carbohydrate

Word of the Day

carbohydrate

Pronunciation /kɑːbəˈhʌɪdreɪt/
noun
1 Any of a large group of organic compounds occurring in foods and living tissues and including sugars, starch, and cellulose. They contain hydrogen and oxygen in the same ratio as water (2:1) and typically can be broken down to release energy in the animal body.
1.1 Food consisting of or containing a lot of carbohydrates.

Origin
Mid 19th century from carbo- + hydrate.

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Uncontrolled eating of carbohydrates is considered unwise by most experts. Of course, uncontrolled eating of any food probably unwise.

bouncebackability

Word of the Day

bouncebackability

Pronunciation /ˌbaʊnsbakəˈbɪlɪti/
noun
mass noun informal
(especially in sport) the capacity to recover quickly from a setback.

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Frank was known for bouncebackability. He routinely fell behind in any game he played. More often than not, he came back to win.

To, Two, Too Hard

When I spell
I’m not so swell,
But what the hell
On that, I will not dwell.

recoup

Word of the Day

recoup

Pronunciation /rɪˈkuːp/
verb
[with object]
1 Regain (something lost or expended)
1.1 Regain (money spent) through subsequent profits.
1.2 Reimburse or compensate (someone) for money spent or lost.
1.3 Law Deduct or keep back (part of a sum due)

Origin
Early 17th century (as a legal term): from French recouper ‘retrench, cut back’, from re- ‘back’ + couper ‘to cut’.

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The lost coins, he wished to recoup
So Joe tried to use a small scoop.
But the job was way too hard,
And it threw him for a loop.

deurmekaar

Word of the Day

deurmekaar

Pronunciation /ˌdjəːməˈkɑː/
adjective
informal South African predicative
In a state of muddle or confusion.

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In a Monday morning huddle
To guide the week ahead
But there’s a bit of muddle
And it’s deurmekaar days, instead.

dysphemism

Word of the Day

dysphemism

Pronunciation /ˈdɪsfɪmɪz(ə)m/ noun A derogatory or unpleasant term used instead of a pleasant or neutral one. The opposite of euphemism

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Sunday isn’t the day for dysphemisms. Perhaps no day of the week should be.

Sunday Haiku

sunrise in summer
should portend heat for the day
we’re getting fall temps

lackerband

Word of the Day

lackerband

Pronunciation /ˌlakəˈband/
noun
informal Australian
(especially in Victoria) a rubber band.

Origin
1970s an alteration of elastic band.

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Accepting a new word is sometimes a bit of a stretch for some of us. “Lackerband” is possibly one of those words.

[It might also be a stretch for you to see the illustration as a rubber band.]

devotee

Word of the Day

devotee

Pronunciation /ˌdevəˈtē/ /ˌdɛvəˈti/ /ˌdevəˈtā/ /ˌdɛvəˈteɪ/
noun
1 A person who is very interested in and enthusiastic about someone or something.
1.1 A strong believer in a particular religion or god.

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Stan is a devotee of sport, when played by others, at least.

reticulation

Word of the Day

reticulation

Pronunciation /rɪˌtɪkjʊˈleɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
1 mass noun A pattern or arrangement of interlacing lines resembling a net.
1.1 Photography The formation of a network of wrinkles or cracks in a photographic emulsion.
2 Australian, New Zealand A network of pipes used in irrigation and water supply.

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It was with great elation
That they began their celebration.
But since they were meeting online by network
It was just, in a sense, reticulation.