, March 11, 2010

He’s published more guff, over the past 50 years, than just about any other major (semimajor? majorish?) American writer. –Dwight Garner, The New York Times, Dec. 10, 2009

You mean there's a Democrat politician who stands up for progressive values, supports the middle class, and doesn't take any guff from right wing nut cases who want to cut taxes for corporations and the wealthy and pay for it by eliminating social security and medicare, throwing the poor and elderly out of their homes and to the streets? –Reader’s Comment, The New York Times, Nov. 3, 2010

[Gail]

Beware the chuff that chuffs out guff!

[D. Allan]

quirt

noun

1. a short handled riding whip with a braided leather lash. –World dictionary

verb

2. to strike or whip with a quirt.

Origin: 1845, from Mexican Sp. cuarta –Online Etymology Dictionary

“The instinct of Sioux fighters was for exactly the opposite: to charge in and touch the enemy with a quirt, bow or naked hand while he was still alive.” Quoted from ‘The Killing of Crazy Horse’ by Thomas Powers in a Book review by Evan Thomas, The New York Times, Nov. 12, 2010

I happened to see a particularly large rattler, sunning himself on a spot of bare ground, and tried to ride up near enough to strike him with my quirt. But my horse was afraid… -‘A Serpent’s Suicide,’ The New York Times, June 2, 1874

…because of an attack upon her fourteen-year-old daughter…. Mrs. Graf, armed with a revolver and a quirt, drove to Arnold’s ranch…. …she clipped off a bit of his ear and grazed his cheek with two bullets. –‘Mother Punishes Ranchman,’ The New York Times, Dec. 16, 1908

[D. Allan]

carpetbagger noun

1. a Northerner who went to the South after the Civil War for political or financial advantage. American Heritage Dictionary

2. a political candidate who seeks election in an area where they have no local connections. –Compact Oxford English Dictionary

origin: so called because they carried their belongings in carpetbags.

...famous through letters he [Jesse James] sent to southern newspapers claiming he only robbed banks and trains owned by rich “carpetbaggers” from the north. – The Sunday Times (London), May 13, 2007

Standard Life was facing a fresh assault to its mutual status after a carpetbagger collected more than 1,000 signatures calling for the issue to be put to the vote. –The Times (London), Jan. 2, 2004

...recently laid off by banking giant JP Morgan, said he planned to flee New York to look for work like a modern-day carpetbagger. –James Bone, The Times (London), Sept. 29, 2008…

determined, however, to keep Russian industry in Russian hands - and therefore will not allow foreign carpetbaggers to buy up the shares at bargain prices. –‘Bear Market,’ The Times (London)

[D. Allan]

scallywag , also scallawag and scalawag noun, informal

1. a badly behaved but likeable person; a rascal. –Collins Pocket English Dictionary

2. U.S. a white Southerner who collaborated with northern Republicans during the post-war reconstruction period. –Compact Oxford English Dictionary

Origin: scalawag, "disreputable fellow," 1848, Amer.Eng., originally in trade union jargon, of uncertain origin, perhaps an alteration of Scottish scallag "farm servant, rustic" (by influence of wag "habitual joker"). –Online Etymology Dictionary

Max may have the climactic solo number, but he was, is and will be a lovable scalawag. –Bruce Weber, ‘Critic’s Notebook,’ The New York Times, July 16, 2003

''When I first met him, I thought he was kind of a scallywag,'' Ms. Yager said of Mr. Ruffalo. –Jesse McKinley, The New York Times, Feb. 07, 1999

The match between ‘Spineless’ Harry and ‘Clueless’ Mitch was canceled during the seventh round when senators on the floor had finally heard enough of such abusive terms as ’scallawag,’ ’scamp,’ ‘bandicoot,’ and ‘whippersnapper.’ -Reader’s Comment, ‘Senate Leaders Face Off on Health Care, The New York Times, June 23, 2009

A number of scoundrels and scallawags round town, who never were in any way connected with the army, are adopting the garb of the soldier as a conveni ence in carrying on the profession of a beggar. –‘A New Nuisance,’ The New York Times, Nov. 15, 1863

[Gail]

I think our boy dog is a scallywag.

