Posted on 07/10/2014 5:16:40 AM PDT 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".
epenthesis \ih-PEN-thuh-sis\noun
the insertion or development of a sound or letter in the body of a word.
Example sentences:
The "b" in the adjective "nimble" is the result of epenthesis; in Middle English, the word was spelled "nimel."
"When Yogi Bear talks about swiping 'pick-a-nick' baskets in Jellystone Park, it sounds as if he's just having fun, but he's also demonstrating 'epenthesis,' inserting a vowel to avoid the consonants bumping up against each other."
— Ruth Walker,The Christian Science Monitor, August 15, 2012
Etymology:
If you say "film" as "FIL-um," with two syllables, you've committed epenthesis. It isn't a punishable offense—in fact, it's not an offense at all. It is simply a natural way to break up an awkward cluster of consonants. It's easier for some people to say "film" as two syllables instead of one, just as it's easier for some to insert a "b" sound into "cummerbund," pronouncing that word as "CUM-ber-bund.” From Late Latin from Greek, from epentithenai to insert, from epi- + en- ² + tithenai to place] and from Greek thésis a setting down, something set down, equivalent to the- (stem of tithénai to put, set down) + -sis -sis
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
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!
Did that jewel a ree contain any alu min ium?
Just the tiniest bit of bright shiny a-lumina-minimum ....
They pronounced it that way three times on 24 this week. It was jaw-dropping, because it was by the joint chief and the president.
But you got better. Welcome to WFTD!
Well done. A+ for you!
Remember how he couldn’t even name the three branches of government? Good job, Harvard Law, passing someone that stupid. A+ for you!
Someone get that man a Gilette.
Spoken like a true verbal ath-a-lete. Extra credit noted.
well isn’t that how W pronounced it [and was made fun of for it]?
Doesn’t Neil have him on often? he’s a goofball, but can be funny.
Yes, lots of people pronounce it that way so I thought it was a funny nod to him, that it’s obvious what he is talking about so why hammer him on the pronunciation? If we’re using that word, we have bigger fish to fry!
Is that a legitiment* word ??
(* oft-heard verbal "liniment" ;)
Yes, you might say it’s legit. 2 legit, 2 legit to quit!!
Also, A for you!
I go to school to learn words like epenthesis — also reading, writing, & arith-i-ma-tics.
Very graciuous of you ;!
A for you!
very cool. soother prob even recognizes the movies the clips are from. The only one I recognize is the Night of the Living Dead. What was Hermione in that was filmed in pgh?
We need more little afternoon showers like yesterday, so
fingers crossed-
With his practical epenthesis,
AT least Bush would have tried
To undo congressional messes
Instead of running to hide
He wouldn’t have gone nu-cu-ler
But he’d know what it takes
To come up with a strategery
For even his own mistakes
Obama just plays pool and golf
And does fund raisers at night-
Fifteen thousand bucks a plate
While hiding in plain sight...
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