disingenuous - dis-in-JEN-you-us - deceitful, lying, insincere, dishonest, underhanded
Example: "According to an American source, . today's response from an Iranian spokesman regarding the discovery of a second nuclear site was a disingenuous claim that the secret site was simply a back-up in case the first one came under enemy attack."
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Word for Today - Sept 29, 2009
regimen - REJ-ih-MEN - a recommended program designed to make improvements
Exmple: " Philips announced today that, if their new LED bulb passes the department's testing regimen, it will be an even more efficient, longer-lasting lighting device than today's compact fluorescent bulbs."
Exmple: " Philips announced today that, if their new LED bulb passes the department's testing regimen, it will be an even more efficient, longer-lasting lighting device than today's compact fluorescent bulbs."
Monday, September 28, 2009
Word for Today - Sept. 28, 2009
arbiter - ARE-bih-TER - a person who settles a dispute or has ultimate authority in a matter
Example: "The man who created Gap died yesterday, but, more importantly to the political and communication world, William Safire, the arbiter of correct word usage, at the age of 79, also died."
Example: "The man who created Gap died yesterday, but, more importantly to the political and communication world, William Safire, the arbiter of correct word usage, at the age of 79, also died."
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Word for Today - Sept. 27, 2009
Yooper - YOU-purr - nickname for residence of Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Example: " NPR this morning took a trip to Upper Michigan when interviewer/announcer Liane Hanson presented an aural picture of life among the Yoopers, from their favorite food (meat pasties) to a long historical life of hard work in iron & copper mines."
Example: " NPR this morning took a trip to Upper Michigan when interviewer/announcer Liane Hanson presented an aural picture of life among the Yoopers, from their favorite food (meat pasties) to a long historical life of hard work in iron & copper mines."
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Word for Today - Sept. 26, 2009
aficionado - uh-FISH-ee-oh-NAH-doh - devotee, fan
Example: "Today in NYC, a large group of anime (famed Japan-based, usually hand-painted, animations) aficionados took to the streets to celebrate anime (ANN-ee-MAY) films, especially those made by "Ponyo" artist Hayao Miyazaki."
Example: "Today in NYC, a large group of anime (famed Japan-based, usually hand-painted, animations) aficionados took to the streets to celebrate anime (ANN-ee-MAY) films, especially those made by "Ponyo" artist Hayao Miyazaki."
Friday, September 25, 2009
Word for Today - Sept 25, 2009
deleterious - DEL-eh-TER-yus - causing harm or damage
Example: "The accumulating evidence against a Denver airport shuttle driver suggests he may be capable of deleterious action, with some investigators calling his case the most serious since 9/11."
Example: "The accumulating evidence against a Denver airport shuttle driver suggests he may be capable of deleterious action, with some investigators calling his case the most serious since 9/11."
Word for Today - Sept 24, 2009
fatuous, fatuity - FAT-you-US, FAT-you-it-TEE - a state of being ignorant yet not realizing it, so flaunting it
Example: "According to Jonathan Swift fatuous people know just enough to make them hate, but not enough to make them love one another - or something like that."
Example: "According to Jonathan Swift fatuous people know just enough to make them hate, but not enough to make them love one another - or something like that."
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Word for today - Sept 23, 2009
incipient - in-SIP-ee-ENT - in an initial stage, just beginning to happen
Example: "In an incipient move, a businessman in Madagascar has found a way to weave golden silk cloth from the spinets of huge native spiders."
Example: "In an incipient move, a businessman in Madagascar has found a way to weave golden silk cloth from the spinets of huge native spiders."
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Word for Today - Sept 22, 2009
catatonic - KAT-uh-TON-ik - in a state of stupor, inertia, trance-like
Example: "In reaction to the death of a loved one a person, at least for a time, could become catatonic, submerged in sadness."
Example: "In reaction to the death of a loved one a person, at least for a time, could become catatonic, submerged in sadness."
