Thursday, July 27, 2006

New Word of the Day

One of the new words being added to the Webster-Merriam dictionary this year is -- Mouse Potato: any person who spends an inordinate amount of leisure time at a computer.

It is interesting to note how modern technology not only changes our lifestyles, but shapes our vocabulary as we are moved along in the current.

It also amuses me to see how definitions evolve over time. For instance, in ancient times the word "shambles" referred to a meat market or butcher. Now the word's definition is: a scene or condition of great devastation. The connection is obvious.

I could be very modern and say to Hannah (even though I wouldn't, it is probably still warranted): you need to stop being such a mouse potato and clean your room, it is in shambles!

Yes, the meat and potatoes of vocabulary.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

A Few of My Least Favorite Things . . .

One of the things I really hate is the phrase "brain fart." Second to that, and not with as much venom, I dislike the term "senior moment." Both are made worse followed by a hardy-harr laugh, such as: Helen had a brain fart - insert hardy-harr laugh. Or, Helen had a senior moment - hardy-harr laugh. (Helen is a fictional character).

I think both phrases are corrosive to society. I know there are a lot more corrosive elements to be concerned with, but since I am overwhelmed with the state of the world right now I like to narrow my focus.

Monday, July 17, 2006

Gone Too Far

This time "they've" gone too far. The newspaper reported that CBS will be printing advertising slogans on the shells of grocery store bought eggs. Soon you will open your carton of eggs (I assume these eggs are not from cage-free chickens, since they are not advertising-free) and a quippy little saying will prompt you to watch TV on a CBS station.

Why can't they just leave some things sacred? Like our chicken eggs.