A.Word.A.Day--tmesis

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The Magic of Words

Dec 1, 2010

This week's theme
Words with unusual initial consonants

This week's words
sforzando
kvetch
tmesis

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A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

tmesis

PRONUNCIATION:

(tuh-MEE-sis, TMEE-sis)

MEANING:

noun: Stuffing a word into the middle of another word.
     Examples: a-whole-nother, abso-bloody-lutely.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Greek tmesis (a cutting), from temnein (to cut). Ultimately from the Indo-European root tem- (to cut), which is also the source of tonsure, temple, contemplate, epitome, tome, anatomy, and atomy. First recorded use: 1586.

USAGE:

"I don't like tmesis; it's abso-bloody-lutely ri-flipping-diculous."
Gazza's Decline is a Sad Waste of Talent; Daily Star (London, UK); Oct 25, 2010.

Explore "tmesis" in the Visual Thesaurus.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

Public opinion rarely considers the needs of the next generation or the history of the last. It is frequently hampered by myths and misinformation, by stereotypes and shibboleths, and by an inate resistance to innovation. -Theodore C. Sorensen, presidential advisor, lawyer, and writer (1928-2010)

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