Monday, September 21, 2009
Word for Today - Sept 21, 2009
ostentatious - AHS-ten-TAY-shus - showiness, pretentiousness, flashy, flamboyant
Example: "The movie 'Jennifer's Body' is the latest in witless, ostentatious horror flicks, featuring in this case a seductive woman in the role traditionally designed for male blood-thirsty killers."
Example: "The movie 'Jennifer's Body' is the latest in witless, ostentatious horror flicks, featuring in this case a seductive woman in the role traditionally designed for male blood-thirsty killers."
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Word for Today - Sept. 20, 2009
gravitas - GRAV-ih-TAZ - a serious & solemn attitude or way of behaving
Example: "During the Republican gathering to discuss future candidates for the next presidential election, Romney was encouraged to run again, suggested for having the 'gravitas needed for the office.'"
Example: "During the Republican gathering to discuss future candidates for the next presidential election, Romney was encouraged to run again, suggested for having the 'gravitas needed for the office.'"
Friday, September 18, 2009
Word for Today - Sept 18, 2009
heinous - HAY-nus - evil or wicked to the extreme, abominable
Example: "The latest truck bomb suicide in Pakistan continues the heinous war crimes committed by the Taliban."
Example: "The latest truck bomb suicide in Pakistan continues the heinous war crimes committed by the Taliban."
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Word for Today - Sept. 17, 2009
contemptuous - con-TEMP-chew-US - a feeling that expresses or demonstrates a strong dislike or utter lack of respect
"The latest right-wing attempt to tarnish President Obama's character now focuses on whether or not he was involved with the contemptuous actions of the Acorn Group and its use of government funds for under-age prostitution; the debate continues."
"The latest right-wing attempt to tarnish President Obama's character now focuses on whether or not he was involved with the contemptuous actions of the Acorn Group and its use of government funds for under-age prostitution; the debate continues."
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Word for Today - Sept 16, 2009
marauder - mah-ROD-er - one who roams, plunders, ransacks, pillages
Example: "The nation's top military officer, Mike Mullen, opposed Democrats who reject sending additional combat troops to Afghanistan, telling Congress that success would probably require more fighting forces, and certainly much more time, especially against isolated mountain marauders."
Example: "The nation's top military officer, Mike Mullen, opposed Democrats who reject sending additional combat troops to Afghanistan, telling Congress that success would probably require more fighting forces, and certainly much more time, especially against isolated mountain marauders."
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Word for Today - Sept 15, 2009
stolid - STALL-id - showing little emotion, impassive, phlegmatic
Example: "The most amazing role played by Patrick Swazey, who died yesterday at 57, was as a stolid homosexual dancer in the Aussie film 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.'"
Example: "The most amazing role played by Patrick Swazey, who died yesterday at 57, was as a stolid homosexual dancer in the Aussie film 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.'"
Monday, September 14, 2009
Word for Today - Sept 14, 2009
mitigate - MIT-ih-GATE - to lessen the effect or severity of something; to lessen, alleviate, allay, diminish, blunt
Example: "According to today's news, drain water that used to go unwanted and created a wetland in the Mexican desert, is now being considered to mitigate the Southwest's water shortage. "
Example: "According to today's news, drain water that used to go unwanted and created a wetland in the Mexican desert, is now being considered to mitigate the Southwest's water shortage. "
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Word for Today - Sept 13, 2009
cataclysm - KAT-uh-KLISM - disaster, upheaval, catastrophe, devastation, debacle
Example: "The NY Times made the following comment: 'One year after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, there is little change on Wall Street from that cataclysm; the surprise is not how much has changed in the financial industry, but how little.'"
Example: "The NY Times made the following comment: 'One year after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, there is little change on Wall Street from that cataclysm; the surprise is not how much has changed in the financial industry, but how little.'"
