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Nov 21, 2021
This week’s themeWords with opposite or contradictory meanings This week’s words farouche dinky shifty endsville presently How popular are they? Relative usage over time AWADmail archives Index Next week’s theme Toponyms from England 
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AWADmail Issue 1012A Compendium of Feedback on the Words in A.Word.A.Day and Other Tidbits about Words and LanguageSponsor’s Message: Wicked sick and tired of social distancing? Then try some intellectual distancing instead, this time hot off the press: THE OFFICIAL OLD’S COOL EDUCATION III is “a real-whirled adventure.” This three pocket-sized handbook set is popping with diamonds and pearls of wisdom, Shakespeare, history, how-tos, wit, and tough trivia too: What’s the best-selling novel of all time? How many towns are there in America? What’s Kant’s Dove? A fantastic gift -- Buy Two, Get Three Special offer ends at midnight tonight. Wise yourself up! From: Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) Subject: Interesting stories from the Net ”I Think We Should Throw Those Books in a Fire”: Movement builds on Right to Target Books Washington Post Permalink French Dictionary Adds Non-Binary Pronoun, Sparking Anger CNN Permalink From: Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) Subject: Words with opposite or contradictory meanings For this week’s challenge, I asked our readers to construct a sentence for a word featured this week that can make the word work in both of its opposite senses. Here are some selections:
You gave us the answer to your challenge within the post itself:
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: [The farouche] who, when called upon to speak a disagreeable truth, tells it boldly and has done, is both bolder and milder than [the farouche] who nibbles in a low voice and never ceases nibbling. -Johann Kaspar Lavater, poet, writer, philosopher (15 Nov 1741-1801) -Ronnie Raviv, Chicago, Illinois (raraviv99 gmail.com) He tried to coax the pup over to him, but her farouche temperament wouldn’t have it. -Peter A Guarco, Winooski, Vermont (paguarco icloud.com) The two farouche guests entered the gathering at the same time, then one started a bloody melee while the other used the distraction to visit the buffet. -Cheryl Spence, Livonia, Michigan (clspence0610 yahoo.com) My farouche child is rarely invited on play dates. -Cathy Flynn, Medford, New York (rncmf aol.com) The word farouche clearly brings to mind the boy raised by wolves... so wild and yet so shy. -Sheila Monks, Milton, Massachusetts (smonks341 gmail.com) My farouche grandddog barks ferociously when you ring their doorbell, but he hides behind the front seat and refuses to get out of the car when my son comes to visit me. -Elizabeth Robinson, Orlando, Florida (betty.mamorob gmail.com) Our children were out playing, a group of international children -and came running in in tears complaining that their friends were cheating -the problem? They were playing tag and the pavement was “home” -But to the English children the pavement was the footpath and for the Canadians it was the road! -Hanneke Wood, Whitby, UK (hannekewood googlemail.com) So if I get paid $1000 bimonthly, do I earn $48K in a year, or $12K? -Dan Klein, Santa Fe, New Mexico (dklein 21st-strategies.com) This week’s words are literally the baddest. Super sick! -John T Egan, Minneapolis, Minnesota (johnthomasegan gmail.com) From: Janet Cohen Mandel (jcmandel gmail.com) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--dinky In an amazing coincidence, the word today was dinky, and this was today’s mini-crossword puzzle in The New York Times. Did you hear the drums? Janet Mandel, West Orange, New Jersey From: Catherine Fryer Cline (cackycline aol.com) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--dinky I am sure there is a whole generation of old men who grew up in the 1940s on Dinky Toys; little metal cars and trucks like my brother had. They were the forerunners of Hot Wheels. They are highly valued collectibles. Catherine Cline, Amelia Island, Florida From: Lucy Kashangaki (lkashangaki gmail.com) Subject: Dinky Dinky cars were a reliable choice for birthday and Christmas gifts for our five boys and their friends. Lucy Kashangaki, Princeton, New Jersey From: Jo Michie (jomichie2 gmail.com) Subject: Dinky Because of the meaning of the word which as you say is from the Scots word dink meaning small, a manufacturer of die-cast toy cars in the UK called them Dinkies. Every child in the UK knows what Dinkies are, little cars/vans/lorries, etc., which accurately replicate the real thing. They were pocket-money priced and each came in a little box. Needless to say, collectors collected the cars and their boxes and some collections now sell for mega bucks. But if you went into a classroom of 5-year-olds and asked them about dinkies you would be overwhelmed by the information and you would be shown umpteen small vehicles! Of course, Dinkies is plural. A dinky is one car. Fights have broken out in kindergartens over the ownership of a dinky! Jo Michie, East Neuk of Fife, Scotland From: Danielle Austin (danielle13 san.rr.com) Subject: Dinky patrol car men Thanks