[D. Allan]

...a most appropriate name for a dog!

[D. Allan]

gimp noun

1. a limp or a limping gait.

2. (offensive)a person who limps. –American Heritage Dictionary

3. a silk or cotton trimming that has a wire or cord running through it. Encarta World English Dictionary

intransitive verb: gimped, gimping, gimps

gimpy adjective

origins: 1925, "a crippled leg," also "a crippled person," perhaps by association with limp.-Online Etymology Dictionary

Mantle walks to second base, in obvious pain, and calls time out for a pinch runner, then trots off the field with that famous gimp of his. –Reader’s Comment, ‘Seeking Mantle Memories,’ The New York Times, Aug. 19, 2010

Then a short, stocky man in a T-shirt and baseball cap limped up the steps and gimped over to the piano,… -Dan Barry, ‘Just the Way He Is,’ The New York Times, July 13,2008

: If you are gimping — altering your gait— after 10 minutes of running, then it is an injury and not just an ache or pain. –Gina Kolata, ‘That Little Voice Inside Your Twinge,’ The New York Times, June 24, 2009

Brett Favre is back in the Vikings' huddle after Faux Retirement IV, but the Vikings have major questions that go beyond Favre's gimpy ankle. ... –Mike Tanier, The New York Times, Sept 9, 2010

Capes of white cashmere, lined with black satin have jet gimp edging.the collarette,…. –‘In Black and White,’ The New York Times, October 1, 1893

[D. Allan]

wry adjective

1. drily humorous and sardonic

2. of a twisted facial expression showing amusment or displeasure

origins: 1520s, "distorted, somewhat twisted," from obsolete verb wry "to contort, to twist or turn," from O.E. wrigian "to turn, bend, move, go,"… -Online Etymology Dictionary

“Do you think I look sexy in this uniform?” she asked with a wry look. –Sharon LaFraniere, The New York Times, Dec. 1, 2010

Woody Allen serves up the usual metaphysical pessimism with a wry shrug and an amusing flurry of coincidences. – A. O. Scott, ‘Woody Allen Again Looks Into the Void,’ The New York Times, Sept. 22, 2010

On a low shelf were wry greeting cards ($4.95) — “Dad wishes you were good at something,” “I’ve always found you vaguely attractive” — Jon Caramanica, ‘Manly, or Close,’ The New York Times, Nov. 24, 2010

The songs, …. …are information-packed, wry little tone poems made of found materials, setting arcane data to sprightly melodies…. –Charles Isherwood, The New York Times, Nov. 23, 2010

[Gail]

You do come up with the good ones, don't you? :)

[D. Allan]

When I am reading I keep pen and paper handy, just in case...

[Gail]

When I am reading I keep pen and paper handy, just in case...

I'm glad that you do! We are benefitting from your research here!

[D. Allan]

bight (b-eye-t)

noun

1: the loop or slack part of a rope, as opposed to the ends.

2: a bend in a shoreline, or the body of water bounded by such a bend, such as a bay. –Wordsmyth.net

transitive verb

bight, bighted, bighting, bights

to secure with a bight of rope. Wordsmyth.net

origins: O.E. byht "bend, angle, corner" (related to bow),… Online Etymology Dictionary

The captain stood on the break of the deck, a few feet from him, and a little raised, so as to have a good swing at him, and held in his hand the bight of a thick, strong rope. –Richard Henry Dana, Jr. ‘Two Years before the Mast.’

…and, sure enough, she was dragging her anchors, and drifting down into the bight of the bay. - Richard Henry Dana, Jr. ‘Two Years before the Mast.’

…most of the rest of the Southern California Bight — the curving shore from Point Conception, west of Santa Barbara, to just south of the Mexican border south of San Diego —… –Felicity Barringer, ‘The Sea Otter’s Fate in California,’ The New York Times, Nov. 25, 2010

[D. Allan]

solipsism noun (SOL ip sizm) Not to be confused with solecism.

