Spark

"The action sparked a massive protest," reads one account in today's news.  Well, what does that mean?

A spark is a tiny flame, the little bits of fire that a welder gives off.  But occasionally, a spark will create a fire--and that's when we say that something "sparked" either a fire, or more metaphorically, a situation.

Like so many of our words, "spark"comes from Middle English--and it's a very common word indeed!

Stumped

"I'm stumped," said a friend in the States, and that got me thinking.  A stump is the remains of something cut off--a tree stump remains when you cut the tree, a stump remains when you amputate an arm or leg.  But where does the term "I'm stumped" come from?

It means to be confused, not to know the answer.  But where does it come from?  Another mystery!  So we're all stumped!

Pander

A news story stated that a person in Wisconsin believes that Governor Walker "panders" to the rich and powerful.
Doesn't sound good--does it?

It's certainly not.  Originally, the word meant to act as a intermediary for a sexual encounter.  Now, the word is used to suggest that someone accedes to and pleases the worst tastes of others.  In short, the person is alleging that Walker will do anything to please the rich.

A strong word indeed!

Stench

The police removed protesters from a park in New York City, because it had a "stench" of urine.  So what does that mean?

A "stench" is a very strong and unpleasant smell.  Like so many of our strong, evocative words, the word "stench" comes from Middle English.  So anything that stinks is--a stench!

Snit

"He went off in a snit," said my friend, and I knew what he meant.  A snit is a fit of temper, an unreasonable anger that makes you look and behave like a child.  Children have tantrums, adults have snits--but they're basically the same.

And where did the word come from?  Another case of origin unknown.  Someone must have invented it, but no one knows.  And you know what?  I bet whoever invented the word is...

...in a snit about that!

Kindle

Most of us know what a Kindle is--it's an electronic book from Amazon, right?  But did you know that "kindle" is an actual word in English?  It means to ignite, to set on fire, and it comes from Middle English through Norse, from a verb meaning--of all things--to give birth.

It's an evocative word--meaning something more than just starting on fire.  It also means to set a spark, and then nurture the flame.  So it's often used metaphorically, as in the sentence "his words kindled a desire in me."

No wonder Amazon chose it for their ebook!

Glum

Investors are glum, reports Reuters.  OK.  Fine.  But what's glum?

 A very nice adjective, from Middle English, meaning depressed, dispirited, pessimistic.  Originally, the word meant "to become dark," and indeed that's it!  But if you don't want to use the word "glum," there are many more words to use--somber, down in the dumps, gloomy....  All good words, meaning a sad, unhappy state of mind.   

Spur

Today's news?  Apparently, a Newsweek article is "spurring" an investigation by the Justice Department.  So what's a spur?  Well, it's the spiked wheel on the boots of horseback riders, and it's used to incite the horse to greater action.

In botany, by extension, the spur is the little seed that attaches to an animal's fur--or your blue jeans.  All this makes sense.  But there's an expression--"spur of the moment."  And it means something done without premeditation or thought.  Why?  Because something "spurs" you to action, and you move quickly.  Just like the horse! 

Gaffe

What happened to Rick Perry last night, at the Republican debate in Michigan?  Well, according to the Huffington Post, he made a "gaffe."

And it's not a good thing.  A gaffe is a mistake, a big mistake, one that makes you look stupid.  It's the equivalent of eating pasta with your boss, and shooting a meatball onto his white shirt....

The word may derive from a word in Old French meaning a boat hook.  Alternatively, it may be from the British slang meaning to cheat or trick.  Origin unclear--says the dictionary.  But wherever it comes from, it's a bad thing.

Meander

The National Hurricane Center reports that Tropical Storm Sean is "meandering" south of Bermuda.  So what does "meander" mean?  Should the people of Bermuda be worried?  Is it a bad thing?

Yes and no.  "Meander" means to move in a turning, winding course.  It's the opposite of "direct."  And not just hurricanes but people can do it.  Every day, people meander through the mall, going here and there.

The word comes from a Greek name for a river that....well, meandered!

Grapple

"I've been grappling with the problem," said a friend, and I knew what she meant.  She was struggling with the problem, trying to understand and resolve it.

What I didn't know, until just now, when I looked it up, is that the word is also a noun.  It's a set of hooks attached to a rope.  When a ship in war want to seize another ship, they throw the grapple to the other ship, and then pull.  See the picture below.

Interesting, isn't it, how one word comes to mean something quite different from what it started as!

Bicker

A headline in Reuters today stated that "Greek Parties Bicker As Europe Demands Clarity."  Great--but what's "bicker?"

It's a kind of argument that's not based on reason, but on small, personal grievances.  To put it simply, it's the kind of argument young children have.  Therefore, the headline suggests that the Greek politicians are not acting as statesmen, but as kids.

It comes from Middle English, from a verb meaning "to attack."  Need I say more? 

Far-flung

The Huffington Post reports "The far-flung movement of protesters challenging the world's economic systems and distribution of wealth has gained momentum in recent weeks...." Great!  But what's far-flung?

Well, as you can guess by context, it means widespread or extensive.  And it's formed from the verb "to fling."  And what's that?  It means to throw, often with some violence.

But wait--there's more.  "Fling" is also a noun, and yes, it can also mean a toss or throw.  But as well, a fling can be an attempt (as in "give it a fling") and....

...a brief romantic relationship!

Slew

A special complexity of the English language is the sheer number of words it has!  Today, I read that the Greek Prime Minister is facing a large number of critics within his own party.  But did the article use the words "a large number?"  No!  Instead, it used the term "a slew of critics...."

By doing so, the writer implied something more than just a large number or amount--which is the definition of "slew."  The word hints at disorder and confusion, as well.  So good luck to the Prime Minister, and to us all if Greece defaults!

Skittish

What's "skittish?" It's an adjective meaning easily excitable.  We frequently use it about an animals--many horses are skittish--but we also use it to describe people.  Today, for example, one story reported that investors are skittish--selling and buying stocks nervously--over the debt crisis in Greece.

And where does the word come from?  Nobody knows for sure, though it may be from Old Norse.  So it's like a lot of words in English: we often don't know the origin of the words we use everyday!  But no matter where it comes from, it's a good word to know.....