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Surprise choice for "Word of the Year"

<p>The Oxford University Press has named its word of the year, and the results are not what you expect. </p> <p>From "Swiftie" (an evid Taylor Swift fan), "situationship" (an informal romantic or sexual relationship)  and "prompt" (an instruction given to an AI program), it's clear that this year's line up was heavily influenced by Gen Z. </p> <p>This year's winner truly speaks volumes about the impact of the younger generation, after results from a public vote reveal that "Rizz" is the word of the year. </p> <p>Rizz is believed to come from the middle of the word charisma, and it is often used to describe someone's ability to attract or seduce someone else. </p> <p>The publishers of the Oxford English Dictionary also said that it can be used as a verb as in to "rizz up"  which means to attract or chat someone up. </p> <p>"It speaks to how younger generations create spaces — online or in person — where they own and define the language they use," the publisher said.</p> <p>"From activism to dating and wider culture, as Gen Z comes to have more impact on society, differences in perspectives and lifestyle play out in language, too."</p> <p>In a news release,  Oxford Languages President Casper Grathwohl said: "Rizz is a term that has boomed on social media, and speaks to how language that enjoys intense popularity and currency within particular social communities — and even in some cases lose their popularity and become passé — can bleed into the mainstream."</p> <p>One of the first instances of a celebrity using it, was when earlier this year <em>Spiderman</em> star Tom Holland said that he had "no rizz whatsoever", during an interview with <em>BuzzFeed</em>. </p> <p>"I have limited rizz," he said at the time, joking about his relationship with co-star Zendaya. </p> <p>Rizz was one of eight words that made it to the shortlist, which included a few other words like: “beige flag”, “parasocial”, “heat dome” and “de-influencing”. </p> <p>Rizz is heavily used online with the hashtag racking up billions of views on TikTok.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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20 old words that have new meanings since the birth of the internet

<p><a href="../Dictionary.com"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Dictionary.com</strong></span></a> has revealed a list of commonly used words that have seen their definition change considerably in the last couple of decades.</p> <p>The changes have been primarily driven by the increased use of social media. While 1995 may seem like it was just yesterday to some of us, 20 years is actually a really long time. The world has change from dial-up modems and VCRs to unlimited broadband and Netflix streaming.</p> <p>Check out the list of 20 words with new meanings below:</p> <p><strong>1. Bump</strong></p> <p>Then: “to come more or less heavily in contact with.”</p> <p>Now: “to move an online post or thread to the top of the reverse chronological list by adding a new comment or post to the thread.”</p> <p><strong>2. Cloud</strong></p> <p>Then: “a visible collection of particles of water or ice suspended in the air.”</p> <p>Now: “any of several parts of the Internet that allow online processing and storage of documents and data as well as electronic access to software and other resources.”</p> <p><strong>3. Core</strong></p> <p>Then: “the central part of a fleshy fruit, containing the seeds.”</p> <p>Now: “the muscles of the torso, which provide support for the spine and pelvis.”</p> <p><strong>4. Fail</strong></p> <p>Then: “to come short or be wanting in action.”</p> <p>Now: “to make an embarrassing or humorous mistake, be in a humiliating situation, etc., and be subject to ridicule.”</p> <p><strong>5. Footprint</strong></p> <p>Then: “a mark left by the foot.”</p> <p>Now: “a unique set of characteristics, actions, etc., that leave a trace and serve as a means of identification.”</p> <p><strong>6. Friend</strong></p> <p>Then: “someone attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.”</p> <p>Now: “to add a person to one’s list of contacts on a social-networking website.”</p> <p><strong>7. Glance</strong></p> <p>Then: “to look quickly or briefly.”</p> <p>Now: “Information on an electronic screen that can be understood quickly or at a glance.”</p> <p><strong>8. Goldilocks</strong></p> <p>Then: “a person with golden hair.”</p> <p>Now: “Not being extreme or not varying drastically between extremes, especially between hot and cold.”</p> <p><strong>9. Like</strong></p> <p>Then: “having the same or similar qualities or characteristics.”</p> <p>Now: “to indicate one’s enjoyment of, agreement with, or interest in website content, especially in social media.”</p> <p><strong>10. Meme</strong></p> <p>Then: “a cultural element, as a custom or concept.”</p> <p>Now: “A cultural item in the form of an image, video, phrase, etc., that is spread via the Internet and often altered in a creative or humorous way.”</p> <p><strong>11. Ping:</strong></p> <p>Then: “to produce a sharp, ringing, high-pitched sound.”</p> <p>Now: “to make contact with someone by sending a brief electronic message, as a text message.”</p> <p><strong>12. Profile:</strong></p> <p>Then: “the outline or contour of the human face, especially as seen from the side.”</p> <p>Now: “the personal details, images, user statistics, social-media timeline, etc., that an individual creates and associates with a username or online account.”</p> <p><strong>13. Sandbox:</strong></p> <p>Then: “a container holding sand, usually located in an outdoors area.”</p> <p>Now: “an environment in which software developers or editors can create and test new content, separate from other content in the project.”</p> <p><strong>14. Swipe</strong></p> <p>Then: “a stroke with full swing of the arms.”</p> <p>Now: “to move the fingers across a touchscreen.”</p> <p><strong>15. Takeaway</strong></p> <p>Then: “food or beverage purchased for consumption elsewhere.”</p> <p>Now: “conclusions, impressions, or action points resulting from a meeting, discussion, roundtable, or the like.”</p> <p><strong>16. Text</strong></p> <p>Then: “the main body of matter in a book or manuscript.”</p> <p>Now: “to send a text message.”</p> <p><strong>17. Timeline</strong></p> <p>Then: “a representation of historical events in the form of a line.”</p> <p>Now:  “a collection of online posts or updates associated with a specific social-media account, in reverse chronological order.”</p> <p><strong>18. Tweet</strong></p> <p>Then: “the weak chirp of a young or small bird.”</p> <p>Now: “a very short message posted on the Twitter website.”</p> <p><strong>19. Unplug</strong></p> <p>Then: “to disconnect by pulling the plug from it or from a power socket.”</p> <p>Now: “to refrain from using digital or electronic devices for a period of time.”</p> <p><strong>20. Viral</strong></p> <p>Then: “relating to or caused by a virus.”</p> <p>Now: “becoming very popular by circulating quickly from person to person, especially through the Internet.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong> </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="../lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/inside-a-1950s-tea-factory/">Inside a tea factory from the 50s</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="../lifestyle/family-pets/2015/12/vintage-beach-photos/">Vintage beach photos to get you in the summer mood</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="../lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/grandparents-make-grandchildren-happy-study/">Why the grandparent grandchild relationship is important for happiness</a></em></strong></span></p>

