Wordsmith.org | The Magic of Words |
Jun 21, 2010
This week's themeThis week's theme: Words to describe people
This week's words
weathercock
Photo: Arne Koehler
Discuss
Feedback
RSS/XML
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu GargThe French writer and philosopher Albert Camus once said, "Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal." Can you recognize people like that around you? This week's words will help you describe them.
weathercock
PRONUNCIATION:
(WETH-uhr kok)
MEANING:
noun:1. A weathervane, especially one with the figure of a rooster on it.
2. One who changes readily or often.
ETYMOLOGY:
From weather + cock. NOTES:
The words weathercock/weathervane are especially suitable for politicians who change according to prevailing winds. Quebec's legislature has gone so far as to impose a ban on their use. USAGE:
"William was such a weathercock, how could one be sure?"Barbara W. Tuchman; The Guns of August; Random House; 1962.
Explore "weathercock" in the Visual Thesaurus.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
All men -- whether they go by the name of Americans or Russians or Chinese or British or Malayans or Indians or Africans -- have obligations to one another that transcend their obligations to their sovereign societies. -Norman Cousins, author, editor, journalist and professor (1915-1990) Angie's List Find ratings on whom to hire for all your home projects | delanceyplace.com: thinker's daily quote A carefully selected non-fiction book excerpt free to your email each day. |
Books by Anu Garg
© 2010 Wordsmith.org
No comments:
Post a Comment