#1 Vocabulary Task
Here's one for you...
I'd like you to make a list of words you like or find useful and send them to me. That's it, that's the task. Take a day or a week. There's no word or time limit.
If you want some more context and to learn some obscure Scottish words, read on.
Between my students, friends and family, I'm creating a list of "Words you need to know" and I'd very much like your contribution.
As Norman Rockwell's 'Freedom of Speech' painting reminds us, your contribution counts.
Words that convey a lot of meaning or specificity, or maybe just you like the sound of them.
I've just received my first batch of words, from Stephen, my Scottish brother from a different mother.
I must admit, I'll be surprised if you found a way to use them in your next Zoom call.
1) Bafflegab - Confusing dribble
2) Bugbear - A needless fright or annoyance
3) Lollygag - To spend time idly
4) Mooch - To keep borrowing off people
5) Crabbit - Scottish slang for in a grumpy mood
These can go into the obscure section of the list... we'll call it the Hole of Curiosities.
Now I think about it, we're going to need a section for offensive words too.
I'll be interested to hear which words you find useful in your profession or interests, or the ones you couldn't live without. There are many reasons to like a word.
Feel free to provide a definition, example and/or a reason why you like them. Or just send them through.
Monika suggested the following two examples and they are pretty good ones.
Cheeky: Showing a lack of respect or politeness in a way that is amusing or appealing. Useful because it works in so many contexts: a cheeky comment, a cheeky glass of wine, a cheeky grin.
Succinct: It's more sophisticated than "specific" and sounds like what it means, unlike "concise".
Do you know what ChatGPT’s favourite word is?
Fluff, because it produces so much of it.
Do you want to know my favourite word?
Fancy.
Well, it's not my favourite but I use it a lot. "Fancy" is a highly versatile word that functions as an adjective or verb.
- Adjective. It most commonly means decorative, elaborate, or upscale. "That's a fancy tie, where did you get it?"
- Verb. To desire or want. "Do you fancy going to the cinema?" "He really fancies his new coworker"
These words are to challenge us too, so feel free to go after those words that push the boat out a little. A good example is “preface”. Meaning, an introductory section at the start of a book or speech that explains its purpose, how it was written, or the inspiration behind it. "I'd like to preface this by saying..."
It's one of those words that belongs in intellectual speeches, but not a word that you'd want to mispronounce. It's "preh·fuhs", not "pre-face".
Sit down with a book and pick out some words, or make a note of them when you stumble across them.
You can simply provide a list, or offer definitions, examples and reasons why you like them. You can send them to me or put them in a comment below.
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