It's Friday morning, the last day of (meteorological) winter. I took a vacation day to try and get adjusted to the time change, and thus have nothing better to do ( Read more... )

Word Of The Week -- mojo
Definition: mo·jo (mō'jō')
n.

1. A magic charm or spell.
2. An amulet, often a small flannel bag containing one or more magic items, worn by adherents of hoodoo or voodoo.
3. Personal magnetism; charm.

Etymology: [Origin: 1925-30, Americanism; cf. Gullah moco, witchcraft, magic, prob. akin to Fulani moco'o, medicine man.]

Obscurity ( Read more... )

Word Of The Week -- fustigate
Definition: fus·ti·gate (fŭs'tĭ-gāt')
v. tr.

1. To beat with a club; cudgel.
2. To criticize harshly.

Etymology: [Late Latin: fūstigāre, fūstigāt- : Latin fūstis, club + Latin agere, to do; see ag- in Indo-European Roots.]

Obscurity: 90% (Come again?)

Usefulness: 30% (Uncommon enough to require an explanation unless context ( Read more... )