for jogging a memory in my Pensieve! My first job at age 16 was placing Dinky patrol car men into their cars on an assembly line in the UK 1970. I lasted four days and moved on to be an office “go for” girl. Danielle Austin, San Diego, California From: Anne Dayanandan (anne.daya gmail.com) Subject: dinky In my family we sometimes say co-inkeydink for coincidence. It’s easier to say, and more fun. We also say rinky-dink. I checked with my four sisters for their memories and, yes, the consensus is that rinky-dink means small, plus not sturdy, not very substantial. Here’s a sample from sister #1: “That carnival in Podunk has really rinky-dink rides.” But we agreed that we haven’t heard this gem in quite a while. Anne Dayanandan, Walnut Creek, California / Chennai, India From: Daphne Lison (daphne.lison gmail.com) Subject: dinky A personal anecdote from when I had recently arrived in this country from my native South Africa. :) Gravely insulted, my American boyfriend protested: “It’s not dinky!” in response to my intended compliment of his tiny, perfect new camera. Daphne Lison, Iowa City, Iowa From: George Bynum (gbynum att.net) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--dinky My introduction to dinky (or dinkey) was an employee of a coal-fired power station where the dinky line was used to shuttle the coal cars around the station railyard for weighing and unloading, then back to the siding where the main trains would return them to the mines. Small (but neither insignificant nor undesirable). George Bynum, Greenville, South Carolina From: Frank Chance (chancefl gmail.com) Subject: Dinky Used as a proper noun for the one-car one-stop train that shuttles from Princeton Junction to Princeton stations on the New Jersey Transit system. I rode it daily when I worked at Princeton and, though small, it was hardly insignificant or for that matter undesirable. Frank Chance, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania From: Robert Carleton (enchanted128 outlook.com) Subject: Dinky! Dinkytown is located between my parent’s home and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. It is a four-block area of small businesses. The story is that it was named for the “dinky” locomotive used as a railroad yard hostler on the main lines that ran nearby. I’ve since learned that “dinky” is the common term used for yard hostlers in trucking industries as well and not just an affectionate name given to the little steam engine, but the legend and the appellation live on. It’s still a lively neighborhood. Bob Carleton, Albuquerque, New Mexico From: Chips Mackinolty (chips.mackinolty gmail.com) Subject: Dinky Curious, you gave the UK and US versions of this word, in Australia it can be somewhat different! Dinky, also expressed as Dinky-di! means truthful/genuine. Can also be expressed as “Dinkum!” or “Fair Dinkum!” Also, dink (sometimes ding) refers to giving someone a double ride on a bicycle, horse, or motorbike. Chips Mackinolty, Mparntwe/Alice Springs, Australia
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From: Michael Sivertz (sivertz bnl.gov) Subject: Shifty The dual meanings of shifty today illustrates the problem of how tribalism infects our language. Shifty means evasive and untrustworthy, always. But if someone is being evasive and untrustworthy in a cause that advances our side, then we judge them to be resourceful. Kind of like courageous warrior who gives his life in the battle for our side. They become terrorists if they give their life for the other side. The two terms describe the same actions, judged from two different vantage points. Recall how Bill Maher got pilloried for saying “Whatever the 9/11 terrorists were, they were not cowards.” Calling them cowards debased the meaning of the word, making it a generic insult. It is dispiriting to see how tribalism has spread. Michael Sivertz, Upton, New York From: Jeanne Cook (jeannecook swbell.net) Subject: Today’s quotation
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: A scientist is in a sense a learned small boy. There is something of the scientist in every small boy. Others must outgrow it. Scientists can stay that way all their lives. -George Wald, scientist and Nobel laureate (18 Nov 1906-1997) As a daily reader and big fan of AWAD, I’ve noticed that there are occasionally quotations that reference one gender, usually male, although the comment is usually applicable to both genders. As a woman, who was once a very curious girl and who works in a science-based field, I noticed the unintended exclusion in today’s quotation. Perhaps an acknowledgement of this unfortunately common exclusion would be appropriate when featuring quotations like this one. Jeanne Cook, Austin, Texas From: Janine Harris-Wheatley (janinehw20 gmail.com) Subject: Scientists Of course, George Wald would have been more accurate if he had said child, but perhaps that is not the most important message. And I say that as a graduate of the twentieth-century educational system. Most boys, as well as girls, were told it was time to grow up and were not encouraged to have enquiring minds. Enquiring minds do not make good industrial drudges or domestic servants or fodder for war. Enquiring minds do not accept without question