Spectacular Vernacular

Words amuse me. Many trace their origins back to the earliest languages in clear lineages. Others have evolved in fits and starts as people have twisted their meanings. Still others have been created in amusing ways.

My goal is to take what could be the dry topic of etymology and make it fun and entertaining with short vignettes on some spectacular vernacular.

Sidereal

February 28, 2024 |

Sidereal, a heavenly word that is perfect for a Leap Day. Bonus—it has math, science, and astronomy implications.

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Bunkum

Bunkum

January 16, 2024 |

Today’s spectacular vernacular contains no foolishness or claptrap. It’s all about bunkum with a local historical connection.

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Luthier

Luthier

September 17, 2023 |

When the job title luthier jumped out at me, I traveled down an etymology rabbit hole to learn more about this ancient word.

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cynophile or ailurophile

Cynophile or Ailurophile?

April 16, 2023 |

An essay penned by a cynophobic writer about cynophiles brought me to the interesting word ailurophile, so this post is going to the cats and dogs.

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Opusculum opuscula

Opusculum

March 19, 2023 |

Credit for this Spectacular Vernacular goes to the great Ian Fleming who described his literary contributions as opuscula.

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Polysyndeton and Asyndeton

Polysyndeton and Asyndeton

February 16, 2023 |

Polysyndeton and Asyndeton—Two words for the price of one this week. Isn’t that exciting and fun and interesting and educational?

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Hobnob

Hobnob

February 9, 2023 |

My use of hobnob in a conversation earlier this week left me wondering where the word comes from, so let me share what I found.

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Bafflegab

February 2, 2023 |

A horrid task, the annual income tax filing, looms over me as I struggle to comprehend governmental explanations filled with bafflegab.

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Marginalia

January 26, 2023 |

Remember back in your school days when you opened a text book to discover the previous owner scribbled some marginalia?

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Fissiparous

January 12, 2023 |

Ever wonder what the reproductive process of worms has in common with complex political alliances? Fissiparous is the answer.

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Decide

January 8, 2023 |

Why would I decide on such a simple word for this week’s Spectacular Vernacular? It’s the etymology that caught my attention.

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Feckless

December 29, 2022 |

Watching Asheville city leaders explain how 40,000 citizens can go without water for days raised my curiosity on the word feckless.

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