Spelling Word of the Day: you give me fever

January 31, 2010

Every day of 2010, I’ll be posting a spelling word here for those who would like some spelling bee practice. Photo at right is from the Williamsburg Spelling Bee, as photographed by Deneka Peniston.

Start the audio file to hear the word, definition, and etymology. Once you’ve spelled the word for yourself, click “Read More” to see the answer.

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Spelling Word of the Day: I’m a muse, I’m a muse!

January 30, 2010

Every day of 2010, I’ll be posting a spelling word here for those who would like some spelling bee practice. Photo at right is from the Williamsburg Spelling Bee, as photographed by Deneka Peniston.

Start the audio file to hear the word, definition, and etymology. Once you’ve spelled the word for yourself, click “Read More” to see the answer.

Read more

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Tom Swiftie Week: The Denouement

January 29, 2010

jetmarine.gifToday is the final installment of Tom Swiftie Week. But it need not be the end of your own (perhaps newfound) adverbial pun obsession!

To recap, Tom Swifties — named after the titular character in a series of bombastically written novels, as pictured at right — are phrases in which a sentence spoken by “Tom” is paired with an adverbial pun.

Today, as yesterday, I’m turning it over to magician Eric Walton, whose lexical abilities, I hear, make female lexicographers swoon at lexicography conferences. Here are some Swifties by Eric!

  • “Mr. Chang, this soup is delicious,” said Tom wantonly.

  • “I suppose I should do something about all those leaves in my yard,” said Tom rakishly.

  • “How I do adore Voltaire,” said Tom candidly.

  • “How did you enjoy your first day at our uranium enrichment facility?” asked Tom glowingly.

  • “If only I had brought flowers,” Tom said lackadaisically.

And now, in my opinion, the mother of all Tom Swifties:

  • “The science is clear: global warming is real and human activity is the cause,” said Tom allegorically.

Posted by jen | Categories: grammar, humor  | 5 Comments | | Email This Post Email This Post

Spelling Word of the Day: a cap is a shoe is a petticoat

January 29, 2010

Every day of 2010, I’ll be posting a spelling word here for those who would like some spelling bee practice. Photo at right of Williamsburg Spelling Bee contestant David Z. is by Deneka Peniston.

Start the audio file to hear the word, definition, and etymology. Once you’ve spelled the word for yourself, click “Read More” to see the answer.

Read more

Posted by jen | Categories: spelling word of the day  | Leave a Comment | | Email This Post Email This Post

Tom Swiftie Week: Now With Prestidigitation!

January 28, 2010

jetmarine.gifIt’s Day Four of Tom Swiftie Week!

To recap, Tom Swifties — named after the titular character in a series of bombastically written novels, as pictured at right — are phrases in which a sentence spoken by “Tom” is paired with an adverbial pun.

Today I’m turning it over to magician Eric Walton, whose Tom Swiftie production this past week has far outstripped my own. Here are some Swifties by Eric!

  • “Perhaps these iron mittens were a bad idea,” said Tom heavy-handedly.

  • “The only information I will give you about myself is that I am lava-flow,” said Tom magnanimously.

  • “Control yourself!” said Tom remotely.

  • “That’s going to leave a mark,” said Tom impressively.

  • “My bananas, apples and plums have all gone missing!” said Tom fruitlessly.

  • “This macaroni and cheese is delicious,” said Tom craftily.

Posted by jen | Categories: grammar, humor  | 2 Comments | | Email This Post Email This Post

Spelling Word of the Day: “below an earl and above a baron” is, quite frankly, one of my favorite places to be

January 28, 2010

Every day of 2010, I’ll be posting a spelling word here for those who would like some spelling bee practice. Photo at right is of contestant Trent Williams at the Williamsburg Spelling Bee, as photographed by Deneka Peniston.

Start the audio file to hear the word, definition, and etymology. Once you’ve spelled the word for yourself, click “Read More” to see the answer.

Read more

Posted by jen | Categories: spelling word of the day  | 1 Comment | | Email This Post Email This Post

Tom Swiftie Week: Tom Swift and His Atomic Adverbs!

January 27, 2010

jetmarine.gifIt’s Day Three of Tom Swiftie Week!

To recap, Tom Swifties — named after the titular character in a series of bombastically written novels, as pictured at right — are phrases in which a sentence spoken by “Tom” is paired with an adverbial pun.

So here are a few more of mine. Feel free to post your own in the comments!

  • “My aorta’s full of fireflies,” Tom said lightheartedly.

  • “How sad that I cannot change the ending of this Nixon biography,” Tom said resignedly.

  • “I got so emotional when I found PreventShortCircuits.com!” said Tom effusively.

  • “Look, I’ll multiply, divide, and subtract, but that’s it,” said Tom nonplussedly.

  • “I wouldn’t want anyone to think I were Peeping back here,” Tom said hedgingly.

  • “I think my penis might be injuring people,” Tom said pointedly.

Posted by jen | Categories: grammar, humor  | 5 Comments | | Email This Post Email This Post

Spelling Word of the Day: edibles, foodstuffs, comestibles

January 27, 2010

Every day of 2010, I’ll be posting a spelling word here for those who would like some spelling bee practice. Photo at right is of contestant Tim Pence at the Williamsburg Spelling Bee, as photographed by Deneka Peniston.