what is preached from the political pulpits of the day. They prefer to make their own decisions after research and reflection. Too many people find life easier if they don’t enquire too deeply but just accept what they are told as gospel. If we don’t understand the history of past attitudes, how can we and our descendants become the enquiring minds who will get us safely through this endangered twenty-first century? And I say this on a day when a non-enquiring teenager can shoot three people with an illegal weapon and be found not guilty by a non-enquiring jury. Janine Harris-Wheatley, Tottenham, Canada From: Dave Shelles (writesdave gmail.com) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--presently So you’re saying The Smiths could have saved a few character spaces on their album by titling “How Soon is Now” as merely “Presently”? Dave Shelles, Acworth, Georgia From: Ron Davis (davises magma.ca) Subject: presently In the novel The Intriguers by Donald Hamilton, the protagonist, Matt Helm, knows that a person with whom he spoke by telephone was not the person he claimed to be, because the imitator used “presently” to mean “at present”, which Helm/Hamilton claims is incorrect. Helm says “The fact that some permissive dictionaries may already have adopted the recent bаstard usage doesn’t make it sound any less affected and pretentious to his ears or mine.” Ron Davis, Deep River, Canada From: Tom Morgan (tommorgan1475 gmail.com) Subject: tomorrow or ... You said: Spanish mañana which can mean “morning” or “tomorrow” or “future”. Or, per Katherine Wells, in Life on the Rocks, UNM Press, 2009, “In New Mexico, mañana doesn’t mean tomorrow; it just means not today.” Tom Morgan, Santa Fe, New Mexico From: José Luis Palacios (jopalal gmail.com) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--presently You mention the Spanish word mañana as having multiple meanings (correct) and maybe being ambiguous. About that: we Spanish speakers say la mañana (feminine) for the morning, el mañana (masculine) for the future, and mañana for the adverb tomorrow, without articles of course. Therefore, there is no ambiguity. I live in New Mexico, known as “the land of enchantment”, but also as the land of mañana. In fact, mañana is a legitimate word in English, whose meaning is “an indefinite time in the future” as a noun and “at an indefinite time in the future” as a verb (Merriam-Webster). José Luis Palacios, Albuquerque, New Mexico From: Bob Carter (rfgcarter ntlworld.com) Subject: Presently Here in Cornwall we have the word “dreckly” (directly). It means I have an intention of doing it sometime between now and never. Makes mañana sound urgent. Bob Carter, Fareham, UK From: Jo Sandrock (josandrock gmail.com) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--presently I was born in England and until the age of ten used the phrase “just now” to mean “in the recent past”. For example: I did it just now. Then we came to South Africa and I learnt that here it means “in the near future”: I’ll do it just now. Jo Sandrock, Johannesburg, South Africa From: Bruce Adgate (rossgate gmail.com) Subject: Presently The word presently brought to mind an expression in Italian, dopo domani. This can be translated literally as “after tomorrow”. When I was restoring our 600-year-old house I would talk to workers and they promised me that something would be done dopo domani. I thought at first they meant “the day after tomorrow”. But I soon learned otherwise. It really means “sometime after tomorrow”. Exactly when? Who knows? I’ve found it a very useful term when you don’t want to be too specific about a time in the future. Bruce Adgate, Spoleto, Italy From: Jeremy Edwards (pazmundial gmail.com) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--presently In Spanish, depending on where you are, “ahorita” either means “right away” or “later”. Also, in Japanese “kondo” can either mean “this time” or “next time” depending on the context. Jeremy Edwards, Brussels, Belgium From: Corrie Verbaan (trips iafrica.com) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--presently Your issue on contradictory meanings reminded me of something similar though not quite contradictory. The conversation is in Afrikaans between a customer and the owner of a watch repair business. The key word is “môre” (pronounced ‘morah), which has a double meaning, viz “morning” and “tomorrow”. Customer enters shop to collect his repaired watch. Owner greets with “môre” (morning); customer replies “môre”; owner knows what he has come for but watch is not ready, he says “môre” (tomorrow); customer queries “môre?”; owner confirms “môre”; customer leaves with a polite “môre”; owner repeats “môre”. Corrie Verbaan, Durban, South Africa From: Paul Calico (paulcalico gmail.com) Subject: Words with Opposite or Contradictory Meanings My nomination for a word that fits the category is “either”. I first learned of what I thought was its meaning when my sister and I wanted a pet and begged for a dog or a cat. My parents said we were old enough to learn how to be responsible, so we could have either. My sister explained that we could not have one of each; we would have to choose. We chose a dog. Later, I learned that “either” has a