Definition: Psychobabble The Merriam-Webster dictionary tells me that the word “psychobabble” galloped into pop-culture lingo in 1975. Here is their quick and dirty definition: language that is used by people who talk about mental and emotional problems and that is seen as silly or meaningless : psychological jargon. The world of independent authors and self-publishers…
DetailsDefinition: Caravan According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, this is their definition of “caravan”: Definition of caravan : a group of people or animals traveling together on a long journey especially through the desert : a group of vehicles (such as cars or wagons) traveling together The photo is of a Bedouin tourist camp. The camels…
DetailsDefinition: Cruise When it comes to travel or transport, “Cruise” is a useful word. Here’s the Merriam-Webster official definition of the word “cruise”: 1: to sail about touching at a series of ports 2: to move or proceed speedily, smoothly, or effortlessly <I’ll cruise over to her house to see if she’s home> 3: to…
DetailsDefinition: Diaspora The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “diaspora” thusly: “a group of people who live outside the area in which they had lived for a long time or in which their ancestors lived.” Historically, the word “diaspora” has been most closely associated with the scattering of Jews around the world during and after World War II,…
DetailsFahrvergnügen Over the decades, no car has had more originality in its advertising than Volkswagen. In 1990, they taught us the German word: “Fahrvergnügen.” The campaign didn’t last very long, because, after all, how long can you milk one long, unfamiliar word? Below is Wikipedia’s version of Volkswagen’s ad campaign, along with pronunciation. Fahrvergnügen (German pronunciation:…
DetailsDefinition: Stowaway We haven’t had a word definition in a while, so i thought I would post one. Today’s word is “stowaway.” The Webster definition is simple: someone who hides on a ship, airplane, etc., in order to travel without paying or being seen. What’s amazing about this word is the drama and romance that follow…
DetailsDefinition: Peregrinate Webster’s Dictionary defines “peregrinate” as: to walk or travel over; traverse. It also says that the first recorded use of this word was in the year 1593. I would hate to think that in the 2000s, we lose a wonderful word like “peregrinate.” Let’s all use it in a sentence some time this week, such…
DetailsDefinition: Voyage I thought it was time to visit another definition. Here is the full Merriam-Webster definition of Voyage: 1: an act or instance of traveling : journey 2: a course or period of traveling by other than land routes <a long sea voyage> 3: an account of a journey especially by sea Examples of VOYAGE: The Titanic sank on…
DetailsDefinition: Peripatetic Websters defines “peripatetic” this way: a : of, relating to, or given to walking b : moving or traveling from place to place : itinerant I thought we should learn, or revisit, a wonderful word that is falling into disuse. Has anyone else led a peripatetic life? I can’t remember all my former addresses; there are have…
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