Clingy Words
I've known for a while about the word "trove", which seems inextricably tied to treasure. I mean, what other type of trove is there? Recently, I was reminded of the word "knell", who turns out to be a might bit moribund, itself (I think that's funny, perhaps people with sharper vocabularies can confirm). Anyway, this all got me thinking about what other words are out there doggedly clinging to one of their compatriots' heels.
As it turns out, I'm not the only one to consider starting a list.
The "One-Trick" Word List
And, I must say, I'm glad I looked it up instead of trying to make my own list. I don't think I would have ever gotten that far. You should all take a look, there are some good ones: edgewise, extenuating, hackles, peter, riddance, rouser, ulterior.
Some random observations about some equally random words:
As it turns out, I'm not the only one to consider starting a list.
The "One-Trick" Word List
And, I must say, I'm glad I looked it up instead of trying to make my own list. I don't think I would have ever gotten that far. You should all take a look, there are some good ones: edgewise, extenuating, hackles, peter, riddance, rouser, ulterior.
Some random observations about some equally random words:
- Petard - I was really surprised by the definition of this one. I could have worn it was some sort of polearm.
- Dinkum - I recently read "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress", and I truly thought throughout the book that Heinlein had made this one up. Although, speaking of that same book, I think it actually disproves the "one-trick"ness of this word.
- Honcho - Apparently also a verb, who knew?
- Immemorial - Of course, it's near cousin "immemorially" is not so pigeon-holed. Although it takes until the 30th hit on Google to get past the definitions, the word is actually used in a sentence without "time" at all. For those of you curious, the sentence is: "The site whereon so long had stood the ancient temple to the Christian divinities was not even recorded on the green and level grass-plot that had immemorially been the churchyard".
- Limber - I hazily recalled this meaning more than just increased flexibility. Turns out, it's the thing that pulls olde-tyme artillery and collects seawater. Although, I also feel this would also be a proper use, "Get limber for this one, it's tougher than the rest".