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The unusual new words and phrases being considered by the Macquarie Dictionary

<p dir="ltr">Macquarie Dictionary has unveiled their words of the month, with each of them going into the running to be 2023 Word of the Year and possibly included in their next edition. </p> <p dir="ltr">The words and phrases have largely been submitted by the public, with five unique phrases being crowned the words of the month. </p> <p dir="ltr">The words of the month include the phrases gendy nooch, cozzie livs, tiger toast, password child and murder noodle.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the dictionary, the term “gendy nooch” is a shortening of gender-neutral, which means something not relating or specific to a particular gender.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">An online shortening of gender-neutral to become 'gendy nooch' is gaining traction. Find more new words here. <a href="https://t.co/rO6OF4QuRK">https://t.co/rO6OF4QuRK</a> <a href="https://t.co/3QkYLiNLEA">pic.twitter.com/3QkYLiNLEA</a></p> <p>— Macquarie Dictionary (@MacqDictionary) <a href="https://twitter.com/MacqDictionary/status/1648861592421801987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Cozzie livs” has quickly become slang for the ongoing cost of living crisis, which has been affecting most Australians in 2023. </p> <p dir="ltr">The phrase has become a classic Aussie way of downplaying a quite serious matter.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">The words on everybody's lips these days, the 'cost of living'. But have you ever called it the cozzie livs (crisis)? More new words at the link. <a href="https://t.co/rO6OF4QuRK">https://t.co/rO6OF4QuRK</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZXdOhwNdkv">pic.twitter.com/ZXdOhwNdkv</a></p> <p>— Macquarie Dictionary (@MacqDictionary) <a href="https://twitter.com/MacqDictionary/status/1646302360254177282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Another phrase that Aussies have been adopting more is the patriotic concept of “tiger toast”, which refers to "toast with a topping of Vegemite and strips of cheese" according to the dictionary.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Password child” is another new phrase recognised by the dictionary, meaning "a child favoured over their siblings, as shown by the use of their name in the parent's online passwords".</p> <p dir="ltr">The final top pick for April words of the month is “murder noodle”, which refers to "a snake, especially one that is venomous".</p> <p dir="ltr">Each of these phrases has now gone in the running to be crowned the 2023 Word of the Year, which the Macquarie Dictionary awards each year to a phrase that has seamlessly been integrated into the Aussie vocabulary. </p> <p dir="ltr">The 2022 Word of the Year was Teal, defined by the dictionary as "a political candidate who holds generally ideologically moderate views, but who supports strong action regarding environmental and climate action policies, and the prioritising of integrity in politics (so called as many of the candidates use the colour teal in their electoral material)”.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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10 almost-extinct words you should start using right away

