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

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

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

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

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

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

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