John Robertson:
I received your book on 6/26/00. Congratulations on a great book. You no doubt spent a great amount of time in research. I find the book fascinating.
It’s been over 45 years since I studied Latin and Greek in college and unless one keeps it up, one tends to forget. You have rekindled my interest. Now that I’m retired, I’ll have more time. I have always been interested in the origin of words especially from Latin and Greek.
Because the schools do not teach Latin and Greek as they once did, your book would be invaluable in helping students with the English language; thereby enriching their thought process. I am so happy that we still have people in this world who regard knowledge of Latin and Greek essential to scholarly development.
To quote Seneca, Jr. from your book: “Non scholae, sed vitae discimus.” Thank you for your “illusions” and also many thanks to your wife.
Jeffrey
Note from your editor: The “illusions” referred to the dedication in Words for a Modern Age, A Cross Reference of Latin and Greek Combining Elements in which I wrote: “Dedicated to my wife, who has been my sine qua non. She has kept me in good health with her loving concern for my well being and has rarely interfered with my efforts to strive for my ‘illusions.’ ”
The Latin quotation by Seneca, Jr. means: “We don’t learn just for school, but we learn for life.”.
Speaking of books. The following came from "The Spelling Newsletter" published by Ray Laurita, Leonardo Press, PO Box 1326, Camden, ME 04843.
After reading the following exchange which appeared in the Metropolitan Diary, I have a feeling that our readers will be equally dismayed:
Carol Ruth Langer stopped at the information desk of a Barnes & Noble in Midtown to inquire about a copy of the Book of Job.
"How would you be spelling 'Job'?" the clerk asked.
"J -- O -- B", Ms. Langer said.
"Job books are in the career section."
Ms. Langer tried again. "Not job, Job, a book in the Bible".
"Who is the author" the clerk asked.
At that point, Ms. Langer knew it was time to leave.
Additional words that exist that are derived from the Greek element tribo-: nanotribology, [no dictionary seems to be available that has a definition for this term.] The following definitions came from various sources on the internet.
First, on Thursday, January 21, 1999, there was the following information from Dr. Jacqueline Krim, Professor of Physics at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina:
“Thank you for your inquiry. Yes, I coined the term nanotribology in a paper I wrote in 1991, entitled, ‘Nanotribology of a Kr [krypton] monolayer: A Quartz Crystal Microbalance Study of Atomic-Scale Friction’, J. Krim, D. Solina and R. Chiarello, PRL, 66, (1991) p. 181-184.”
“I would define nanotribology as the sub-field of tribology involving contact geometries which are well-characterized at atomic length or time scales. These tend to be on the order of nanometers and nanoseconds.”
“JK”
Secondly, on Friday, January 22, 1999, I received another clarifying definition that I had requested from a contact I found on the internet.
I asked for a simple, easy to understand definition of “nanotribology” and this is what he sent to me:
“Tribology is the science and technology of two surfaces in relative motion which encompasses friction, wear, and lubrication. Nanotribology allows the study of friction and wear processes on nanoscale.”
Now you know what nanotribology means, don’t you? If you want to know more about nanotribology, here are excerpts of other definitions; but be WARNED that if they are too confusing or of no interest to you, you may scroll down to the area where other tribo- words are presented. Don’t give up before you see the rest of the list, please.
Micro/nanotribology as a field is concerned with experimental and theoretical investigations of processes ranging from atomic and molecular scales to the microscale, occurring during adhesion, friction, wear, and thin-film lubrication at sliding surfaces.
This involves determination of the chemical, physical and mechanical properties of the surfaces undergoing relative motion at length scales of the order of nanometers. Interaction between rubbing surfaces occurs at asperities [roughness of surfaces] at which the local pressure and temperatures can be very high.
These conditions can lead to formation of tribochemical films with the unusual properties necessary for efficient wear protection. The nanomechanical properties of these films are being investigated by interfacial force microscopy (IFM) which is capable of determining the elastic constants and anelastic behavior of the films in boundary layer lubrication.
Proposed nanotribology experiments for the Triboscope include studying the effect of different contact areas, scan directions and crystallographic orientations on both lubricated and unlubricated surfaces.
Tribology is the study of friction, lubrication and wear. Nanotribology is roughly defined as the study of these same phenomena down to the nN and nanometer force and length scales.
I hope I haven’t lost you in the sea of obfuscation (confusion, obscurity, or bewilderment) because there are other interesting words to learn. Here are additional examples that are derived from tribo-:
- triboelectric, an electrical charge produced by friction between two objects; such as, rubbing silk on a glass surface.