<p><strong>Embrangle</strong></p> <p>Definition: To embroil, confuse, or entangle.</p> <p>Usage: Mother’s plants dangled, I got embrangled, and now I have two sprained ankles.</p> <p><strong>Snollygoster</strong></p> <p>Definition: A shrewd, selfish person, especially a politician.</p> <p>Usage: Next January, the local council voters might elect a snollygoster as a Mayor.</p> <p><strong>Fubsy</strong></p> <p>Definition: Chubby or squat.</p> <p>Usage: Despite my new year’s health resolutions, holiday leftovers kept me fubsy well into March.</p> <p><strong>Recrement</strong></p> <p>Definition: waste matter; scum.</p> <p>Usage: Sanitation workers were understandably cross when my medieval role-play group started dumping their recrement directly into the street.</p> <p><strong>Skirr</strong></p> <p>Definition: A whirring sound, as of the wings of birds in flight.</p> <p>Usage: We heard a mighty skirr overhead when the pigeons left their roost, followed by a plop, followed by an expletive.</p> <p><strong>Frutescent</strong></p> <p>Definition: Resembling or assuming the form of a shrub.</p> <p>Usage: A few weeks without a haircut and my poodle looks positively frutescent.</p> <p><strong>Muliebrity</strong></p> <p>Definition: The condition of being a woman; femininity.</p> <p>Usage: Frank was banned from the sorority due to his remarkable lack of muliebrity.</p> <p><strong>Agrestic</strong></p> <p>Definition: Rural; rustic.</p> <p>Usage: My grandfather had a very agrestic upbringing; his schoolteacher was a horse.</p> <p><strong>Exuviate</strong></p> <p>Definition: To shed; cast off.</p> <p>Usage: It becomes harder to exuviate a bad reputation after you’ve exuviated your pants in public.</p> <p><strong>Skedaddle</strong></p> <p>Definition: To leave a place suddenly.</p> <p>Usage: “Paris is so over,” the hipster bemoaned. “Let’s skedaddle to Amsterdam.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/culture/10-almost-extinct-words-you-should-start-using-right-away" target="_blank">Reader's Digest</a>.</em></p>

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Students’ removal of Queen’s photo causes ire

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Students in the UK have caused a stir after voting to remove a photograph of the Queen from their university common room.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Postgraduate students at Magdalen College, Oxford, voted to take down the print, with minutes from the meeting noting that “for some students depictions of the monarch and the British monarchy represent recent colonial history.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The move drew criticism from UK Education secretary Gavin Williamson, who tweeted: “Oxford university students removing a picture of the Queen is simply absurd. She is the head of state and a symbol of what is best about the UK. During her long reign she has worked tirelessly to promote British values of tolerance, inclusivity and respect around the world.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a swift response, Dinah Rose, the president of Magdalen College, defended the decision and wrote: “Here are some facts about Magdalen College and HM the Queen. The Middle Common Room is an organisation of graduate students. They don’t represent the College. A few years ago, in 2013 they bought a print of the Queen to decorate their common room.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“They recently voted to take it down. Both of these decisions are their own to take, not the College’s. Magdalen strongly supports free speech and political debate and the MCR’s right to autonomy.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She added: “Being a student is about more than studying. It’s about exploring and debating ideas. It’s sometimes about provoking the older generation. Looks like that isn’t so hard to do these days.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rose also said the print would be safely stored in the event the students vote to put the print up once more.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Matthew Katzman, Magdalen’s MCR president, told the </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Daily Telegraph</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">: “It has been taken down. It was decided to leave the common room neutral. That was what this was about. The college will have plenty of depictions of various things but the common room is meant to be a space for all to feel welcome.” </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Magdalen College, Theroyalfamily / Instagram</span></em></p>

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5 funniest words added to the dictionary in the last decade

<p>Language is used to decipher the world in which we live, and that world is ever-changing. So are the words we use to describe it. Dictionaries keep track of words that are important enough to make the cut, including the seemingly strange ones that are culturally relevant at a certain point in time. In the past decade, some of those words have been downright funny. Why? Elin Asklöv, a language expert at Babbel, explains it’s because “we have a feeling they’re made up, and it’s funny to see them in a serious context in a dictionary, when in reality, all words are made up.” Here are a few recent additions to some very serious dictionaries that might surprise you – and make you giggle.</p> <p><strong>Meh</strong></p> <p>In our fast-paced, tech-driven world, it can be tempting to shorten your words, especially when writing online. Social media has a big influence on language, according to Asklöv. Meh is essentially the verbal equivalent of shrugging. It might sound surprising that such a meh word was added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, but Asklöv isn’t surprised. “A lot of the words they’re adding come from informal settings, like through social media,” she explains. “It then travels to other types of media, gains popularity and becomes common enough to be added to the dictionary.”</p> <p><strong>Twerking</strong></p> <p>Merriam-Webster, which added this word in 2015, defines twerking as “sexually suggestive dancing characterised by rapid, repeated hip thrusts and shaking of the buttocks especially while squatting.” That may be the least hip way to describe twerking, says Kevin Lockett, author of The Digital Handbook 2020. But despite the clinical definition of the dance that was popularised by Miley Cyrus, Lockett gives kudos to the dictionary for including the word at all. After all, even though it seems like a silly thing to put in a formal book of language, twerking has – for better or worse – been culturally important to an entire generation.</p> <p><strong>Bromance</strong></p> <p>This word melds bro and romance to encapsulate “a close non-sexual friendship between men,” according to Merriam-Webster. Bromances are categorised by back-slap hugs and exchanges of “I love you, man,” with the emphasis on man. Asklöv points out that from a traditional gender-role perspective, the concept of a bromance is comical – and maybe a bit mocking. Right or wrong, that’s because it characterises a close relationship and emotions that men typically (or, rather, stereotypically) don’t show. But once a bromance is official, men can let their friendship flag fly.</p> <p><strong>Coot</strong></p> <p>This word has two meanings: an aquatic bird and an eccentric old man. The nature of the bird – small and unassuming – has been adopted to describe an older person of simple manners. But it’s usually used in conjunction with the word crazy, so it’s not quite as innocuous as that definition may sound. If you see such a person talking to himself near the coot pond, don’t worry – he’s just a crazy old coot. Although this word has been in existence since the 15th century, it was only added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2014.</p> <p><strong>Scrumdiddlyumptious</strong></p> <p>You might be able to guess what this word means, but let’s see what the experts have to say. “Extremely scrumptious, excellent, splendid; (esp. of food) delicious” is how the Oxford English Dictionary defines it. This word was first used by novelist Roald Dahl and popularised in <em>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</em>, and it was added to the dictionary in 2016.</p> <p><em>Written by Isabelle Tavares. This article first appeared in </em><a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/our-language/12-funniest-words-added-to-the-dictionary-in-the-last-decade?slide=all"><em>Reader’s Digest</em></a><em>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, </em><a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRN93V"><em> our best subscription offer.</em></a></p>

