Word of the day May 1
 

The Word of the Day for May 1 is:

jawboning • \JAW-boh-ning\ • (noun) the use of public appeals (as by a president) to influence the actions especially of business and labor leaders; broadly, the use of spoken persuasion

A little more information about today’s word:
In the late 1800s, the noun "jawbone" meant "credit" (as in "his money's gone, so he lives on jawbone"). By the mid-1950s, people were writing about "jawbone control" (in reference to regulations intended to make people cautious), and by 1966 the verb "to jawbone" (meaning "to talk about to gain some end") was appearing regularly in the media. The noun "jawboning" made its print debut in 1969. All of these uses were likely influenced by the verb "jaw," which has long been used with the meanings "to talk" or "to scold."

My sentence:
The governor was reluctant to intervene directly in the strike, so he resorted to jawboning, urging both sides to return to the bargaining table with warnings and rhetoric.

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

Huey Long was a master at the art of jawboning.

Even an excessive amount of jawboning would not have saved Nixon.

My jawboning set him up, it was the right cross that knocked him out.

My favourite activity on weekends used to be going to nightclubs and jawboning to the female populace.

Even after all of his jawboning, he still couldn't get the job.

With no weapons of mass destruction found, President Bush will rely on jawboning to world leaders in tonite's primetime address.

After a jawboning his wife,the man did accept her request for a facial.

I listen to talk radio - so I hear jawboning all day.

My opium dealer in the east end won't give me Jawbone , so I've had to prostitute myself to a bunch of jawboning Judges.

Get Rich Quick! (only 299.95)
Jawbone the gullable.

We call it May Day (play on words) over here in England, so, I refuse to say jawboning, however, I will say May Day!

World Workers, whatever may bind ye,
This day let your work be undone:
Cast the clouds of the winter behind ye,
And come forth and be glad in the sun.

Now again while the green earth rejoices
In the bud and the blossom of May
Lift your hearts up again, and your voices,
And keep merry the World's Labour Day.

Let the winds lift your banners from far lands
With a message of strife and of hope:
Raise the Maypole aloft with its garlands
That gathers your cause in its scope.

It is writ on each ribbon that flies
That flutters from fair Freedom's heart:
If still far be the crown and the prize
In its winning may each take a part.

Your cause is the hope of the world,
In your strife is the life of the race,
The workers' flag Freedom unfurled
Is the veil of the bright future's face.

Be ye many or few drawn together,
Let your message be clear on this day;
Be ye birds of the spring, of one feather
In this--that ye sing on May-Day.

Of the new life that still lieth hidden,
Though its shadow is cast before;
The new birth of hope that unbidden
Surely comes, as the sea to the shore.

Stand fast, then, Oh Workers, your ground,
Together pull, strong and united:
Link your hands like a chain the world round,
If you will that your hopes be requited.

When the World's Workers, sisters and brothers,
Shall build, in the new coming years,
A lair house of life--not for others,
For the earth and its fulness is theirs.

---

How's that for a little combat to the endless jawboning?

Word of the day May 2
 

The Word of the Day for May 2 is:

commemorate • \kuh-MEH-muh-rayt\ • (verb) 1. to call to remembrance; 2a. to mark by some ceremony or observation; observe; 2b. to serve as a memorial of

A little more information about today’s word:
When you remember something, you are mindful of it. It's appropriate, therefore, that "commemorate" and other related memory-associated words (including "memorable," "memorial," "remember," and "memory" itself) come from the Latin root "memor," meaning "mindful." Some distant older relatives are Old English "gemimor" ("well-known"), Greek "mermera" ("care"), and Sanskrit "smarati" ("he remembers"). English speakers have been marking the memory of important events with "commemorate" since the late 16th century.

My sentence (using definition #2a):
The children in Mrs. Clark's sixth-grade class have made a memorial quilt to commemorate the events of September 11, 2001.

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

Why would anyone want to commemorate the day of their birth?

Commemorate now and have some hot chocolate and warm up for a while, you can play later.

They are currently in the planning stages for the building of a monument to commemorate the victims of 9/11/2003.

I believe i will commemorate the end of this mornings second cup of coffee by staring at Jadzia's tits.

Today is my birthday, I intend to commemorate it by spending hours on TFP!

today I got a job; need to comemorate it by telling anyone I know! :)

Years from now, I will commemorate this day as the day after I got that amazing $1 raise at work.

