Word of the Day: September 2005 Archives

Caitiff.

I've never heard this word. I've never heard anyone use it; I've never read it. What's more, I've never heard my MOTHER use this word (and, of course, Mother knows everything). It's new to me.

It made me think of Jamie Frasier, in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, but on reflection, while Jamie was miserable in prison, I think he had enough purpose in seeing to the care of his men that you couldn't say he was caitiff. Now, the MEN may have been caitiff.

You learn something every day.

(N.B. When I ran Spell Check, it made no comment about "caitiff.")

Verdant

The grounds have gone from being sere and brown to verdant, now that the rains have returned.

We have had a dreadful summer. I made a serious effort to water my gardens this year, and if next year should turn out to be the same, I am going to become an expert on installing watering systems. I'm going to have to ask my PT guru if hand watering of the pots along the sidewalk can be considered exercise!

Rain.....we've had rain, and may possibly have more rain this weekend. I'm not going to complain. Instead, you'll find me outside doing a rain dance!

Have you ever heard of this word? This is the first time I've seen it. It means a person who is learning the alphabet, a novice.

I wonder if Big Bird ever used abecedarian?