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51 commonly misused words

<p>A linguist from Harvard University has released a book on reading and writing trends in the 21st century, including a list of 51 words and phrases that are commonly misused.</p> <p>Steven Pinker’s work, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Sense-Style-Thinking-Persons/dp/1846145503" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Sense of Style</strong></span></a>, is reminiscent of the Strunk and White classic <em>The Elements of Style</em>, but updated with linguistic turns for a contemporary audience.</p> <p>To see the full list as republished <span>in </span>The Telegraph UK scroll down!</p> <p>While everyone is guilty of a few of these it’s important not to beat yourself up over it, especially when so many elements of grammar are up to interpretation.</p> <p><span><strong>1. Adverse</strong> </span>means detrimental and does not mean averse or disinclined.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “There were adverse effects.” / “I’m not averse to doing that.”</p> <p><strong>2. Appraise</strong> means to ascertain the value of and does not mean to apprise or to inform.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “I appraised the jewels.” / “I apprised him of the situation.”</p> <p><strong>3. As far as</strong> means the same as but cannot be used the same way as as for.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “As far as the money is concerned ...” / “As for the money ...”</p> <p><strong>4. Begs the question </strong>means assumes what it should be proving and does not mean raises the question.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “When I asked the dealer why I should pay more for the German car, he said I would be getting ‘German quality’, but that just begs the question.”</p> <p><strong>5. Bemused</strong> means bewildered and does not mean amused.</p> <p><span><strong>Correct:</strong> </span>“The unnecessarily complex plot left me bemused.” / “The silly comedy amused me.”</p> <p><strong>6. Cliché </strong>is a noun and is not an adjective.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “Shakespeare used a lot of clichés.” / “The plot was so clichéd.”</p> <p><span><strong>7. Credible</strong> </span>means believable and does not mean credulous or gullible.</p> <p><strong>Correct use: </strong>“His sales pitch was not credible.” / “The con man took advantage of credulous people.”</p> <p><strong>8. Criteria</strong> is the plural, not the singular of criterion.</p> <p><strong>Correct:</strong> “These are important criteria.”</p> <p><strong>9. Data </strong>is a plural count noun not a mass noun. Note: “Data is rarely used as a plural today, just as candelabra and agenda long ago ceased to be plurals,” Pinker writes. “But I still like it.”</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “This datum supports the theory, but many of the other data refute it.”</p> <p><strong>10. Depreciate</strong> means to decrease in value and does not mean to deprecate or to disparage. </p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “My car has depreciated a lot over the years.” / “She deprecated his efforts.”</p> <p><strong>11. Dichotomy</strong> means two mutually exclusive alternatives and does not mean difference or discrepancy.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “There is a dichotomy between even and odd numbers.” / “There is a discrepancy between what we see and what is really there.”</p> <p><strong>12. Disinterested</strong> means unbiased and does not mean uninterested.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “The dispute should be resolved by a disinterested judge.” / “Why are you so uninterested in my story?”</p> <p><strong>13. Enervate</strong> means to sap or to weaken and does not mean to energise.</p> <p><span><strong>Correct use:</strong> </span>“That was an enervating rush hour commute.” / “That was an energising cappuccino.”</p> <p><strong>14. Enormity</strong> means extreme evil and does not mean enormousness. [Note: It is acceptable to use it to mean a deplorable enormousness.]</p> <p><strong>15. Flaunt</strong> means to show off and does not mean to flout.</p> <p><span><strong>Correct use:</strong> </span>“She flaunted her abs.” / “She flouted the rules.”</p> <p><strong>16. Flounder</strong> means to flop around ineffectually and does not mean to founder or to sink to the bottom.</p> <p><strong>17. Fortuitous</strong> means coincidental or unplanned and does not mean fortunate.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “Running into my old friend was fortuitous.” / “It was fortunate that I had a good amount of savings after losing my job.”</p> <p><strong>18. Fulsome </strong>means unctuous, excessively or insincerely complimentary and does not mean full or copious.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “She didn’t believe his fulsome love letter.” / “The bass guitar had a full sound.”</p> <p><strong>19. Homogeneous</strong> is pronounced as homo-genius and “homogenous” is not a word but a corruption of homogenised.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “The population was not homogeneous; it was a melting pot.”</p> <p><span><strong>20. Hone</strong> </span>means to sharpen and does not mean to home in on or to converge upon.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “She honed her writing skills.” / “We’re homing in on a solution.”</p> <p><strong>21. Hot</strong><span><strong>button</strong> </span>means an emotional, divisive controversy and does not mean a hot topic.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “She tried to stay away from the hot button of abortion.” / “Drones are a hot topic in the tech world.”</p> <p><strong>22. Hung</strong> means suspended and does not mean suspended from the neck until dead.</p> <p><span><strong>Correct use:</strong> </span>“I hung the picture on my wall.” / “The prisoner was hanged.”</p> <p><span><strong>23. Intern</strong> </span>(verb) means to detain or to imprison and does not mean to inter or to bury.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “The rebels were interned in the military jail.” / “The king was interred with his jewels.”</p> <p><strong>24. Ironic</strong> means uncannily incongruent and does not mean inconvenient or unfortunate.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “It was ironic that I forgot my textbook on human memory.” / “It was unfortunate that I forgot my textbook the night before the quiz.”</p> <p><strong>25. Irregardless</strong> is not a word but a portmanteau of regardless and irrespective. [Note: Pinker acknowledges that certain schools of thought regard “irregardless” as simply non-standard, but he insists it should not even be granted that.]</p> <p><strong>26. Literally</strong> means in actual fact and does not mean figuratively.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “I didn’t mean for you to literally run over here.” / “I’d rather die than listen to another one of his lectures — figuratively speaking, of course!”</p> <p><strong>27. Luxuriant</strong> means abundant or florid and does not mean luxurious.