1. Philosophy. the theory that only the self exists, or can be proved to exist.

2. extreme preoccupation with and indulgence of one’s feelings, desires, etc.; egoistic self-absorption. –based on Random House Dictionary

solipsist noun

solipsistic adjective

solipsismal adjective

solipsistically adverb

Origin: late 19th century: from Latin Solus “alone” + ipse “self” + ISM

Thus the claim that we cannot know other minds rests on the mistaken assumption that language can be private, incommunicable even in principle. This misunderstanding is the source of skepticism, for Wittgenstein, and, we might add, is also the source of our contemporary cultural autism / solipsism:… -Readers’ Comments, ‘Beyond Understanding,’ The New York Times, Nov. 21, 2010

The answer is that too many, like these elderly whites in Rome, have retreated into narcissism girded only by solipsism. –Readers’ Comments, ‘Devil of a Scandal’ by Maureen Dowd, The New York Times, April 4, 2010

And as his Glass stories grew more and more self-conscious and self-referential, readers became increasingly aware of the solipsism of that hothouse family of geniuses. –Michiko Kakutani, ‘Of Teen Angst and an Author’s Alienation,’ The New York Times, Jan 28, 2010

…amoral solipsist who holds to the pre-Copernican belief that the cosmos revolves around his ego. –Walter Kirn, ‘Human Orbits,’ The New York Times, April 16, 2010

Up in the Air aspires to the panoramic force of a state-of-the-nation address, but it obeys the solipsistic rules of a Hollywood star vehicle. –Denis Kim as quoted by Ross Douthat, The New York Times, March 9, 2010

...needs the author of Who Ate My Cheese? whispering in his ear about what a great guy he is to behave greedily, solipsistically or with a sense of grandiose entitlement. –The Times (London), Jan. 2, 2010

[D. Allan]

solecism noun (SOL –uh-siz-uhm)

1. A nonstandard or ungrammatical usage, as unflammable and they was.

2. a breach of good manners or etiquette.

3. an error, impropriety, or inconsistency. –based on Random House Dictionary

Origin: 1570s, from M.Fr. solécisme, from L. soloecismus "mistake in speaking or writing," from Gk. soloikismos "to speak (Greek) incorrectly," from soloikos "ungrammatical utterance," prop. "a speaking like the people of Soloi," from Soloi, Athenian colony in Cilicia, whose dialect the Athenians considered barbarous. –Online Etymology Dictionary

Related forms:

solecist, noun

solecistic, solecistical, adjective

solecistically, adverb

It’s a terrible solecism, apparently, to drink wine with soup in Belgium. – ‘Wine: Joanna Simon: Sauce,’ The Sunday Times (London), Jan. 26, 2003

…in 1985 the British linguist-novelist Anthony Burgess agreed, calling the use of disinterested to mean uninterested “one of the worst of all American solecisms.” -William Safire, ‘Incorrections,’ The New York Times, Dec. 10, 2006

In history it will appear a marvelous solecism if this enterprise should be carried out -- if such a gigantic work should be brought up to our very doors, without our caring to participate… ‘The Progress and Prospects of the New Atlantic Telegraph,’ The New York Times, May 10, 1865

Proof-readers are no longer docked a shilling for every typo and solecism they let through. –Philip Howard, The Times (London), Nov. 30, 2010

For instance, you ought not merely correct a solecism: you are not the students’ editor. Instead, help them recognize and repair such errors themselves. –Randy Cohen, ‘Bad Company’, The New York Times, Oct. 22, 2010

Where does the ubiquitous solecism “The problem is is that ….” come from? –Fred Shapiro, ‘Quotes Uncovered…’, The New York Times, June 24, 2010

…or a solecism ("soaring into the netherworld of meaningless abstractions" — soaring is best done upward). –Jim Holt, ‘Oh, Joy,’ The New York Times, Feb. 12, 2006

[D. Allan]

lanai noun

a covered patio or veranda especially one fully furnished and used as a living room.

