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21 Days to a Bigger Vocabulary - Day 20
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horripilation
pronunciation: haw-rip-uh-lay-shun
definition: To have one's hair stand on end; to get goosebumps.
This is a fun word that sounds like a Jeff Foxworthy concoction, like pandelerium, We was frozen in horripilation when that ternader overcome us.
I absolutely horripilated when I saw the shoes Daniel Day Lewis wore with his tux to the Oscars.
21 Days to a Bigger Vocabulary - Day 19
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discalceate or discalced
pronunciation: dis-kal-see-it, dis-kalst
definition: removal of ones shoes, usually regarding certain religious orders
Here's a suggestion for those of you who have trouble with "drop-in" company: Post a sign on your door reading, "Welcome! All visitors to be discalced upon entry." Just see how many people decide it's probably better to call first.
Here's a riddle: What do you call a chicken who's lost her shoes?
Answer: A discalced fryer! HaHaHa! Get it? Fryer? discalced friar?
I crack myself up.
21 Days to a Bigger Vocabulary - Day 18
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lexiphanic
pronunciation: lecks-i-fan-ik
definition: using or interlarding with magniloquent, bombastic, perhaps euphuistic speech or writing.
Still confused? How about this: using pretentious words to impress people. Of course, our aim here at "21 Days to a Bigger vocabulary" is not to be impressive...just annoying.
21 Days to a Bigger Vocabulary - Day 17
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mumpsimus and sumpsimus
pronunciation: mump-suh-muhs and sump-suh-muhs
definition: Mumpsimus is a persistence in making the same mistake in speech or adherence to an erroneous practice or belief, out of habit or obstinacy, while sumpsimus is strict adherence to the correct term or practice, rejecting an erroneous but more common form or belief.
Example:**
"Mr. President, with all due respect, the word is pronounced noo-klee-ar, not noo-kyoo-ler."
"You talk your way, I'll talk mine."
"But, Sir, the American people question your abilities and, er, your intelligence."
"Listen, son, I didn't get a degree from Yale and become president of the most powerful country in the world by burying my nose in a dictionary. I'm not going to trade my mumpsimus for your sumpsimus."
** The preceding example is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of the characters herein to real persons, living or otherwise, is, well, intentional.
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