contradictory meaning. My mother asked me to put a couple of flower pots on either side of the door. Of the two sides, I thought the pots would look better on the left side, so I put them there. My mother, however, told me she wanted one on each side of the door and explained that that is one of the meanings of the word “either”. I thought (but did not say) that, under that meaning, we could have had both a dog and a cat (one of each). So, I learned that either can mean (1) one OR the other, but not one of each, or (2) one AND the other; each. I must confess that since the word “each” is easily understood, I don’t know why we introduce confusion by using “either” in that context. Paul Calico, Cincinnati, Ohio From: Ed Malkowicz (ed_m icloud.com) Subject: Same phrase I did business in Australia and was surprised how the phrase “it was Mickey Mouse” was totally opposite down under than our meaning. In the US it means something insignificant, not worthy of attention whereas in Australia it’s the opposite, something significant, worthy of attention. Ed Malkowicz, Fullerton, California From: George Sturgeon (gsturgeon1 unl.edu) Subject: New adjective: Kenoshan Kenoshan MEANING: 1. a person or artifact residing or originating in Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA. 2. an action leading directly to the damage or demise of a fellow human being, but which action is found by a judge and jury to be short or innocent of murder. 3. a person who, while certainly intentionally injured (or even killed) is not a victim of murder, legally-speaking. ETYMOLOGY: From the 2021 trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, who came armed to Kenosha, WI, ostensibly to “counter” what he considered to be a dangerous mob and who ended up killing and maiming several citizens who were engaged in demonstrations against the killing of one Jacob Blake (by a local police officer) in that venue, but was declared legally innocent by a court in the community where the injuries took place. USAGE: The family members of the defendants on trial, in Georgia, for murdering running black Ahmaud Arbery, likely are hoping for a Kenoshan verdict. Joseph Rosenbaum, from Milwaukee, WI, became Kenoshan on the evening of Aug 25, 2020, when he was shot to death by a youthful visitor from out-of-state who was carrying, and shooting, an automatic rifle. On that night of Aug 25, 2020, Kenosha’s streets were filled with crowds protesting the police shooting of Jacob Blake, who was shot seven times in the back and side by a Kenosha police officer who said he was trying to detain him. George Sturgeon, Lincoln, Nebraska  
Subject: dinky and endsville Inspired by the alliterative Dunkin Donuts franchise appellation, I came up with a potential rival chain, Dinky Donuts. These bite-sized delights might well become all the rage, a la Krispy Kreme’s robust debut. Hmm... but at a dime-a-dozen, they might want to rethink their pricing model? D’ah! Another inspiration for my mini-donut theme was Canadian donut chain Tim Hortons’ Timbits, essentially deep-fried remainder doughnut holes, with various tantalizing glazes... scrumptious bite-sized confections... eh? 
Alex McCrae, Van Nuys, California Anagrams
Make your own anagrams and animations. Limericks “I’m farouche, yes, but can I decide? There are days when I just want to hide. Then ferocity grips, As ambivalence flips, And it’s ‘World -- here I come. Woe betide!’” -Tony Holmes, Launceston, UK (tony_holmes btconnect.com) The commedia dell’arte stock clown Earned much of his worldwide renown By being farouche. Indeed, Scaramouche Was the most timid scoundrel in town. -Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com) There seemed to be plenty of doubt as to what the new dude was about. Was he simply farouche, or a sly scaramouche? We couldn’t quite figure him out. -Anne Thomas, Sedona, Arizona (antom earthlink.net) The children were normally tame, But something just wasn’t the same. The spitballs went swoosh! The class was farouche The day that the substitute came. -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) Now Wendell was known to be shy, So many a girl passed him by. But, this chef, though farouche, Made a great amuse-bouche That many gals wanted to try. -Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) “I’ll shake up DC, I’m farouche!” Said the socialist Lyndon Larouche. Though his campaigns all failed And for fraud he was jailed, We then chose a much bigly-er douche. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) “I’m persuaded that dinky is sweet, Button nose to the teensiest feet -- No more ‘Bigger is best From her tush to her chest.’ I’m in love with a girl who’s petite.” -Tony Holmes, Launceston, UK (tony_holmes btconnect.com) “This neighborhood’s awful!” says she. “It’s stagnant, and dull as can be. I swear on my pinky I’m leaving this dinky location to set myself free!” -Anne Thomas, Sedona, Arizona (antom earthlink.net) He’s down on one knee to propose And shows her the ring that he chose. That ring is so dinky, So utterly stinky, That off to exchange it she goes. -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) If the size of a guy’s hands foretell Whether sεx with him’s gonna be swell -- And the poor guy’s right pinkie Is just kinda dinky Am I doomed to a sεx life from hell? -Bindy Bitterman, Chicago, Illinois (bindy eurekaevanston.com) As the witch melted down and grew dinky, “You killed her! She’s dead!” said the Winkie. The friends felt like kings And got drunk; that’s when things Between Lion and Scarecrow got kinky. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) Pin him down? Man, I tried -- he’s an eel. I begin to despair of this deal. Will I close? Fifty-fifty. This blighter’s so shifty He’s starting to dampen my zeal. -Tony Holmes, Launceston, UK (tony_holmes btconnect.com) Seven Dwarfs in that story? No, wait! I believe that there really were eight. Poor Shifty was kept under lock By Dopey and Sneezy and Doc, For falseness, his unwanted trait. -Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com) Says dad, “I’ve assessed your new beau.” Surprised, daughter queries, “How so?” Dad answers, “He’s shifty!” Says she, “Yes, it’s nifty that he’s so resourceful, you know!” -Anne Thomas, Sedona, Arizona (antom earthlink.net) “Holy cow!” he exclaimed, with looks shifty, “That cute girl over there sure looks nifty. If I had some more nerve, I would chase her with verve, ‘Cause I’m such an old lecher of fifty.” -Judith Marks-White, Westport, Connecticut (joodthmw gmail.com) The businessman some thought was nifty Turned out to be sneaky and shifty. And now we have learned The money he earned Was gotten by means that were grift-y. -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) Long ago as a youngster of fifty, Every day I would write a Tom Swifty. As no one would publish Such cringeworthy rubbish, To lim’ricks I turned. I’m quite shifty! -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) I believe I have planned rather well; Got a place where one day I will dwell. And I truly am blessed That in Endsville I’ll rest: The best little suburb of hell. -Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com) Says spider to fly, “I opine that you’re hungry. Come in, and we’ll dine.” “Though you act like a friend, still I fear ‘twould be endsville for me,” fly replies. “I decline!” -Anne Thomas, Sedona, Arizona (antom earthlink.net) The champs found themselves in a hole when their goalie let in a third goal. Coach knew ‘twas Endsville, From here on all downhill; He began off-field damage control. -Shyamal Mukherji, Mumbai, India (mukherjis hotmail.com) Said the monkey, “No greater utensil Can be had than a tail that’s prehensile. For hanging from trees It’s superb, the bee’s knees, And for cuddling my girlfriend, it’s Endsville!” -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) At the bar, where they meet for a brew, crone converses with sweet ingenue. “I may be senescent,” she says, “but I’m presently much better looking than you!” -Anne Thomas, Sedona, Arizona (antom earthlink.net) Our friends we will all get to see. No masks will we wear; we’ll be free! Forget about Zoom, We’ll meet in one room -- Post-Covid we’ll presently be. -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) The groom was so late down the aisle Folks started to knowingly smile. But he did get there presently, Ending it pleasantly; Just wasn’t sure for a while! -Bindy Bitterman, Chicago, Illinois (bindy eurekaevanston.com) “An Ernest will come along presently,” Said Gwendolen. “Don’t you think, Cecily?” “I hope there are two,” Answered young Miss Cardew, “For I want one as well,” she said jealously. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) Puns Said the drunken hen to her boyfriend, “Your perch is so farouche-ter, stay here with me tonight.” -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) Said the poorly translated instruction manual, “The volume knob is to increase or decrease the dinky.” -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) I was rooting so hard for the impeachment that I wore an Adam Shifty-shirt. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) The restaurant owner decided to shifty to below coffee on the new menu. -Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) When they meet their endsville-ans get their just desserts. -Lois Mowat, Orinda, California (lmowat1810 gmail.com) As Steve Benko’s German guard said to the soon-to-be executed prisoners, “Your endsville come soon.” -Jim Ertner, Greensboro, North Carolina (jde31459 gmail.com) Once she was presently-ving was not an option. -Lois Mowat, Orinda, California (lmowat1810 gmail.com) “It’s almost Christmas,” said Tom presently. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) 
Subject: Meta-mucil CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s recent rebranding of Facebook with the new Meta appellation, symbolized by a flaccid blue infinity logo, was a real head-scratcher. But even more gobsmacking was his setting up an ancillary platform for seniors. Meta-mucil. Hopefully, no intellectual property conflict of interest will arise with the fiber supplement Metamucil. Hmm... one’s a word mover, and the other, quite a different type of mover. Alex McCrae, Van Nuys, California A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Love truth, but pardon error. -Voltaire, philosopher and writer (21 Nov
1694-1778)
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