- triboelectricity, in physics, electrical charges produced by friction between two surfaces; static electricity.
- tribofluorescence, triboflurescent; to give off light as a result of friction.
- tribologist, a specialist in the science of tribology.
- tribology, tribological, the science of the mechanisms of friction, lubrication, and wear of interacting surfaces that are in relative motion.
- triboluminescence, the quality of emitting light under friction or violent mechanical pressure.
- triboluminescent, exhibiting triboluminescence.
- tribophosphorescence, tribophosphorescent; to produce light by friction.
- tribothermoluminescence, thermoluminescence [luminescence resulting from exposure to high temperature] produced in a material as a result of friction.
- tribometer, an instrument for estimating sliding friction.
- tribophysics, the physical properties or phenomena associated with friction.
- tribophosphoroscope, an instrument for examining triboluminescence.
- tribulation, originally from Greek; then through Latin, “to press; affliction”; distress, great trial, or affliction.
Frictional electricity … was supposedly known to the ancient Greeks, particularly Thales of Miletus, who observed about 600 B.C. that when amber was rubbed, it would attract small bits of matter. The term “frictional electricity” gave way to “triboelectricity,” although since “tribo” means “to rub,” the newer term does little to change the concept.
“The Roman tribulum was a sledge consisting of a wooden block studded with sharp pieces of flint or iron teeth. It was used to bring force and pressure against wheat in grinding out grain.
The machine suggested the way trouble grinds people down and oppresses them, tribulations becoming another word for troubles and afflictions. The word is first recorded in English in 1330.”.
The Romans ground out their corn [make that grain-J.R.] with a heavy roller, mentioned in Vergil’s Georgics among agricultural instruments: the tribulum, diminutive noun, from tritere, trit —, to rub, from Greek tribein, to rub. Being ground under and pressed out made an excellent metaphor to express the trials and tribulations of the early Christians.
“To know the origin of words is to know how men think, how they have fashioned their civilization. Word history traces the path of human fellowship, the bridges from mind to mind, from nation to nation.
“Some of the words in our language can be traced to a remote past; some have histories that begin but yesterday. Many are members of large families, with intertwining legend and history. Slow change, swift new coinage of science or slang, ancient or recent borrowing from many tongues: together they give flexibility, power, and beauty to English, the richest and most widespread language of all time.”
Lists of word histories including a wide variety of well-known English terms.
Lists of legal words referring to judiciary or trial courts.
An alphabetized listing of links to groups of English words in action as seen in sentences with short definitions.
Words are being added daily to expand your potential vocabulary for this modern age.
- Latin phrases you should know.
- News about the unusual.
- It’s [sic], but that’s the way it is.
- Lose/Loose, How [sic] Can It Be?
- Playing with Words.
- Quotes Worth Your Time.
- Auf Wiedersehen, English.
- Letters from Readers.
- Instructions for use of actual products. No kidding.
- Principal/Principle and mnemonic devices.
- More letters from readers.
- More Denglish.
- Words in the News.
- The Greek Element tribo- and Its Practical Commercial Applications.
- “Lawyer Idiocy” — Some Examples.
- Results of Previous Mnemonic Devices Survey.
- Responses to letters.
- Quid Novum? Erratum, Errata.
- Cyber-Legerdemain—Don’t miss this cyber magic!
- Let’s Use Pronouns Properly.
- Some Serious Considerations—Think about It!
- There are dictionaries and there are dictionaries.
- Did they say what I think they said?
- New Additions to the Search Areas
- Palindromes activity.
- Sesquipedalian Challenges.
- Logical Sequence Activity.
- Educational Sources.
- Golden-Oldies Poems.
- U.S. Teachers and cheating (many quotes from news sources).
- Reader responses to teachers and cheating.
- Did they really write those headlines?
- New words from old words.
- Dan Quayle and Groucho Marx Quotes.
- Political Quotes on Target.
- Information about the new international phobia.
- Sesquipedalian challenges with answers.
- An Obfuscation Chart for Creating Bureaucratic Jargon.
- Translating Politgabble
- Words poem.
Ponder These Quotations.
Lists of words used on old gravestones which used Latin terms.
Medical references as related to the body or anatomy.
English words that don't mean what they look like as they are often assumed to be.
Before you read this section about mnemonics, please STOP here NOW, and take a “pre-test” over the words that will be discussed. Even if you do well on this test, you may still come back for the presentation. So, please go to (click on) the Mnemonics "Seed" Quiz over -cede, -ceed, -sede words to see how well you can spell words that have the endings that are pronounced “seed”.
How to decide between -cede, -ceed, and -sede.