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “The poet has a luxuriant imagination.” / “The car’s fine leather seats were luxurious.”</p> <p><strong>28. Meretricious</strong> means tawdry or offensively insincere and does not mean meritorious.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “We rolled our eyes at the meretricious speech.” / “The city applauded the meritorious mayor.”</p> <p><span><strong>29. Mitigate</strong> </span>means to alleviate and does not mean to militate or to provide reasons for.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “The spray should mitigate the bug problem.” / “Their inconceivable differences will militate against the treaty.”</p> <p><strong>30. New Age</strong> means spiritualistic, holistic and does not mean modern, futuristic.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “He is a fan of New Age mindfulness techniques.” / “That TV screen is made from a high-end modern glass.”</p> <p><strong>31. Noisome</strong> means smelly and does not mean noisy.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “I covered my nose when I walked past the noisome dump.” / “I covered my ears when I heard the noisy motorcycle speed by.”</p> <p><strong>32. Nonplussed</strong> means stunned, bewildered and does not mean bored, unimpressed.</p> <p><strong>Correct use: </strong>“The market crash left the experts nonplussed.” / “His market pitch left the investors unimpressed.”</p> <p><strong>33. Opportunism</strong> means seizing or exploiting opportunities and does not mean creating or promoting opportunities.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “His opportunism brought him to the head of the company.” / “The party ran on promoting economic opportunities for the middle class.”</p> <p><strong>34. Parameter</strong> means a variable and does not mean a boundary condition, a limit.</p> <p><strong>Correct use: </strong>“The forecast is based on parameters like inflation and interest rates.” / “We need to work within budgetary limits.”</p> <p><strong>35. Phenomena</strong> is a plural count noun, not a mass noun.</p> <p><strong>Correct use: </strong>“The phenomenon was intriguing, but it was only one of many phenomena gathered by the telescope.”</p> <p><strong>36. Politically correct</strong> means dogmatically left-liberal and does not mean fashionable, trendy. [Note: Pinker considers its contemporary roots as a pejorative term by American and British conservatives, not its more casual use as meaning inoffensive.]</p> <p><strong>37. Practicable </strong>means easily put into practice and does not mean practical.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “His French was practicable in his job, which required frequent trips to Paris.” / “Learning French before taking the job was a practical decision.”</p> <p><strong>38. Proscribe</strong> means to condemn, to forbid and does not mean to prescribe, to recommend, to direct.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “The policy proscribed employees from drinking at work.” / “The doctor prescribed an antibiotic.”</p> <p><strong>39. Protagonist </strong>means active character and does not mean proponent.</p> <p><strong>Correct use: </strong>“Vito Corleone was the protagonist in <span>The Godfather</span>.” / “He is a proponent of solar energy.”</p> <p><strong>40. Refute</strong> means to prove to be false and does not mean to allege to be false, to try to refute. [Note: That is, it must be used only in factual cases.]</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “His work refuted the theory that the Earth was flat.”</p> <p><strong>41. Reticent </strong>means shy, restrained and does not mean reluctant.</p> <p><strong>Correct use: </strong>“He was too reticent to ask her out.” / “When rain threatens, fans are reluctant to buy tickets to the ball game.”</p> <p><strong>42. Shrunk, sprung, stunk, and sunk</strong> are used in the past participle, not the past tense.</p> <p><strong>Correct use: </strong>“I’ve shrunk my shirt.” / “I shrank my shirt.”</p> <p><strong>43. Simplistic </strong>means naively or overly simple and does not mean simple or pleasingly simple.</p> <p><strong>Correct use: </strong>“His simplistic answer suggested he wasn’t familiar with the material.” / “She liked the chair’s simple look.”</p> <p><strong>44. Staunch</strong> means loyal, sturdy and does not mean to stanch a flow.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “Her staunch supporters defended her in the press.” / “The nurse was able to stanch the bleeding.”</p> <p><strong>45. Tortuous </strong>means twisting and does not mean torturous.</p> <p><strong>Correct use: </strong>“The road through the forest was tortuous.” / “Watching their terrible acting for two hours was a torturous experience.”</p> <p><strong>46. Unexceptionable</strong> means not worthy of objection and does not mean unexceptional, ordinary.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “No one protested her getting the prize, because she was an unexceptionable choice.” / “They protested her getting the prize, because she was an unexceptional choice.”</p> <p><strong>47. Untenable </strong>means indefensible or unsustainable and does not mean painful or unbearable.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “Now that all the facts have been revealed, that theory is untenable.” / “Her death brought him unbearable sadness.”</p> <p><strong>48. Urban legend</strong> means an intriguing and widely circulated but false story and does not mean someone who is legendary in a city.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “Alligators in the sewers is an urban legend.” / “Al Capone was a legendary gangster in Chicago.”</p> <p><strong>49. Verbal</strong> means in linguistic form and does not mean oral, spoken.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “Visual memories last longer than verbal ones.”</p> <p><strong>50. An effect </strong>means an influence. While to effect means to put into effect, to affect means either to influence or to fake.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “They had a big effect on my style.” / “The law effected changes at the school.” / “They affected my style.” / “He affected an air of sophistication to impress her parents.”</p> <p><span><strong>51. To lie</strong> (intransitive: lies, lay, has lain)</span> means to recline; to lay (transitive: lays, laid, has laid) means to set down; to lie (intransitive: lies, lied, has lied) means to fib.</p> <p><strong>Correct use:</strong> “He lies on the couch all day.” / “He lays a book upon the table.” / “He lies about what he does.”</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2015/12/typewriters-are-making-a-comeback/"><strong>Why typewriters could be making a comeback</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2015/12/harrison-ford-irreplaceable-as-indiana-jones/"><strong>Spielberg says “Harrison Ford the only Indiana Jones”</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2015/12/clever-cleaning-tips/"><strong>Clever cleaning tips that will change the way you do housework</strong></a></em></span></p>