Start the audio file to hear the word, definition, and etymology. Once you’ve spelled the word for yourself, click “Read More” to see the answer.

Read more

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Tom Swiftie Week: It All Ends In -Ly

January 26, 2010

jetmarine.gifIt’s Day Two of Tom Swiftie Week!

To recap, Tom Swifties — named after the titular character in a series of bombastically written novels, as pictured at right — are phrases in which a sentence spoken by “Tom” is paired with an adverbial pun.

So here are a few more of mine. Feel free to post your own in the comments!

  • “I’m sorry for signaling S.O.S. again,” Tom said remorsefully.

  • “This Budwesier will never substitute for a good Chardonnay,” said Tom whinily.

  • “You just poked the quarterback in the eye!” Tom said jocularly.

  • “I’ve figured out just where we can get the raw materials for our wig-making business,” Tom said gravely.

  • “I know how you could help my friends and I make our Three Stooges tribute act just perfect,” Tom said piously.

  • “Look, I’m the Hindu god Shiva!” Tom said handily.

Posted by jen | Categories: grammar, humor  | Leave a Comment | | Email This Post Email This Post

Spelling Word of the Day: quick, perform the property-transfer ceremony!

January 26, 2010

Every day of 2010, I’ll be posting a spelling word here for those who would like some spelling bee practice. Photo at right is from the Williamsburg Spelling Bee, as photographed by Deneka Peniston.

Start the audio file to hear the word, definition, and etymology. Once you’ve spelled the word for yourself, click “Read More” to see the answer.

Read more

Posted by jen | Categories: spelling word of the day  | 3 Comments | | Email This Post Email This Post

“Fear the Boom and Bust” a Hayek vs. Keynes Rap Anthem

January 26, 2010

I’ve always been a fan of didactic rap; as a guest writer on Jewcy, I commented on this.

Enjoy…

Posted by jen | Categories: economics  | Leave a Comment | | Email This Post Email This Post

Tom Swiftie Week

January 25, 2010

jetmarine.gifI became aware of Tom Swifties via an article in this month’s Mensa Bulletin, a publication I have recently questioned for its editorial choices.

But Tom Swifties — named after the titular character in a series of bombastically written novels, as pictured at right — are so fun that I decided to write some, my gentleman consort decided to write some, and I decided to publish them here all week long!

Abridged from Wikipedia:

A Tom Swifty (or Tom Swiftie) is a phrase in which a quoted sentence is linked by a pun to the manner in which it is attributed.

“Can I go looking for the Grail again?” Tom requested.

“We just struck oil!” Tom gushed.

“They had to amputate them both at the ankles,” Tom said defeatedly.

“Hurry up and get to the back of the ship,” Tom said sternly.

As the examples illustrate, the standard syntax is for the quoted sentence to be first, followed by the description of the act of speaking.

There are a few more rules about Tom Swifties — a few require a name other than “Tom” in order to work, and some people think that Swifties that don’t end in -ly aren’t “real” (for instance, the Mensa article, by Richard Lederer, contained the quite satisfying pun, “I’m wearing my wedding ring!” said Tom with abandon.)

In any case, here are a few of mine. Feel free to post your own in the comments!

  • “Surely this recipe couldn’t require any more cheese,” Tom said gratingly.

  • “I’ve just learned you can purchase matador supplies over the internet!” Tom said ebulliently.

  • “Watch how efficiently I can manipulate this remote control to get to my favorite sitcom about a serial killer,” Tom said dextrously.

  • “I don’t just want to kill this vampire, I want to punish him,” Tom said painstakingly.

  • “I don’t know whether that woman will sleep with me for money,” Tom said horrifically.

  • “I’d like whatever bread the Jews like,” Tom said wryly.

Posted by jen | Categories: grammar, humor  | 24 Comments | | Email This Post Email This Post

Spelling Word of the Day: sugar and spice and everything nice

January 25, 2010

Every day of 2010, I’ll be posting a spelling word here for those who would like some spelling bee practice. Photo at right is from the Williamsburg Spelling Bee, as photographed by Deneka Peniston.

Start the audio file to hear the word, definition, and etymology. Once you’ve spelled the word for yourself, click “Read More” to see the answer.

Read more

Posted by jen | Categories: spelling word of the day  | Leave a Comment | | Email This Post Email This Post

Spelling Word of the Day: a nest on a cliff

January 24, 2010

Every day of 2010, I’ll be posting a spelling word here for those who would like some spelling bee practice. Photo of Season Ten Williamsburg Spelling Bee winner Wilson Southerland is by Eric Walton.

Start the audio file to hear the word, definition, and etymology. Once you’ve spelled the word for yourself, click “Read More” to see the answer.

Read more

Posted by jen | Categories: spelling word of the day  | Leave a Comment | | Email This Post Email This Post

Spelling Word of the Day: I declare this coup to be official!

January 23, 2010

Every day of 2010, I’ll be posting a spelling word here for those who would like some spelling bee practice. Photo at right is from the Williamsburg Spelling Bee, as photographed by Eric Walton.

Start the audio file to hear the word, definition, and etymology. Once you’ve spelled the word for yourself, click “Read More” to see the answer.

Read more

Posted by jen | Categories: spelling word of the day  | Leave a Comment | | Email This Post Email This Post

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