August 25
2016
August 17
2016
Rules Of Grammar: Biannual vs. Biennial
August 2
2016
I Love Steno Trivia Tuesday
QUESTION: What two words are combined to create the portmanteau word, “endorphin”?
Answer: endogenous and morphine.
Endogenous is defined as follows: “(1) Growing or produced by growth from deep tissue. (2) Caused by factors inside the organism or system. (3) Produced or synthesized within the organism or system.”
Morphine is “A bitter crystalline addictive narcotic base C17H19NO3 that is the principal alkaloid of opium and is used in the form of a soluble salt as an analgesic and sedative.”
An endorphin is a endogenous opioid neuropeptide. It is a “morphine-like substance originating within the body.” Endorphins are produced by the pituitary gland and the central nervous system.
August 2
2016
Rules Of Grammar: What Are Portmanteau Words?
Portmanteau words are words that combine the pronunciations and meanings of two words.
Examples:
smog= smoke + fog
Brexit= Britain + exit
newscast= news + broadcast
docudrama= documentary + drama
sitcom= situational + comedy
affluenza= affluence + influenza
camcorder= camera + recorder
neither= not + either
irregardless= irrespective + regardless
July 25
2016
The Grammar Bible’s Spelling Challenge
The Grammar Bible By: Michael Strumpf and Auriel Douglas has a very interesting spelling challenge. The challenge is one that was issued by the author’s friend who told the author that he has met anyone who can correctly spell all of the words in the following sentence: “Outside a minuscule cemetery, an embarrassed peddler and a harassed cobbler gnawed on a desiccated bone while gazing on a lady’s ankle with unparalleled ecstasy.”
The author suggests that you try this challenge on your friends.
July 11
2016
Rules Of Grammar: Discreet vs Discrete
Discreet is defined as follows in the Webster Dictionary: “(1) Not likely to be seen or noticed by many people. (2) Having or showing discernment or good judgment in conduct and especially in speech. (3) Unpretentious, modest. (4) Unobtrusive, unnoticeable.
Discrete is defined as follows in the Webster Dictionary: “(1) Separate and different from each other. (2) Constituting a separate entity. (3) Consisting of distinct or unconnected elements; noncontinuous. (4) Taking on or having a finite or countably infinite number of values.
Machine Briefs:
OPTION #1: discreet: SDRAOET
OPTION #2: discreet: DIS/KRAOET
OPTION #3: discreet: DIZ/KRAOET
OPTION #1: discrete: DIS/KRA*OET
OPTION #2: discrete: DIZ/KRA*OET
June 29
2016
Rules Of Grammar: Auger vs. Augur
An auger is a tool that has a bit in the shape of a helix. This tool is used to bore holes in wood.
An augur is a soothsayer; a person who foretells events by omens. It is also a word used todecribe an official diviner of ancient Rome.
Machine Briefs:
OPTION #1: auger= AURG
OPTION #2: auger= AU/G*ER
OPTION #3: auger= AUG/*ER
OPTION #1: augur= A*URG
OPTION #2: auger= AU/G*UR
OPTION #3: auger= AUG/*UR
March 22
2016
Readback: One Word, Not Two
Despite spell check’s proclamations otherwise, readback is a compound word that exists.
Wiktionary defines readback as follows: (1) (Computing) The act of reading data back from a location where it has been stored. (2) (Aviation, telecommunications) The repetition of a message one has received, in order to acknowledge it. (3) The reading aloud by a court reporter or stenographer of testimony previously taken down in stenographic dictation, usually at the request of the presiding judge or parties involved in a deposition.”
March 17
2016
Rules Of Grammar: Paul vs. Pall vs. Pawl
Of course, there is the name Paul. Then there is pawl and pall.
Pall has the following definitions: “(1) A cover for a coffin, bier, or tomb, often made of black, purple, or white velvet. (2) A coffin. (3) A covering that darkens or obscures. (4) A gloomy effect or atmosphere. (5) To become insipid, boring, or wearisome.”
A pawl is “a pivoted tongue or sliding bolt on one part of a machine that is adapted to fall into notches or interdental spaces on another part so as to permit motion in only one direction.”
Machine Briefs:
Paul= PA*UL/PA*UL
pall= PAUL
pawl= PA*UL
March 4
2016
