A.Word.A.Day -- AWADmail Issue 1165

A.Word.A.Day

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AWADmail Issue 1165

A Compendium of Feedback on the Words in A.Word.A.Day and Other Tidbits about Words and Language

Sponsor’s Message: “Scrabble on steroids, with a thieving twist.” One Up! -- where stealing is the name of the game. “My daily dose of dopamine.” A wicked smart Christmas gift. Game on!

From: Laszlo Heredy (lacike me.com)
Subject: Gosh

You filthy America-Hating vermin... go back to your 3d world country of birth and leave your ugly political opinions to yourself.

You can exercise your marvelous word knowledge sharing from there.

Laszlo Heredy Calabasas, California

From: Larry H. Estes Jr. (lestes fuse.net)
Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--exuberant

I relish the fear in your writing, you Trump deranged dirtbag. I’m going to write Trump and ask him to put you first in line for the death camp after he becomes dictator.

Time for you people to be gone. Permanently.

Larry H. Estes Jr., Cincinnati, Ohio

America is a nation of immigrants. If you were born here, chances are your parents, grandparents, or ancestors came from another place. Our country is built on welcoming people of all backgrounds, regardless of religion, color, orientation, origin. And political beliefs.

We live in a country founded on freedom of speech and the exchange of ideas. Ask yourself: why do you choose to hate others more than you choose to love your country?

One day, when you’re in your 80s or 90s, reflecting back on the journey of life, will moments like this be the memories you cherish? Will the words you wrote above make you, your children, and your grandchildren proud?

In spite of everything, I still believe better angels of our nature will prevail.

-Anu Garg

From: Bruce Barrett (bgbama mediacombb.net)
Subject: Words to describe US presidential candidates

Thank you, Anu. I was a Trumper until Sep 2023 (see my letter in AWADmail Issue 1108), until I could no longer defend his presidential actions and hateful, divisive rhetoric. Please do your best to help turn a close race into a watershed defeat of a truly despicable, nay evil, individual.

Bruce Barrett, Orange Beach, Alabama

From: SarahRose Werner (swerner nbnet.nb.ca)
Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--exuberant

I’ve heard detractors refer to Kamala Harris as a “talking head”. Gee, better a talking head than a talking dic... tator.

SarahRose Werner, Saint John, Canada

From: Sandy Stiles (sandystiles77 gmail.com)
Subject: Thanks for calling out Trump

Add my name to the list of people who appreciate that you are boldly anti-Trump. I am one hundred percent anti-Trump, but am not bold at all. We need more people like you to speak out!

I am surrounded by Trump flags and signs. I am a volunteer driver for people to get to medical appointments. They are nearly 100% Trumpers. It is pretty depressing.

Sandy Stiles, Owego, New York

From: Peter Altschuler (altschuler wordsworthandco.com)
Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--exuberant

In a video essay on the country’s tenuous relationship with truth, John Cleese said that you have to be smart to know you’re stupid. Those who aren’t? They’re the ones who watch Fox News.

Peter Altschuler, Santa Monica, California

From: Jim Weems (jimweems06 gmail.com)
Subject: A.Word.A.Day - Oct 21, 2024

Thank you for your daily words! And thank you so much for today’s exhortation to vote (and hopefully get it right). I’m 73 years old and have voted in every US election since I was 21 -- the law allowing 18 year-olds to vote was passed after my 18th. As angry as I was that I had not been allowed that right, I have not failed to live up to the right bestowed upon me since. As I have done every election, I will repeat this year; fortunately, my voting location is City Hall here, a half-mile walk, so I get my physical exercise, and exercise my democratic responsibility in selecting our government.

I approach this election with more fear than I have ever felt -- the prospect of the Orange Insurrectionist retaking the highest office in our nation is more fearful than anything the best horror story writers could conjure.

James Weems, Avondale Estates, Georgia

From: Tom Pedretti (motmai9195 gmail.com)
Subject: Election

Trump is the American Hitler. To see what Trump is up to, you can go to the History Channel, and watch the documentaries on the rise of the Third Reich. The “Make Germany Great Again” zealots in the crowds at the Hitler rallies are no different from the hateful MAGA zealots at the Trump rallies.

Tom Pedretti, Mt Horeb, Wisconsin

From: Christina Stuart (cstuart gmx.de)
Subject: What’s in a name?

When we look at the German word for Trump (Trumpf) it has negative implications as well: to outdo someone, get the better of someone, to cut out, also: as verb: to trump fear = Angst trumpfen. to bribe = bestechen, corrupt = Korrumpieren. Also to impress, to shine, to take advantage of. These are all Trumponian characteristics. I believe one day going forth, there will be a new derivative of the word Trump as in trumponian politics which implies a political form of draconian or authoritarian rule, where hate, lies, deviousness and fear define this type of politics.

Christina Stuart, Haan, Germany

From: Judith Malkin (jgmalkin rogers.com)
Subject: Today’s message

I am an American citizen who has lived in Canada for nearly 50 years. I despair of what my country has become and the total lack of civil discourse, especially in government bodies such as Congress.

