Word Of The Day

Dudgeon

Dudgeon is typically used in the phrase “in high dudgeon” to describe someone who is angry and offended by something they perceive to be unfair or wrong.

// The customer stormed out of the store in high dudgeon after the manager refused to give them a refund for their purchase.



Attest

1. provide evidence for

2. authenticate; affirm to be true, genuine or correct

3. establish or verify the usage of

4. give testimony in a court of law



Lickety-split

at great speed; rapidly 

Example - The kids cleaned their messy playroom lickety-split when their mother said there was no ice cream allowed until they finished.


Augur

To augur is to show or suggest, especially from omens, that something might happen in the future. Used most often in formal speech or writing, augur is often followed by an adverb, such as well.

// The downturn augurs badly for the success of the business.



Scrupulous

Scrupulous describes someone who is very careful about doing something correctly, or something marked by such carefulness. Scrupulous can also describe someone who is careful about doing what is honest and morally right.

// She was always scrupulous about her work.

// Being an editor requires scrupulous attention to detail.

// Less scrupulous companies find ways to evade the law.



Exasperate

To exasperate someone is to cause them irritation or annoyance, or to make them angry.

// We were all exasperated by the delays.



Beltane

Beltane refers to the Celtic May Day festival.

// Beltane falls each year approximately halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice.



lampoon

Verb - to mock or ridicule with satire
Explanation - To lampoon is to mock or ridicule using satirical humor. Think of a late-night monologue where exaggeration and humor sharpen a critique. A simple parody can be mostly innocent, but lampooning usually stings a bit. 
Example - The columnist lampooned the mayor's never-ending excuses for the city's traffic problems.


Evanescent

Evanescent is a formal and literary word that describes something that only lasts a very short time.

// Our acting coach always reminded us that fame is evanescent, and that we should pursue a life in the theater purely for the love of the art.



Boondoggle

A boondoggle is an expensive and wasteful project usually paid for with public money. Boondoggle is also a word for a braided cord worn by Boy Scouts as a neckerchief slide, hatband, or ornament.

// Critics say the dam is a complete boondoggle—over budget, behind schedule, and unnecessary.