Books

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Oxford University creates map of “touch” acceptability

<p>Touch is incredibly personal and it can be hard to know what others’ boundaries are. A recent study from the University of Oxford reveals some interesting truths about acceptability.</p> <p>The study used more than 1,300 men and women from five countries: the UK, Finland, France, Italy and Russia. It asked them to colour in areas on a diagram of the human body where they would feel comfortable being touched by different people, like a romantic partner, friend or stranger. Their answers were used to create a colour coded ‘map’ of the body, which ranked acceptability by relationship and area.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="499" height="800" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/34266/touch-acceptability_499x800.jpg" alt="Touch Acceptability"/> </p> <p>Some of the results were unsurprising. Both sexes felt largely uncomfortable being touched by strangers, except on very neutral parts of their bodies like arms and shoulders. Women were more uncomfortable to be touched by male strangers or acquaintances than men were. And everyone agreed that few people outside of partners or close family members should touch them anywhere near their private parts.</p> <p>Researchers found that touch is an important means of maintaining social relationships, even at a time when we are increasingly communicating through the internet or mobile devices. The acceptability of touch is closely associated with the pleasure caused by touching. The greater the pleasure caused by touching an area, the more selective we are in allowing others to touch it.</p> <p>The study also showed that while touch is universal, the context of the relationship between two parties is the key factor in the interpretation of it. For example, we may perceive a certain kind of touch from a close friend as comforting, while the same action from a stranger would be unwelcome. These relationships are not always dictated by time either. A friend we have not seen for a long time would be able to touch us differently to a workmate who we see every day.</p> <p>And it revealed some interesting national traits around touch. The British were the least comfortable with physical touch while the Finns were the most. Italians, usually considered to be a very emotive, physical people in general, were only slightly more comfortable with it than the Brits.</p> <p>What do you think of the research? Share your thoughts in the comments below. </p>

Relationships

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The logic you need to get into Oxford University