I wholeheartedly agree with you about the dangers of a Trump victory. And yes, I have already mailed my ballot and have been able to confirm that it was received and counted!

Judy Malkin, Toronto, Canada

From: James Madison Cox (madisoncoxjames gmail.com)
Subject: Thanks for your insight

Thank you again, Anu, for your insight into our political crisis. I agree with every word you’ve written about it, and so does almost everyone I know.

James Madison Cox, Tel Aviv, Israel
(I hold dual US-Israeli citizenship.)

Email of the Week -- Brought to you buy One Up! -- Perfectly-horrible holiday fun.

From: Maureen and Hank Marien (hmarien shentel.net)
Subject: The VOTE

We are a couple of old and happily retired fogies who now live in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. We’ve lived all over the country and the world and seen the politically good and bad in other countries.Yet, we were each raised in our own childhood homes to know and consider right from wrong. We have no problem voting across party lines to do that. Surely, just because we’re now 80, we can’t be the only ones still doing so.

I know we haven’t been dozing off and are actively interested in our government, but this election seems like an easy one for people who inform themselves and vote with a conscience!

Maureen and Hank Marien, New Market, Virginia

From: John Jackson john jackson-todd.com)
Subject: senescent

Reminds me of my favorite word for Trump: coprolite.
John Jackson, Groton, Massachusetts

From: Madison Warfield (maddiewarfield gmail.com)
Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--senescent

Senescent makes me think of the 2003 film Freaky Friday, starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. Tess is an author of Through the Looking Glass. Senescence in Retrograde.

Quote: “Se-nes-cence? Seeny-sincey? What? You know, my publisher doesn’t think anybody’s gonna know what the word senescence means. Do you know what it means? - Senescence, like senile! Old people! Got it!”

Madison Warfield, Westminster, Maryland

From: Linda Franklin (franklindag yahoo.com)
Subject: Flemish proverb is graphic as is Brueghal’s art Re: A.Word.A.Day--sycophantic

A bit surprising, almost scatological, definitely graphic, and so amusing your choice of image which inspired me to research/read further. Thanks for this: could we say it lit a fire under my &%* or should I say my lower back?

From a Flemish saying/proverb: “Because so much money creeps into my sack, the whole world climbs into my hole.”

“This saying recalls modern day descriptions of flatterers as brownnosers or ass-kissers, terms that no doubt descend from the vivid pictorial tradition of illustrations such as this.” (source, pdf)

Linda Franklin, Switzerland

From: Victoria Zackheim (vdzack aol.com)
Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--sycophantic

Those who follow Trump are not sycophants... they are psychophants.

Victoria Zackheim, Conway, Massachusetts

From: Brenda J. Gannam (gannamconsulting earthlink.net)
Subject: sycophantic

Any sycophant is actually a sicko-phant.

Brenda J. Gannam, Brooklyn, New York

From: Ian MacLeod (icmacleod telus.net)
Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--sycophantic

When my son was in grade 7, the students had an English assignment to come up with three long words, and show that they knew how to use them. He came to me and said, “Dad, you know a lot of big words. Give me three.” I gave him obfuscate, obsequious, and sycophant. I didn’t tell him the meanings.

When he told his teacher the words he had, the teacher said “There is no way you know how to use those words in a sentence!” My son answered with two out of the three: “Yes I do. An obsequious sycophant is a bυtt licking bυtt licker.” After a pause, the teacher acknowledged that he was right. Often, in the years since, as a joke, I have asked people if they would be offended if I called them obsequious sycophants. Almost universally, they have had no idea.

Ian MacLeod, Richmond, Canada

From: Joseph Genovese (joe_geno hotmail.com)
Subject: Donald Duck... tator

Even the corniest jokes about Trump tend to be side-splittingly hilarious.

So, imagine what you did to me with this: Donald Duck(tator).

The man’s mouth is custom-made for a duct-tape.

Joe Genovese, Birkirkara, Malta

From: Ann Smiley (salutsmiley gmail.com)
Subject: praise!

Here’s an accolade from a recently rejoined unsubscribe. AWWD is the only podcast I follow; I began from the beginning at the onset of the pandemic. Martha and Grant correctly assess your linguistic brilliance and creativity. Perhaps this pat on the back will balance some of the current vitriol surrounding us.

Ann Smiley, Middleton, Wisconsin

From: Alex McCrae (ajmccrae277 gmail.com)
Subject: avuncular/exuberant and sycophantic

In this version of Grant Wood’s iconic painting “American Gothic”, I’ve tried to convey both the down-home Midwest avuncular warmth of Tim Walz and the intrinsic exuberance and joy of the Harris/Walz campaign ticket. In stark contrast, Trump, portending doom and gloom, an American apocalypse if he’s not elected, continues to denigrate his Democratic rivals in an attempt to solidify his fawning MAGA base.

Trump’s running-mate, JD Vance, like many GOPers, was quick to rightly admonish Trump for his role in inciting the Jan 6 insurrection. Again, like Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham and then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, he totally flip-flopped, from once calling Trump “America’s Hitler”, to the point that he joined The Donald’s loyal band of sycophants.

