A.Word.A.Day--shangri-la

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The Magic of Words

May 12, 2010

This week's theme
Words derived after mythical places

This week's words
utopia
cockaigne
shangri-la

Shangri-la, a still from the film Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)

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A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

Shangri-la

PRONUNCIATION:

(shang-gri-LAH)

MEANING:

noun: An imaginary, idyllic place that is remote and secluded.

ETYMOLOGY:

After Shangri-La, a Tibetan utopia in the novel Lost Horizon (1933) by James Hilton (1900-1954). From Shangri (a coined name) + Tibetan la (mountain pass).

USAGE:

"For just one hour you think you are living in dreamland, a Shangri-La, where if life is not yet quite perfect, it will be very soon."
Simon Hoggart; Budget 2010; The Guardian (London, UK); Mar 25, 2010.

Explore "Shangri-la" in the Visual Thesaurus.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

If the world ever advances beyond what it is today, it must be led by men who express their real opinions. -Robert G. Ingersoll, lawyer and orator (1833-1899)

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