Posted on 02/09/2012 4:45:34 AM PST by secret garden
In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".
cacography \ka-KAH-gruh-fee\ noun
1. bad spelling
2. bad handwriting
Example sentences:
The letter was marred by cacography and poor punctuation, among other flaws.
"I sprang out of the car, sensing that I was different, and that I had only begun to comprehend the enigmas underlying mankind and cacography."
-- From Jeff Deck's 2011 book The Great Typo Hunt: Two Friends Changing the World, One Correction at a Time
Etymology:
In its earliest use in the 16th century, "cacography" meant not "incorrect spelling" but "a bad system of spelling." Today people worry about misspelling words, but back then there was little need for such concern. English spelling was far from standardized; people spelled words any way that made sense to them. Not every one was happy with such laxity, however, and over the coming centuries spelling reformers pressed for regularization. Some reformers thought spelling should reflect the etymological background of words; others thought words should be spelled the way they sound. And of course, everyone believed his or her own way of spelling was the best. Our present inconsistent system was arrived at over time. Today "cacography" usually suggests deviation from the established standards.
The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-)
Practice makes perfect.....post on....
Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02: Raffish (Be SURE to check out posts #92 and #111 on this thread!)
Review Thread Two: Word For The Day, Tuesday 1/14/03: Roister
Review Thread Three: Word For The Day, Tuesday 1/28/03: Obdurate
WFB's attempt to emulate us ; ) No pushing at the door please!
Occasional cacography is a very minor sin as opposed to ushering in a kakistocracy...
BTW, did you note James Patrick’s debut as Sabres’ head coach last night vs. the Bruins while Ruff was in “solidarity” with the players?
There are nothing if not CONSISTENTLY HYPOCRITICAL.
“Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats”
the SU game last night was amazing. WOW.
just replied to you on yesterday’s thread. SU played POORLY. xshub said the Boehemian was as unhappy last night as he’s seen him, as if they’d LOST. No way should that have been a nailbiter. xsboy went to the game after hockey practice and texted me a pic of the 27,000 in the Dome.
Didn’t see the whole game, got home early evening, by the time DH put the game on it was in overtime...that was all we saw. Glad xsboy was there to cheer them on, sounds like they needed it.
Yes, Ace of Spades blog is a daily must read.
Cacography.
Consulting the Big Book of Milo’s Profound and Prolost Thoughts:
The etmylogic of cacography is disolved into two propinquities, one being caco as in cackle as in chickens.
The other filariform being graphy, as in graphite as in pencils.
Compound hydrolyzing the two gives chicken scatching as in bad writing.
(see the main article, An Aliquot is O.K., But I’d Rather Have a Pint)
We pretty much self-police our own area but a little help is sometimes needed.
And after college, handwriting is limited to signing cards or documents. It’s a lost art in adulthood.
That’s “cacophagy.”
so what holiday is it down there today?
But thanks; now if I hear one of the above use it, I'll know what the heck he's talking about without MY Thesaurus!
8^)
No holiday today. Just the typical do-nothing, not-ready-to-start day.
how long do you expect to be there? you’ve already been there for quite a bit already? still haven’t started?
There ain’t no such thing as being over edumacated! ; )
I don’t know. I have a thing in Houston the last week of the month. I’d like to be home before that.
We were supposed to be ready to start on Tuesday, but the client decided he wanted to fix some leaks while we were down. Leaks that have been apparent for years, I am sure. There is no shortage of wasted steam billowing out from all over the place.
Supposedly tomorrow will be the day. We will see.
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