Alex McCrae, Van Nuys, California

Anagrams


This week’s theme: Words to describe US presidential candidates 1. Exuberant 2. Senescent 3. Avuncular 4. Sycophantic 5. Indefatigable	=	1. Incredible Kamala 2. Detested ‘n seditious “Pυssy Grabber” denies lie 3. Wise Coach TW 4. Untested “Fat Chance Vance” 5. Harris ‘n next POTUS ...
		-Julian Lofts, Auckland, New Zealand (jalofts xtra.co.nz)

=	1. Makes us enthusiastic, ecstatic, rabid 2. Elder person, but decayed, ancient 3. Show benevolence 4. Axed paid fawning 5. Tireless thrust	=	1. Enthusiastic spirit 2. Aged, crotchety, Depends-scented menace 3. Advisor we’d consult 4. A** kisser, fawner 5. Inexhaustible, unbeatable
	-Shyamal Mukherji, Mumbai, India (mukherjis hotmail.com)		-Dharam Khalsa, Burlington, North Carolina (dharamkk2 gmail.com)

Make your own anagrams and animations.

Limericks

exuberant

The Yanks won the pennant, hooray!
The World Series is now under way.
And exuberant fans
Are making big plans
To go to those games; where they’ll pray.
-Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com)

An oddly exuberant Trump
Made vulgar remarks on the stump.
How bizarre can you get?!
But I’m willing to bet
More nonsense we’ll hear from this chump.
-Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com)

Optimistic!! no worrying needed!
No “What comes next?” earnestly pleaded!
I’m exuberant, ’cause
Me and all my in-laws
Are sure Kamala will have succeeded!
-Bindy Bitterman, Chicago, Illinois (bindy eurekaevanston.com)

“Don’t call me a taxi,” he said.
“The thought of one fills me with dread.”
Then feeling exuberant,
He went on an Uber rant.
“I’d rather just walk it instead.”
-Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com)

Said Bossie, “I don’t act exuberant;
That’s not what you get with a ruminant.
My real superpower
Makes carnivores cower:
From grass I extract every nutriment.”
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

senescent

I once was a bright adolescent
With fervor that seemed incandescent.
That was ages ago,
And I really don’t know
How I managed to get so senescent.
-Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com)

As voters we have to reflect
On whom we would like to elect.
A gal effervescent
Or fellow senescent --
Remember this when you select.
-Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com)

We start off in life pre-pubescent,
Then next we become adolescent.
Through all of these stages,
Our poor body ages.
If lucky, we have time senescent.
-Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com)

“Here in Stone Age, we no grow senescent;
Life too short, and not ever quiescent,”
Said Oog. “But at least,
Though we flee from some beast,
No have leaders who speak lies incessant.”
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

avuncular

I assure you that this is no schmaltz.
As a candidate he has no faults.
He’s avuncular, yes.
But you never would guess --
On the dance floor he does a mean waltz.
-Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com)

Avuncular Timothy Walz
Is happy when Kamala calls.
“In my role as VP,
I know that to me
The job of supporting her falls.”
-Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com)

My neighbor’s avuncular, yes,
And helpful when I’m in distress.
Not at all avaricious;
His cooking’s delicious!
Am I “setting my cap” for him? Guess!
-Bindy Bitterman, Chicago, Illinois (bindy eurekaevanston.com)

“In debates I don’t go for the jugular,
For I’m gentle and kind and avuncular,”
Said Tim Walz. “If my wife
Gave me unending strife,
I would still never wish Donald Trump on her.”
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

sycophantic

Giuliani was driven and frantic.
His ambitions were truly gigantic.
And in infamy he
Forever will be,
The man who defines “sycophantic”.
-Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com)

The man with the ego gigantic
Likes yes-men who’ll be sycophantic.
So Trump chose JD
To be his VP,
A match one might see as bromantic!
-Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com)

“I used to be called sycophantic,”
Said Mike Pence, “till the day things got frantic.
As I ran for my life,
I cried, ‘Mother!’ My wife
Goes by that, for we think it’s romantic.”
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

indefatigable

With indefatigable zest
I strived to be known as the best --
As a craftsman of love.
But when push came to shove,
I was tired and needed a rest.
-Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com)

My young son can sure wear me out fast.
His energy leaves me aghast.
Indefatigable,
With pranks he will pull.
I do hope that my strength will last.
-Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com)

Though Kamala’s quite indefatigable,
Her opponent is rather inflammable.
It must tire her out
To keep hearing him shout
About Hannibal Lecter, the cannibal.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

Puns

“I’m an exuberant -- went back to old-fashioned taxis,” said the six-legged cab driver chatting with her passenger.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

“Herds of bi-senescent-ially supplied all of our needs before the white man came,” explained the Great Plains tribal chief.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

“What I h-avuncular-guably get too,” said Rhett’s nephew a few days after their visit to Belle Watling.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

“I’m really sycophantic-oke, Dr. Pepper, just about every major soda brand,” said the bored soft-drink aficionado.
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

“These voyages are getting exhausting,” sighed Columbus. “I guess I’m becoming West Indefatigable.”
-Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com)

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile. To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else. -Theodore Roosevelt, 26th US President (1858-1919)

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