Problems: Is it supercede, superceed, or supersede? Is it accede or acceed? Is it proceed or preceed, and is it excede or exceed?
1. Of the twelve words, one, and only one, ends in the four letters -S-E-D-E. That one word is supersede
Supersede, is the only word in the entire English language that is spelled with the -sede ending.
Supersede was born in Rome thousands of years ago. It comes from Latin super, “above”, and sedeo, “to sit”.
If one thing supersedes another, it figuratively, and by derivation, “sits above or over it”; that is, “it replaces” something. An example: “The year 2000 will supersede 1999.”
Supersede is the only verb in English that derives directly from Latin sedeo, to sit, hence the only word with the -sede termination.
There are many nouns and adjectives that come indirectly from sedeo or one of its forms:
president, one who sits before a group;
sedentary, moving little, hence sitting, as in a sedentary occupation;
session, a sitting or meeting of a group of people;
sedate, calm, hence sitting still, etc.
2. There are three other unique words that you should learn, the three words that end in the letters -C-E-E-D: succeed, proceed, and exceed.
accede, to give consent; to become a party to an agreement or treaty.
antecede, to precede; that is, to come before in time or order.
cede, to surrender possession of formally or officially; to yield or grant, as by a treaty.
concede, 1. To acknowledge as true, just, or proper, often unwillingly; to admit by conceding the point. 2. To give or grant as a privilege or right.
intercede, to argue on another’s behalf; to act as a mediator in a dispute; to come between.
precede, to come before in time, in rank, or order.
recede, to move back or away from a limit, point, or mark.
secede, to withdraw formally from membership in an association, organization, or alliance, especially a political one.
Succeed starts with “s”.
Proceed starts with “p”, and means go ahead.
Exceed starts with “e”.
1. Any annoying doubt as to whether a word correctly ends in -ceed or -cede.
2. Any error in writing -cede for -ceed, or vice versa.
Speed ends in -eed.
The “s” of speed identifies succeed.
The “p” of speed identifies proceed.
The “e” of speed identifies exceed.
The ending of speed identifies the endings of all three words: succeed, proceed, exceed.
Finally, the word “ahead” in “Full Speed Ahead” identifies proceed, which means “go ahead”, and eliminates “precede”, which means “come before”.
Proceed, as you know, belongs to one of the three -ceed verbs, but the noun and adjective forms do not follow the same format. Contrary to what you might normally expect, these forms are spelled: procedure and procedural.
-sede.
Only one word in English ends in -sede, namely supersede.
Only three words in English end in -ceed, namely succeed, proceed, and exceed (mnemonic: Full speed Ahead).
All of the other words with a similar “seed” sound end in -cede.
Procedure and procedural; however, do not follow the pattern of proceed.
Now is a good time to test yourself.
Would you like to see if the mnemonic devices I have given to you function properly? If so, just click on this self-grading Mnemonics "Seed" Quiz again so you can re-take the -cede, -ceed, -sede words so you can see how easy it is to recognize the correct spelling of these words.
The Washington Post recently published a contest for readers in which they were asked to supply alternate meanings for various words. The following were some of the winning entries:
- Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.
- Carcinoma (n.), a valley in California, notable for its heavy smog.
- Esplanade (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk.
- Willy-nilly (adj.), impotent.
- Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained.
- Negligent (adj.), describes a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightie.
- Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp.
- Gargoyle (n.), an olive-flavored mouthwash.
- Coffee (n.), a person who is coughed upon.
- Flatulence (n.) the emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller.
- Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline.
- Semantics (n.), pranks conducted by young men studying for the priesthood, including such things as gluing the pages of the priest's prayer book together just before vespers.
- Circumvent (n.), the opening in the front of boxer shorts.
- Frisbatarianism (n.), The belief that, when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck there.
The Washington Post's Style Invitational also asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. Here are some recent winners:
- Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the reader who doesn't get it.
- Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
- Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very high.
- Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of obtaining sex.
- Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously.
- Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease.
- Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like a serious bummer.
- Glibido: All talk and no action.
- Dopeler effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.
- Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a refund from the IRS, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
Someone sent this to me without any additional source references. I thought you might enjoy the play on words.
The Washington Post’s “Style Invitational” asks readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. Here are some recent winners:
- Foreploy: any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of deceiving the opposite sex.
- Tatyr: a lecherous Mr. Potato Head.
- Doltergeist: a spirit that decides to haunt someplace stupid, such as your septic tank.
- Giraffiti: vandalism spray-painted very, very high, such as on an overpass.
- Sarchasm: the gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the recipient who doesn't get it.
- Contratemps: the resentment permanent workers feel toward the fill-in workers.