As soon as the semester ends, I will commemorate the next day by sleeping late.

Today we all commemorate Jadzia's Word of the Day.

I commeorate yesterday's word of the day by having a big party.

Today Northampton commemorates flag day.. no, i mean P r i d e Day.
It just goes to show how time's have changed: Pride used to cometh before a fall, and now it cometh before the summer.

I never liked debate in high school; it was always a perpetual jawboning session.

There are some days I commemorate certain things in private.

I commemorated my birthday today.

(perfect word for today)

correct me if i'm wrong...
but didn't Samson kill heaps of philistines with the JAW-BONE of an ass?

also...

Warning!
excessive jawboning may cause saw throat.

Word of the day May 5
 

The Word of the Day for May 5 is:

manqué • \mahn-KAY\ • (adjective) short of or frustrated in the fulfillment of one's aspirations or talents -- used postpositively

A little more information about today’s word:
The etymology of "manqué" is likely to vex left-handers. English speakers picked up "manqué" directly from French more than two centuries ago, and it ultimately comes from Latin "manco," meaning "having either hand crippled." But in between the Latin and French portions of this word's history came the Italian word "manco," which means both "lacking" and "left-handed." Lefties may be further displeased to learn that "manqué" isn't the only English word with a history that links left-handedness with something undesirable. For example, the word "awkward" comes from "awke," a Middle English word meaning both "turned the wrong way" and "left-handed." And the noun "gawk" ("a clumsy stupid person") probably comes from an English dialect "gawk" meaning "left-handed."

My sentence:
"It was Benjamin Franklin, a natural scientist manqué if ever there was one, who observed that 'in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.'"
-- Will Self, New Statesman, November 27, 1998

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

We came all the way to the San Diego Zoo to see the gorillas, but there was nothing visible outside except an irritating little manque.

The Internet is filled with many folks who are genius manques.

Even with his success with the 'Sherlock Holmes' was a manque at the historical romance novel.

Many of the most well known names in the art world have been artists manqué in their lifetime, but gained recognition after death.

For those of you who know french:
<i>Je te <b>manque</b></i>

Translation, for those of you who don't:
<i>I am your monkey</i>

A very select number of people with stupid sense of humors like me will find this funny.

Word of the day May 6
 

The Word of the Day for May 6 is:

cap-a-pie • \kap-uh-PEE\ • (adverb) from head to foot

A little more information about today’s word:
Think of a medieval knight riding off to battle completely encased (from head to foot, as it were) in armor. Knights thus outfitted were said to be "armed cap-a-pie." The term "cap-a-pie" descends from the Middle French phrase "de cap a pé," which translates as "from head to foot," and it has been used in English since at least the 16th century. Nowadays, it is generally extended to more figurative armor, as in "armed cap-a-pie against criticism." By the way, "cap-a-pie" has been credited with parenting another English phrase. Some people think the expression "apple-pie order," meaning "perfect order," may have originated as a corruption of "cap-a-pie order." The evidence for that theory is far from orderly, however, and it must be regarded as speculative.

My sentence:
Kelsie arrived at the trailhead fitted out cap-a-pie in high-tech hiking gear, from the hood of her water-repellent jacket down to her polypropylene socks.

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

To go to the awards dinner I dressed cap-a-pie
in my best best hat, suit, tie, and shoes.

In the South American Soccer League, just to recap-a-pienalty kick by Brazil beat Peru in the waning minutes.

I can't imagine ever using that one. Thank you for bringing it up, though.

Festooned cap-a-pie, the Mummers parade through Philly every New Year.

After the accident, Jim was in a cast that was cap-a-pie.

Having fallen into the pig sty, Tim emerged cap-a-pie in a rust-colored mud.

Todays word is hard, yesterdays was hardest. My head hurts.

The rolling clouds provided shaded cap-a-pie from the hot sun.

After sleeping with the Nasty chick, Fred had cysts, sores and blisters cap-a-pie.

hmm...

Have faith... some are easy, some are hard...
That's why I am the Word Mistress ;)

I think I'll wear a cap-a-pie costume this halloween as I shall probably be warmer that way.

While tanning, Jack drenched Jill cap-a-pie with ice-cold water.

