Your New Favorite Word

Jamis and Tessa reminisce a bit about previous favorite words. Jamis then talks about the history of “season”, and Tessa tells us about “snowclones”, or adaptable cliché frames.

Jamis and Tessa try something different this week: instead of sharing their new favorite words, they’re sharing their new favorite word games. Because words are fun! (Disclaimer: Jamis and Tessa are not affiliated with any of these game companies. They just like the games!)

From the annals of maritime law, Jamis salvages the history and meaning of flotsam and jetsam. Tessa travels a well-worn path, following last week’s exploration of “bromide”.

In an attempt to not be a “bromide”, Tessa shares what she learned about a humorist who left us an unexpected linguistic legacy. Then, Jamis discovers some delightful cousins of the word “hiatus”, guaranteed to not make you yawn, gape, or gawp.

Jamis finds a surprising number of English words with Turkish origins. A poem by Carl Sandberg inspires Tessa to delve into the linguistic and psychosocial connection between personalities and faces.

Tessa is introduced to some Scottish archaisms courtesy of a beloved Canadian author. Jamis explores the possible origins of a well-known magical incantation.

Jamis peeks into an archaic cupboard of forgotten vocabulary and comes up with a particularly delightful morsel. Tessa expounds on the egregious use of irony to completely change the meaning of words.

Tessa rapidly siezes the opportunity to uncover connections between words related to the idea of snatching. Jamis is boggled by the true pronunciation of “victual”, and goes in search of other words with surprising pronunciations.

Jamis learns the meaning of “math” in “aftermath”, and discovers surprising depth in a common preposition. Tessa investigates the linguistic history of Watergate and discovers some intriguing ties to China. (Gasp!)

Tessa, no nidget, digs into words related to cowardice, and discovers various farm animals hiding beneath the surface. Jamis revels in the galimaufry of synonyms for hodgepodge, and learns a new word for “leftovers”.