After a week of rain and dreary conditions, I’m ready for this normally evanescent weather to morph into some sunshine.

People who employ sophistry use facts, figures, and logic skills, so their conclusions must be correct, right?

Don’t worry about this one. You may not know this week’s vocabulary word, litotes, but the literary device is not uncommon.

Pumpernickel is a common type of bread, but the reason it qualifies for a Spectacular Vernacular segment is the etymology is a real gas.

Elisions can be formal and poetic or found in informal everyday speech, so I’m tryin’ to give examples in today’s vocabulary post.

Catercorner is an older version of a more common word that has a convoluted history to explain a modern meaning.

Even if you’ve known the name of these common security devices, did you know where the word comes from?

Warning: The week’s vocabulary explanation may not be quite as satisfying as you hope. In fact, it might leave you hankering for more.

I will confess that this word came to me when my attempt to enjoy a quiet meal in a restaurant failed due to a mammothrept.

The pronunciation of this word might surprise you, but that will help you understand its connection to its commonly used sibling.

The word itself is fun to say and use, but its etymological history is quite the kerfuffle which makes it that much more fun.

I promise not to post a long-winded complaint about this week’s spectacular vernacular despite its ancient etymology—jeremiad.