- Impotience: eager anticipation by men awaiting their Viagra prescription.
- Reintarnation: coming back to life as a hillbilly.
- Inoculatte: to take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
- Hipatitis: terminal coolness.
- Guillozine: a magazine for executioners.
- Suckotash: a dish consisting of corn, lima beans and tofu.
First, the results of the principal/principle survey
The spelling of many English words are confusing even to those whose first language is English.
There were 45 per cent of the subscribers on the Focusing on Words Newsletter list who responded to the survey.
- 1. The (principal/principle) reason for this discussion is to improve one’s spelling skills.
Of those responding, 68 per cent chose the right answer (principal).
- 2. All of us should live by certain moral (principals/principles).
Ninety-nine per cent chose the right answer (principles) in number two.
- 3. The (principal/principle) character in the play is ill.
In number three, eighty-two per cent chose the right answer (principal).
- 4. His political (principals/principles) are less than acceptable.
In number four, ninety-seven per cent chose the right answer (principles).
- 5. As a matter of (principal/principle), he refused to borrow money from anyone.
In number five, ninety-seven per cent chose the right answer (principle).
- 6. The (principal/principle) invested in that project was $100,000.
Of those participating, eighty-five per cent made the correct choice of (principal) in number six.
- 7. We must instill into the minds of our youth (principals/principles) of honesty and morality.
Ninety-seven per cent of participants indicated the right answer (principles) in the last number.
A few words about the use of mnemonic devices that make it easier to remember how to spell certain words correctly.
Although many subscribers had different mnemonic devices for determining which principal/principle to use in a sentence, the best mnemonics to use seem to be “main” for principal and “rule” for principle.
Note the relationship of the “a” in main and principal and the “le” in rule and principle. Always make these relationships and you will always use them correctly.
Mnemonic [nee MAH nik], as in mnemonic device, comes from the Greek element that means, “memory” or “to remember” and refers to a technique that facilitates making the right choices for words that are otherwise confusing.
Whenever you want to make sure you have chosen the correct principal/principle, substitute the words main and rule in place of one or the other principal/principle, to see if it makes sense and when it does; it is certain that you have the right choice. For example, in number one, you could say, “The rule reason for this discussion ....” or say, “The main reason for this discussion ....” and you would logically have to choose main or “principal” because the other choice simply doesn’t make any sense.
So many people have used the mnemonic device of saying, “You spell the principal of the school with pal because he/she is your pal” or something similar to that. I strongly urge that you NOT use this mnemonic because it can be very misleading. It tends to make people think that the use of pal is used only with that particular principal. It is far better to say that the principal of the school is spelled with pal because he/she is the MAIN administrator, teacher, or educator of the school.
Did you notice the erratum in sentence number seven of the survey. Mea culpa. I used “install” instead of “instill into the minds ....”
Congratulations to nine subscribers (out of the 412 who participated) who saw and told me about this error (erratum). If there had been more than one erratum, then I would have had to confess to errata.
Thank you, if you were one of those who contributed to the survey. It was amazing to see that MOST of the participants made no errata in their submissions. I apparently have a VERY knowledgeable list of subscribers!
Lists of words being used in news media headlines, subheadings, and excerpts from applicable articles.
In the December 28, 1998, issue of the International Herald Tribune in the William Safire column called, "Language", he wrote: "Now to the alleged mistake that drew the most mail. In a line about the pronunciation of status, I wrote, 'That is usually pronounced STAT-us, as in statistics, by the highfalutin, and STATE-us by the hoi polloi.' "
"From Jim Tart of Dallas: 'My daughter Katie tells me that her eighth-grade teacher would have smacked her in the head with her grammar book had she said 'the hoi polloi'. Katie says hoi polloi means "the masses", and therefore should never be proceeded by the. Live by the sword and die by the sword."
Thank you, Mr. Tart. (And when Katie comes by with her spelling book opened to preceded, watch your head.)
Words
There are words that make us
Shudder, wince:
Wormwood, persimmon,
Alum, quince.
There are words that soothe
And tranquilize:
Slumbering, rainbows,
Butterflies.
There are words that tighten,
Words that roil:
Tension, turmoil,
Chaos, spoil.
There are words that shimmer,
That beguile:
Stars, ships, peacocks,
Firelight, smile.
And always, words
That make life full:
Love, laughter, home,
Peace, beautiful.
—E.B. de Vito
Phrases of words that describe the term war:
- armed conflict
- warfare
- hostilities
- military operations
- clash of arms
- combat
- military attacks
- battle with opponents
- take up arms
Lists of groups about Words Used in Printed Media Headings as seen in various media publications.