Monday, January 8, 2018
Greetings Infomaniacs,
They say if you give a billion monkeys a billion typewriters and give them enough time, eventually they would recreate the works of Shakespeare. Thanks to the Internet we know this isn't true. But it does go to illustrate just how vast and complex, and pretty fun language is.
Enjoy!
Questions? Comments?
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WHO SAID IT?
QUOTE: "Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say infinitely when you mean very; otherwise you'll have no words left when you want to talk about something really infinite."
HINT: (1898-1963), was a British novelist, poet, academic, medievalist, literary critic, essayist, lay theologian, broadcaster, lecturer, and Christian apologist.
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RANDOM TIDBITS
When two words are blended to form one - such as "bromance" or "mockumentary" - it's called a portmanteau or a portmanteau word. A portmanteau is also a type of suitcase that opens into two halves.
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"Hatriot" is used to describe an extremist member of a militia group, a person who greatly distrusts the current government, or a liberal who is always critical of the country. It is also used by football fans who don't like the team from New England.
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"Anticipointment" is a television and marketing term that was popular circa 1990, describing the feeling of consumers when a product is hyped but doesn't deliver.
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The word "gerrymander" was invented in 1812 to describe a legislative district whose contours were grossly manipulated to favor one side. One such district in Massachusetts resembled a salamander, and the governor at the time was Elbridge Gerry. Thus, gerrymandering had occurred.
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Without the cell phone, "approximeeting" wouldn't work. That's when you make plans to meet someone, but don't firm up the details until later, when you're on the move.
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A college student who dates only people in his or her residence hall commits "dormcest."
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WHO SAID IT?
QUOTE: "Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say infinitely when you mean very; otherwise you'll have no words left when you want to talk about something really infinite."
ANSWER: C.S. Lewis.