<p>Find out if you have the sort of logic needed to get into Oxford University.</p> <p>For his <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/nov/07/can-you-solve-it-would-you-get-into-oxbridge">latest fortnightly puzzle in The Guardian</a></strong></span>, British writer Alex Bellos has posed a question from the 2012 Oxford mathematics admissions test.</p> <p>It's all about the colour of hats being worn by three expert logicians sitting in a row.</p> <p>In each of five scenarios, their father puts either red or blue hats on their heads. Alice can see Bob's and Charlie's hats, but not her own. Bob can see only Charlie's hat. Charlie can see none of the hats. </p> <p>1. Their father puts a hat on each of their heads and says: "Each of your hats is either red or blue. At least one of you has a red hat." Alice then says "I know the colour of my hat." What colour is each person's hat?</p> <p>2. Their father puts a new hat on each of their heads and again says: "Each of your hats is either red or blue. At least one of you has a red hat." Alice then says "I don't know the colour of my hat." Bob then says "I don't know the colour of my hat." What colour is Charlie's hat?</p> <p>3. Their father puts a new hat on each of their heads and says: "Each of your hats is either red or blue. At least one of you has a red hat, and at least one of you has a blue hat." Alice says "I know the colour of my hat." Bob then says "Mine is red." What colour is each person's hat?</p> <p>4. Their father puts a new hat on each of their heads and says: "Each of your hats is either red or blue. At least one of you has a red hat, and at least one of you has a blue hat." Alice then says "I don't know the colour of my hat." Bob then says "My hat is red". What colour is Charlie's hat?</p> <p>5. Their father puts a new hat on each of their heads and says: "Each of your hats is either red or blue. Two of you who are seated adjacently both have red hats." Alice then says "I don't know the colour of my hat." What colour is Charlie's hat?</p> <p>Bellos asked readers to submit only the colour of Charlie's hat.</p> <p>He said the test was set by Oxford for applicants to computer science, mathematics &amp; computer science, and computer science &amp; philosophy.</p> <p>Successful applicants scored 4.73 on average out of five, so it was a good idea to get all the answers right.</p> <p>Of those who tried to answer the puzzle in The Guardian, about 80 per cent got each question right, Bellos said.</p> <p>Logic puzzles about people who are wearing hats but can only see other people's hats date to the 1930s.</p> <p><strong>SPOILER ALERT:</strong><br /> The answers follow, so don't read any further unless you're sure you're ready.</p> <p>1. Alice's hat is red, and the others are blue. It must be that Alice can see that neither of the others has a red hat, so can deduce the colour of her own. Charlie's hat is blue. 83.2 per cent of those who responded to The Guardian column got the colour of Charlie's hat correct.</p> <p>2. Alice must be able to see a red hat, or would be able to deduce the colour of her own hat. Likewise, Bob must be able to see a red hat, or would be able to deduce the colour of his own hat (given Alice's answer). Hence Charlie's hat is red - 74.1 per cent got it right.</p> <p>3. Alice must be able to see two hats of the same colour in order to deduce the colour of her hat. Bob knows this, and so deduces his hat is the same colour as Charlie's. Hence Alice's hat is blue, and Bob's and Charlie's are red - 78.8 per cent were correct.</p> <p>4. Alice must be able to see two hats of opposite colours, or else she would be able to deduce her own hat colour. Bob knows this, so deduces his hat is a different colour from Charlie's. Hence Charlie's hat is blue - 89.2 per cent were right.</p> <p>5. If Bob and Charlie had different colour hats, Alice would know that she and Bob both had red hats. Therefore Bob and Charlie both have red hats - 82.7 per cent right.</p> <p><em>First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz.</span></strong></a></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2017/01/childrens-logic-puzzle-stumps-adults/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>The children’s logic puzzle stumping adults</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2017/01/can-you-solve-these-5-tricky-riddles/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Can you solve these 5 tricky riddles?</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2016/07/are-you-ever-too-old-to-train-your-brain/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Are you ever too old to train your brain?</strong></em></span></a></p>

Mind

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Merriam-Webster adds abbreviations to dictionary

<p>Among the 2,000 new entries to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged edition of the dictionary was a series of abbreviations that say a lot about the word we live in. Apparently letters now count as words in a dictionary. The most popular additions include:</p> <ul> <li>FOMO <em>n, informa</em>l: "Fear of missing out." The anxiety caused by not being included in something (such as an interesting or enjoyable activity) that others are experiencing</li> <li>ICYMI <em>abbr</em>: "In case you missed it." Used to draw attention to something published or posted online earlier</li> <li>TMI <em>abbr</em>: "Too much information."</li> </ul> <p>If you’re shaking your head in disapproval, take heart that the editors judged these abbreviations seriously, only allowing it onto the pages of the dictionary if it had made a significant mark on language and would likely endure in the future.</p> <p>"It doesn't happen quickly – we monitored many of these words for years before they'd met our criteria for entry – and it's pushed by various fields and endeavours," the company said on their website.</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/books/2016/03/best-selling-books-of-all-time/"><em>Best-selling books of all time</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/books/2016/03/best-crime-books/"><em>5 crime books you need to read</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/books/2016/03/top-influential-books-of-all-time/"><em>7 of the top influential books of all time</em></a></strong></span></p>

News

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The word that was invented the year of your birth

