Summary: In this post, I take this opportunity to share what I've recently learned with you. With whom will you share your new knowledge?
Last week, I attended a roundtable discussion for local small business owners. The moderator of the event did an excellent job of keeping us all on-track as a group and making sure that, as individuals, we had ample opportunity to share our thoughts and questions.
She also caught my attention immediately. And if you've ever read this blog (or met me) before, you won't be surprised when I tell you how: Her first words were, "How many of you are familiar with the word panacea?" I sat up at attention. Until her lesson, I was only generally familiar with the word. I mispronounced it (even there in front of my peers) and I had its definition wrong! In my mind, I put the accent on the second syllable. Even now, I must confess, it's going to be hard to remember not to do that. And I knew it had something to do with--well, everything--but I didn't know exactly what.
In actuality, this is the definition and pronunciation:
Panacea (PAN - uh - SEE - uh) - (n.) a cure-all. From two Greek words, pan (all) and akos (remedy), this Latin word earned its English usage around 1548. Conjugating this word follows basic grammar guidelines, such as panacean as the adjective form.
Just for fun, I Googled the word using the news option to seek out its most popular current uses. Here are some examples that I found:
"... to suggest that more Republicans on Capitol Hill will be some kind of panacea for the economy and the stock market is simply delusional." - Michael K. Farr, CNBC contributor
"(Retail Distribution Review) clearly presents a huge opportunity for the investment trust industry, but it is not going to be of itself a panacea or a reason for investment trusts to surge ahead." - Richard Pavry, Director of Investment Trusts, Jupiter Asset Management
"... science's many groundbreaking and and life-changing discoveries led some people to think science was a 'panacea' and that science might be able to 'answer all of the questions of man's existence, and even his aspirations' ...." - Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service writer, quoting Pope Benedict XVI
"Understand that whomever you decide to vote for in this election, the winner will not be panacea to everything that is wrong with the economy." - Lynn (Massachusetts) Journal staff writers
"With data capping labeled undesirable by consumers and unlimited data plans financially unsustainable for carriers, load balancing with Wi-Fi is at least a partial panacea." - Dave Fraser, contributor to Converge! Network Digest
This last quote is probably my favorite, simply because of its oxymoronic nature. ... And, yes, it's okay to ask what that means or to simply look it up! Don't stay in the dark like I apparently did.
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Showing posts with label oxymoron. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oxymoron. Show all posts
Nov 1, 2010
May 31, 2010
WORD OF THE WEEK: Oxymoron
Summary: What did you just call me? Oh, wait, that's oxymoron--not a put-down (at least not directly), but a word to describe ... well, read on and find out for yourself.
In Friday's post, I gave you a sneak peek of this week's word: oxymoron. In fact, I used it in a sentence and even conjugated it. (Don't recall? Click the link!)
Today, I give you the breakdown of the definition, pronunciation and etymology, as well as the type of word it is (an adjective). If you're reading Beyond Talk for the first time, it may interest you to know that this is standard operating procedure here on Mondays--even on holidays! There's nothing contradictory about that.
Oxymoron (AHKS - ee - MOR - ahn) - (adj.) Entering English in the 1650s from the Greek words oxys, meaning sharp or keen, and moros, or foolish, the word itself fits its own definition. An oxymoron is a combination of words that completely contradict each other--"tough love"--or a concept that's made up of incongruous elements, like "kill them with kindness."
For even more examples, visit Fun-with-Words.com.
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
In Friday's post, I gave you a sneak peek of this week's word: oxymoron. In fact, I used it in a sentence and even conjugated it. (Don't recall? Click the link!)
Today, I give you the breakdown of the definition, pronunciation and etymology, as well as the type of word it is (an adjective). If you're reading Beyond Talk for the first time, it may interest you to know that this is standard operating procedure here on Mondays--even on holidays! There's nothing contradictory about that.
Oxymoron (AHKS - ee - MOR - ahn) - (adj.) Entering English in the 1650s from the Greek words oxys, meaning sharp or keen, and moros, or foolish, the word itself fits its own definition. An oxymoron is a combination of words that completely contradict each other--"tough love"--or a concept that's made up of incongruous elements, like "kill them with kindness."
For even more examples, visit Fun-with-Words.com.
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
May 28, 2010
Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
Just a quick post to say, "Happy Memorial Day Weekend!"
That sentiment may seem oxymoronic to some (yes, that's a preview of next week's special word), but there really is much to celebrate.
Memorial Day is about so much more than a 3-day weekend marked for barbecues and family reunions and catching up on lawn work--and where I come from, the Indianapolis 500 Race. It's really a point in time each year set aside for heartfelt recognition to the men and women who have given their lives to keeping America free. Many parades and graveside ceremonies are held to pay tribute to the fallen ones at this time. It's a very serious occasion.
But it doesn't have to be solely somber. One way to memorialize those who've died in action is to think seriously about what freedom means to you. Making a list and saying a word of thanks on behalf of all those who've gone before us--in so many ways--for each and every item on that list is one way to really honor our war heroes with love and adoration and, most importantly, positivity. Happy Memorial Day to you.
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
That sentiment may seem oxymoronic to some (yes, that's a preview of next week's special word), but there really is much to celebrate.
Memorial Day is about so much more than a 3-day weekend marked for barbecues and family reunions and catching up on lawn work--and where I come from, the Indianapolis 500 Race. It's really a point in time each year set aside for heartfelt recognition to the men and women who have given their lives to keeping America free. Many parades and graveside ceremonies are held to pay tribute to the fallen ones at this time. It's a very serious occasion.
But it doesn't have to be solely somber. One way to memorialize those who've died in action is to think seriously about what freedom means to you. Making a list and saying a word of thanks on behalf of all those who've gone before us--in so many ways--for each and every item on that list is one way to really honor our war heroes with love and adoration and, most importantly, positivity. Happy Memorial Day to you.
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
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