Today’s word of the day:

(MA-tuh HAR-ee, MAT-uh HAR-ee)

noun: A seductive woman who works as a spy.

Should I change careers?

purlicue

PRONUNCIATION:

(PUHR-li-kyu)

noun:
1. The space between the extended forefinger and thumb.

There is actually a word for that. ♥

ciceronian

PRONUNCIATION:

(sis-uh-RO-nee-uhn)

MEANING:

adjective: In the style of Cicero, marked by ornate language, expansive flow, forcefulness of expression, etc.

But… doesn’t “forcefulness of expression” kind of mean “pithy?” And isn’t pithy the opposite of ornate language? Hm. I know, I know. I get it. But still.

From WordSmith:

Birds don’t get any respect. Beginning with “bird brain” that paints all birds with the same brush, the English language is littered with expressions that defame our feathered friends. Individual birds have their own problems in the language. If you call someone chicken, you imply he is cowardly; someone labeled a peacock is vain. Naming a person a magpie means she is talkative or a hoarder, and a jay is a gullible person. A rooster is the inspiration behind the word cocky, then there are sitting duck, dodo, dotterel… The list is endless.

That made me sad! I’m glad they’re honoring birdies this week.

columbarium
(kol-uhm-BAR-ee-uhm)
noun: 1. A vault with niches for storing urns. 2. A dovecote or pigeon house.

And look at the image that came along with it:

I want to go there.