<p>The Oxford English Dictionary has created an online “birthday word” generation where you can find out which word came into use in the year you were born.</p> <p>Any year from 1900 to 2004 can be searched to find out which word had the first known usages in that year. For example, if you were born in 1953 your “birthday word” is frenemy (A person with whom one is friendly, despite a fundamental dislike or rivalry; a person who combines the characteristics of a friend and an enemy), whereas if you were born in 1948, the word was TV.</p> <p>We’ve compiled the birthday words from the year from 1936 to 1956 below. To find out more years visit the <a href="http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2013/12/oed-birthday-words/" target="_blank"><strong>Oxford English Dictionary site here.</strong></a></p> <p><strong><img width="659" height="591" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/15635/birthday-words_659x591.jpg" alt="Birthday Words"/></strong></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2016/01/age-proof-your-brain/">8 ways to age-proof your brain</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2016/01/clever-ways-to-remember-almost-anything/">Clever ways to remember almost anything</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2016/01/how-to-get-out-of-a-mental-rut/">7 mental shifts to get yourself out of a rut</a></em></strong></span></p>

News

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How to correctly pronounce tricky foods

<p>Wannabe foodies need never blush when ordering quinoa or inquiring after edamame, now a British food co-operative has collaborated with the guardians of the English language to produce a guide for commonly mispronounced foods.</p> <p>The Oxford English Dictionary's (OED) head of pronunciation Catherine Sangster told The Independent her team monitored how English speakers pronounced the name of a foreign food or drink that had become popular.</p> <p>"Some speakers will want to say the name in a completely authentic manner, matching the original language, and other speakers will be influenced by the spelling or prefer to anglicise the sounds," she said.</p> <p>"In the dictionary, we give pronunciations that are accurate and also reflect the reality of how the word is being spoken."</p> <p><strong>The list devised by Co-operative Food and the OED:</strong></p> <p> 1. Tzatziki - "tsat-si-key"</p> <p>2. Bouillabaisse - "boo-yah-behss"</p> <p>3. Ceviche - "seh-bee-tche"</p> <p>4. Parmigiano Reggiano - "par-mee-djah-no rehd-djah-no"</p> <p>5. Edamame - "ed-a-mar-mei"</p> <p>6. Acai - "ah-sigh-ee"</p> <p>7. Nicoise - "ni-swaz"</p> <p>8. Chipotle - "chi-poat-lay"</p> <p>9. Manchego - "man-chay-go"</p> <p>10. Prosciutto - "pro-shoot-tow"</p> <p>11. Crudites - "krew-dee-tay"</p> <p>12. Gnocchi - "nyohk-kee"</p> <p>13. Quinoa - "keen-wah"</p> <p>14. Habanero - "habe-a-ne-reu"</p> <p>15. Maraschino - "ma-ra-skeeno"</p> <p>16. Bouillon - "bo-yon"</p> <p>17. Rioja - "ree-o-ha"</p> <p>18. Halloumi - "ha-lu-mi"</p> <p>19. Anise - "an-is"</p> <p>20. Guacamole - "gwah-kah-moh-leh"</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/2015/06/smooth-hummus/">Smooth hummus dip</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/2015/05/crab-cakes/">Crab cakes with dill mayonnaise</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/2015/04/crusted-fish-fillets/">Parsley and macadamia-crusted fish fillets</a></em></strong></span></p>

News

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20 common phrases most people use incorrectly

<p>Courtesy of online company Knowingly’s error-detecting tool Correctica, here’s a list of the most common mistake people make.</p> <p>1. Incorrect: Hone in</p> <p>Correct: Home in</p> <p>2. Incorrect: For all intensive purposes</p> <p>Correct: For all intents and purposes</p> <p>3. Incorrect: Case and point</p> <p>Correct: Case in point</p> <p>4. Incorrect: Wet your appetite</p> <p>Correct: Whet your appetite</p> <p>5. Incorrect: Peaked by interest</p> <p>Correct: Piqued my interest</p> <p>6. Incorrect: Emigrated to</p> <p>Correct: Immigrated to</p> <p>7. Incorrect: By in large</p> <p>Correct: By and large</p> <p>8. Incorrect: First come, first serve</p> <p>Correct: First come, first served</p> <p>9. Incorrect: I could care less</p> <p>Correct: I couldn’t care less</p> <p>10. Incorrect: Sneak peak</p> <p>Correct: Sneak peek</p> <p>11. Incorrect: Prostrate cancer</p> <p>Correct: Prostate cancer</p> <p>12. Incorrect: Shoe-in</p> <p>Correct: Shoo-in</p> <p>13. Incorrect: Do diligence</p> <p>Correct: Due diligence</p> <p>14. Incorrect: Make due</p> <p>Correct: Make do</p> <p>15. Incorrect: One in the same</p> <p>Correct: One and the same</p> <p>16. Incorrect: Piece of mind</p> <p>Correct: Peace of mind</p> <p>17. Incorrect: Baited breath</p> <p>Correct: Bated breath</p> <p>18. Incorrect: Extract revenge</p> <p>Correct: Exact revenge</p> <p>19. Incorrect: Deep-seeded</p> <p>Correct: Deep-seated</p> <p>20. Incorrect: Slight of hand</p> <p>Correct: Sleight of hand</p>

News