Word of the Day. Post it Here

hal·cy·on
/ˈhalsēən/
adjective
  1. denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful.
    "the halcyon days of the mid-1980s, when profits were soaring"

    Similar:
    serene

    calm

    pleasant

    balmy

    tranquil

    peaceful

    temperate

    mild

    quiet

    gentle

    placid

    still

    windless
    stormless
    happy

    carefree

    blissful

    golden

    joyful

    joyous

    contented

    idyllic

    palmy

    flourishing

    thriving

    prosperous

    successful


    Opposite:
    stormy

    troubled

noun
  1. 1.
    a tropical Asian and African kingfisher with brightly colored plumage.

  2. 2.
    a mythical bird said by ancient writers to breed in a nest floating at sea at the winter solstice, charming the wind and waves into calm.
 
I've been pondering today, the usage of ''in spite of'' vs. ''despite.''

Despite and in spite of are both prepositions meaning “regardless of,” “even though,” or “notwithstanding.” They can be used interchangeably.

  • Despite is always written as one word.
  • In spite of is always written as three words.
Personally, I like to use ''despite'' more often.
 
Fairly
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/fairly

One meaning is "Quite"
Another is "with emphasis"

So ,if I was to say someone was "fairly knackered" it would be ambiguous without the context. ie "quite knackered" or "really knackered"

Personally in the latter case I would emphasize the adjective and would not in the former.

I don't know if others would follow this method of distinguishing between the usages in spoken speech

"Fairly" can also mean "in a fair way"
 
Iatrogenesis
Iatrogenesis is defined as any injury or illness that occurs as a result of medical care (Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary 2005).
 
geordief said:
Fairly
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/fairly

One meaning is "Quite"
Another is "with emphasis"

So ,if I was to say someone was "fairly knackered" it would be ambiguous without the context. ie "quite knackered" or "really knackered"

Personally in the latter case I would emphasize the adjective and would not in the former.

I don't know if others would follow this method of distinguishing between the usages in spoken speech

"Fairly" can also mean "in a fair way"
Click to expand...
Has anyone done “knackered”? If not, perhaps you might oblige…..
 
exchemist said:
Has anyone done “knackered”? If not, perhaps you might oblige…..
Click to expand...

Not looked up "knackered" but from memory I recall if a bull has had its testicals removed it was deemed to be "knackered"

Another meaning "of being exhausted" might be from the farmer "being exhausted" from "knackrting" a herd of bulls in a *knackers yard" to improve live stock

Had to look up the below

The Knocker, Knacker, or Tommyknocker (US) is a mythical, subterranean, gnome-like creature in Cornish and Devon folklore. The Welsh counterparts are coblynau. It is closely related to the Irishleprechaun, Kentish kloker and the English and Scottishbrownie. The Cornish described the creature as a little person 2 ft 0 in (0.61 m) tall, with a disproportionately large head, long arms, wrinkled skin, and white whiskers. It wears a tiny version of standard miner's garb and commits random mischief, such as stealing miners' unattended tools and food.

:)
 
Michael 345 said:
Not looked up "knackered" but from memory I recall if a bull has had its testicals removed it was deemed to be "knackered"

Another meaning "of being exhausted" might be from the farmer "being exhausted" from "knackrting" a herd of bulls in a *knackers yard" to improve live stock

Had to look up the below

The Knocker, Knacker, or Tommyknocker (US) is a mythical, subterranean, gnome-like creature in Cornish and Devon folklore. The Welsh counterparts are coblynau. It is closely related to the Irishleprechaun, Kentish kloker and the English and Scottishbrownie. The Cornish described the creature as a little person 2 ft 0 in (0.61 m) tall, with a disproportionately large head, long arms, wrinkled skin, and white whiskers. It wears a tiny version of standard miner's garb and commits random mischief, such as stealing miners' unattended tools and food.

:)
Click to expand...
Thanks.Yes I have had the derivation of knackered on my mind for some time.Over here a knacker is a common term of abuse or disrespect for a traveler or tinker.
 
Laiking

"Playing" in Yorkshire dialect

Heard this on the Brendan o'Connor radio show (RTE) who had Patrick Stewart as a guest(new book)

Art tha laikin aht = art thou coming out to play?

I recognized the word "laikin" as it is the same as " a leke" in modern day norwegian(meaning also to play)

Think he also said that "Lakers" were "Players**" in Elizabethan times (Patrick Stewart still works in the theatre)

**as in performers on the stage
 
Leftovers
  1. Food remaining uneaten at the end of a meal, esp. when saved for later use.
  2. Anything left or remaining from a larger amount;
    remainder.
 
wegs said:
I've been pondering today, the usage of ''in spite of'' vs. ''despite.''

Despite and in spite of are both prepositions meaning “regardless of,” “even though,” or “notwithstanding.” They can be used interchangeably.

  • Despite is always written as one word.
  • In spite of is always written as three words.
Personally, I like to use ''despite'' more often.
Click to expand...

I thought in spite of meant to be spiteful, used in conjunction with a purpose or reason to be. I always used despite to convey a do it anyway, regardless of a reason or purpose not to. Slightly different usages, but similar.
 
ThazzarBaal said:
I thought in spite of meant to be spiteful, used in conjunction with a purpose or reason to be. I always used despite to convey a do it anyway, regardless of a reason or purpose not to. Slightly different usages, but similar.
Click to expand...
That’s what I thought too, so we were both wrong. :frown:
 
Serendipity - ser•en•dip•ity

Definition - the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way

It could be viewed as a fortunate stroke of serendipity that she stumbled upon a science forum, and made quite a few unplanned, yet pleasant connections.
 
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