Origin: 1865-70; from Hawaiian ‘lanai’ roofed structure with open sides

In addition, there is a bluestone patio with lanai and a porch swing off the living room. –Bethany Little, ‘House Tour: Rhinebeck, N.Y., The New York Times, Sept. 23, 2010

In passing let me explain that the ‘lanai’ is one of the institutions of Hawaiian home life. It is a large square veranda, which is used at all times of the year as a living room. –‘Hawaiian Hospitality,’ The New York Times, Dec. 26, 1898

A French door in the master bedroom opens to a lanai with a built-in barbecue and shade screen. –Bethany Lyttle, ‘Breathtaking Panoramas,’ The New York Times, Jan. 4, 2010

[D. Allan]

brackish adjective

1. having a slightly salty taste, as river water mixing with the sea.

2. unplatable, distasteful

1530s, from Scottish brack "salty" –Online Etymology Dictionary

“… that an estuary -- which the Bay-Delta is, it's not a reservoir -- requires freshwater inflow that then mixes with tidal flow to create the rich brackish water that provides spawning, nursery and residence habitat." - Don Pool & Zeke Grader as quoted by Colin Sullivan, The New York Times, Nov 18, 2010

Once the bacteria find their way into the right environment, like the brackish water of an estuary, cholera-causing microbes — Vibrio cholerae — can live on for a long time. –Denise Grady, The New York Times, Oct. 25, 2010

...last week, I got into a discussion about whether the water racing up from the Thames Estuary on an incoming tide would taste brackish. Wouldn’t a bit of seawater get mixed in? –Matthew Parris, The Times (London), April 9, 2009

O could I feel as I have felt, or be what I have been,

Or weep as I could once have wept o’er many a vanish’d scene,-

As Springs in deserts found seem sweet, all brackish though they be,

So midst the wither’d waste of life, those tears would flow to me! --Lord Byron George Gorden, ‘Youth and Age’

[D. Allan]

mallerina noun

ballet a male ballerina.

This superb male group, known as the Trocks, appeared in all of its mallerina glory — that is, man plus ballerina — on Friday in a program of repertory works…. –Gia Kourlas, ‘Part Goofy, Part Glorious, All Man,’ The New York Times, Dec. 19, 2010

Links: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/12/19/arts/dance/20101220-trocks.html?ref=dance

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/20/arts/dance/20trocks.html

http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2010/12/20/TROCKS.html

[D. Allan]

segue (segway)

verb: to move smoothly without interruption from one thing to another (often a musical direction)

segues, segueing, segued

noun: any smooth uninterrupted transition from one thing to another esp. used in sections of music or film.

Origin: 1740, an instruction in musical scores, from It. segue, lit. "now follows," meaning to play into the following movement without a break, third person sing. of seguire "to follow," from L. sequi "to follow," from PIE *sekw- "to follow" (see sequel). Extended noun sense of "transition without a break" is from 1937; the verb in this sense is first recorded 1958. –Online Etymology Dictionary

As millions of baby boomers retire, she says, they will segue from their accumulation years into their spend-down years. –David Segal, ‘Some Very Creative Economic Fix-Its,’ The New York Times, Nov. 27, 2010

That offering, Martin Frost said beforehand, was intended to segue to the last work on the program, Bartok’s Divertimento for Strings. –Steve Smith, Music Review, The New York Times, Dec. 5, 2010

Now the summer is over, most of us are seeking the sartorial segue to autumn. –Trend watch:autumn ankle boots,’ The Sunday Times (London), Sept. 6, 2009

Even trying to catch your breath is no mean feat once the Mexican acoustic guitar duo have warmed up. As one segue follows another, you begin to realise that the programme is largely divided into two categories – fast and even faster... –Clive Davis, ‘Rodrigo y Gabriela, The Times (London), Dec. 12, 2007

[Gail]

TU