Friday, September 11, 2009
Word for Today - Sept 12, 2009
inflammatory - in-FLAM-uh-TOW-ree - provocative, inciting, instigative
Dave Letterman's response to Rep. Wilson's inflammatory cry ("You lie!") heard round the world was: '...and I thought, OK, so now Gov. Mark Sanford is the second most embarrassing politician from South Carolina.'"
Dave Letterman's response to Rep. Wilson's inflammatory cry ("You lie!") heard round the world was: '...and I thought, OK, so now Gov. Mark Sanford is the second most embarrassing politician from South Carolina.'"
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Word for Today - Sept 10, 2009
vitriolic - VIT-ree-ALL-ik - sarcastic, caustic, disdainful
Example: Regarding negative reactions to the president's health care proposal, satirist Brian Unger wrote the vitriolic summary, "A lot of us are a combination of these things: too busy, lazy, a bit stupid perhaps, lucky, unsympathetic, in-denial, really rich, hypocritical, selfish - and patriotic."
Example: Regarding negative reactions to the president's health care proposal, satirist Brian Unger wrote the vitriolic summary, "A lot of us are a combination of these things: too busy, lazy, a bit stupid perhaps, lucky, unsympathetic, in-denial, really rich, hypocritical, selfish - and patriotic."
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Word for Today - Sept 9, 2009
revile - ree-VYL - disparage, vilify, upbraid, jump down one's throat, curse
Example: "Argentine activist Eduardo Galiano, revered by some, reviled by others, once said, "Those killed in wars are always the poor," and, "Being rich is being a crook."
Example: "Argentine activist Eduardo Galiano, revered by some, reviled by others, once said, "Those killed in wars are always the poor," and, "Being rich is being a crook."
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Word for Today - Sept 8, 2009
assuage - uh-SWAY - to relieve, to soothe, to ease
Example: "In order to assuage the conservative extremists who fear propaganda in his speech to school children today, President Obama has handed out copies of the speech which, as it turned out, contained no political propaganda."
Example: "In order to assuage the conservative extremists who fear propaganda in his speech to school children today, President Obama has handed out copies of the speech which, as it turned out, contained no political propaganda."
Monday, September 7, 2009
Word for Today - Sept 7, 2009
moribund - MORE-ih-BUND - weak unto the point of death
Example: "The NY Times asks this question of our president: Can he soothe discontent with an economy that appears to have bottomed out but remains moribund?"
Example: "The NY Times asks this question of our president: Can he soothe discontent with an economy that appears to have bottomed out but remains moribund?"
Friday, September 4, 2009
Word for Today - Sept 3, 2009
prescribe - pre-SCRIBE - to advocate, ordain, recommend
Example: "Recalling the vicious attacks by the right wing & insurance companies on then President Clinton's 1993 health plan, which destroyed it, Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, said today that Mr. Obama would be 'more strongly prescriptive than he has been to date,' adding, 'and we have a tremendous amount of consensus in Congress to build off of.'"
Example: "Recalling the vicious attacks by the right wing & insurance companies on then President Clinton's 1993 health plan, which destroyed it, Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, said today that Mr. Obama would be 'more strongly prescriptive than he has been to date,' adding, 'and we have a tremendous amount of consensus in Congress to build off of.'"
Word for Today - Sept 4, 2009
proscribe - PRO-SCRIBE - to ban or prohibit something that is considered undesirable, usually by authorities
Example: "Government proclamations on safety have unanimously proscribed the use of electronic devices while driving."
Example: "Government proclamations on safety have unanimously proscribed the use of electronic devices while driving."
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Word for Today - Sept 2, 2009
obtuse - ub-TYOUS - dull, slow, pea-brained, vapid, vacuous
Example: "The story featured a pair of contrasting personalities; one was sharp & quick-witted, the other obtuse to the extreme."
Example: "The story featured a pair of contrasting personalities; one was sharp & quick-witted, the other obtuse to the extreme."
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