A long time ago, I learned the difference between an active and a passive reader. Whenever I come across a word I don’t know, I look it up (active reader). Because I have a poor memory, I soon lost track of all the meanings and it almost seemed like a waste of time. I forgot everything I learned (a habit I picked up in school). What a cool idea, I thought, to keep a log every year of all the fab new words I learn. I could look back on them, see how smart I’ve become, and maybe even use them in my novels when I’m stuck for a new way to say (I suppose I mean write) something. For your indulgence, here are just a few of those words: “cronyism” – improper appointment of friends and associates to positions of authority (that’s bound to come in useful!); “nascent” – just coming into existence, beginning to develop; “eschew” – deliberately avoid doing something (I should already have known that one); “misogynistic” – a man who hates women. That’s it for now. Feel free to tell me some of the interesting words you’ve come across. My characters are always looking for new ways to say things.
I will happily donate cervine, learned it 2 weeks ago. It is to deer what equine is to horses. It is Latin which is cool, and also, deer used to be synonymous for all wild animals. Cattle stood for all domesticated animals, as in chattel.
Oooh, that’s an interesting word. I haven’t heard it before. Isn’t this fun? We’re going to be so smart!!!