Word of the day May 7
 

The Word of the Day for May 7 is:

zeroth • \ZEE-roath\ • (adjective) being numbered zero in a series; also - of, relating to, or being a zero

A little more information about today’s word:
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to use "zeroth," but the word, which was coined by physicists a little over a hundred years ago, does often show up in scientific contexts. (It comes from "zero," which is itself from Arabic "sifr.") Renowned Soviet physicist Lev Landau had a little fun with "zeroth" when he classified all the famous physicists according to the relative value of their contributions to science. He put Niels Bohr and Max Planck, for example, right up there in the first class, and lesser-rated physicists in the second through fifth classes. Where did he think Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton belonged? They were unmatched, he felt, and they went in the category that superseded the first—his zeroth class.

My sentence:
"A fundamental scientific law, known as the zeroth law of thermodynamics, says that nothing can ever be cooled down to absolute zero."
-- Roger Highfield, Hamilton Spectator [Canada], August 9, 1997

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

In some sections of space there is zeroth gravity.

For some, the zeroth level means the most fundamental rather than the least significant.

It's not often that you see a nonzero value as the zeroth term in an infinite series.

The raging storm was so severe that the zeroth way above the level of the bow and threatened to put us into extreme jeopardy.

Although Crazboos was seen as a geek, his zeroth approach to studying lead him to graduate Summa Cum Laude.

I want the zeroth edition of the Superman series, as that would be the beginning sketches of a great hero.

Word of the day May 8
 

The Word of the Day for May 8 is:

wangle • \WANG-gul\ • (verb) intransitive sense: to resort to trickery or devious methods; transitive senses: 1. to adjust or manipulate for personal or fraudulent ends; 2. to make or get by devious means; finagle

A little more information about today’s word:
"Wangle," a verb of uncertain origin, has been used in the sense "to obtain by sly methods" since at least the early 20th century. Occasionally, one sees "wrangle" used similarly, as in "wrangle a huge salary." "Wrangle" more typically means "to argue or engage in controversy." Did its "obtain" sense evolve through confusion with "wangle"? Not exactly. "Wrangle" was used with the meaning "to obtain by arguing or bargaining" as early as 1624, long before "wangle" appeared in the language. The sense had all but disappeared until recent decades, however, and its revival may very well have been influenced by "wangle." The "obtain" sense of "wangle" is currently more common than that of "wrangle," but both are considered standard.

My sentence (using definition #2 transitive):
Steve didn't tell Sharon how he'd wangled an extra week of vacation, nor did she care, as long as it meant they could go to Italy for their honeymoon.

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

The old man was well known for being able to wangle the best deals in town.

It was waining and Elmer Fudd was thowing wocks at wabbits and sea gulls, but he couldn’t hit one because he was thwoing at the wong wangle.

I seem to have WANGLED myself a moderator posistion. :)

After not doing his homework, Johnny tried to wangle his way out of trouble.

The two workment were trying to fit one pipe into another when one said to the other. "It is not going to fit if you angle it that way. No<b>w angle</b> it to the left another 45 degrees and you will be able to fit it in.

Sticky has tried to Wangle the word in a sentence.

Word of the day May 9
 

The Word of the Day for May 9 is:

disavow • \dih-suh-VOW ("OW" as in "cow")\ • (verb) 1. to deny responsibility for; repudiate; 2. to refuse to acknowledge; disclaim

A little more information about today’s word:
If you trace the etymology of "disavow" back through Middle English and Middle French to Old French, you'll arrive eventually at the prefix "des-" and the verb "avouer," meaning "to avow." The prefix "des-" in turn derives from the Latin prefix "dis-," meaning "apart." That Latin prefix plays a significant role in many Modern English words, including "disadvantage," "disappoint," and "disagree."

My sentence (using definition #2):
Naturally, the suspects all disavowed having any knowledge of the crime, claiming they had been far from the scene and had not seen or heard anything.

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

To divorce is to disavow one's marriage.

The young scoundrel disavowed knowing the young woman because she was pregnant.

Apparently Simon, three times, disavowed his friend Jesus when asked if he knew him...

After having his altered Louisville Slugger taken by the home-plate umpire, Albert Belle disavowed knowledge of having a 'corked' bat replaced by an uncorked one.

I disavowed any knowlege of what happened to that last beer.

Is disavow? I said I wanted a consonant!

Remember Jim, if you or any member of your IM for is cought or captured, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your mission.

After hitting another car, the man disavowed his responsibility for the accident.

Okay now THAT was funny!

I'm happy to secretly admire the avatar, but openly would disavow ever having seen it

Word of the day May 12
 

The Word of the Day for May 12 is:

ubiquitous • \yoo-BIH-kwuh-tuss\ • (adjective) existing or being everywhere at the same time; constantly encountered; widespread

A little more information about today’s word:
"Ubiquitous" comes to us from the noun "ubiquity," meaning "presence everywhere or in many places simultaneously." "Ubiquity" first appeared in print in the late 16th century, but "ubiquitous" didn’t make an appearance until 1837. (A second noun form, "ubiquitousness," arrived around 1874.) Both words are ultimately derived from the Latin word for "everywhere," which is "ubique." "Ubiquitous," which has often been used with a touch of exaggeration for things and people that seem to turn up everywhere, has now become a more widespread and popular word than "ubiquity." It may not quite be ubiquitous, but if you keep your eyes and ears open, you’re apt to encounter the word "ubiquitous" quite a bit.

My sentence:
"I liked that song when I first heard it," said Kayla, "but it’s so ubiquitous now that it’s beginning to annoy me."

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

It is a belief that God is ubiquitous, but it's a fact that Jehovah's Witnesses are.

McDonald's restaurants seem to be ubiquitous through out the United States.

As they warmed themselves around the campfire, the leader warned the nomad with only one match:”Ubiquitous, or die."

Do not step out of line in your posts on the TFP. The mods here are ubiquitous

I hate it when people expect me to be ubiquitous, doing ten things at once already and having one more thing to do.

The perfume that little old ladies with blue hair soak themselves in is quite ubiquitous.

My AIM sn is kindaubiquitous.

One supposed aspect of god is ubiquitousness.

Ugly is an ubiquitous quality when you live in the desert

How can morons be so ubiquitous; I can't turn around without seeing another one

Bathrooms are only ubiquitous when you do not need one.

lol good word

They are Ubiquitous, yet untouchable.

Word of the day May 13
 

The Word of the Day for May 13 is:

meshuggener • \muh-SHOO-guh-ner ("OO" as in "foot," not as in "boot")\ • (noun) a foolish or crazy person

A little more information about today’s word:
From "bagel" and "chutzpah" to "shtick" and "yenta," Yiddish has given English many a colorful term over the years. "Meshuggener" is another example of what happens when English interprets that rich Jewish language. "Meshuggener" comes from the Yiddish "meshugener," which in turn derives from "meshuge," an adjective that is synonymous with "crazy" or "foolish." English speakers have used the adjective form, "meshuga" or "meshugge," to mean "foolish" since the late 1800s; we've dubbed foolish folk "meshuggeners" since at least 1900.

My sentence:
"Don't be a meshuggener, David," said Ilene. "Even an idiot would realize that salesman is just trying to take advantage of you with a bogus offer."

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

Love has a way of making even the most level headed person a bit meshuggener.

That place is a meshuggener's paradise.

When we move, meshuggener miss my best friend, but I won’t miss that big bully!

If these fucking classes don't end soon, I'm going to be a meshuggener.

My word 4 tha day?

SLEEP!

I once saw a product called "Meshuggener Nuts".....cute, if you grew up with old Jewish grandparents. I wish I took better notes when they were around.....some of the sayings were priceless and just don't work as well in English.

These meshugge kids today. Oye! And the noise they listen to! They should have all their teeth out but one so they can have a toothache, god forbid.

Word of the day May 14
 

The Word of the Day for May 14 is:

widow's cruse • \WIH-dohz-KROOZ or WIH-dohz-KROOSS\ • (noun) an inexhaustible supply

A little more information about today’s word:
A cruse is a small metal hanging lamp, such as the one featured in the biblical tale of Elijah (1 Kings 17:8-16). In that story, the prophet was sent to a poor widow who had little food and only a single cruse for light. He asked her to share her food and light with him; she did, and was rewarded with an ever-burning lamp and an inexhaustible food supply. The term "widow's cruse" recalls the bountiful outcome of that tale.

My sentence:
It often seemed to Connie that her sons thought of the refrigerator as a widow's cruse of food that would magically restock itself every week.

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

2 words... surely?

I'm off to pedants corner people, anyone alopng for the ride? It's a wild one!!!

When using my new screwdriver, it’s the widow’s cruse that give me the hardest time.

Now I know the phrase "widow's cruse" refers to the phrase "Elijah's oil"!

Too many Alaskan's thought the North Slope was a widow's cruse of oil and were surprised when the jobs & money started to dry up.