/ahr-key-dee-uh n/ adjective 1: rural, rustic, or pastoral, especially suggesting simple, innocent contentment. “Foolishness? No, it’s not. Sometimes I spend all day trying to count the leaves on a single tree. To do this I have to climb branch by branch and write down the numbers in a little book. So I suppose, from theirContinue reading “Arcadian.”
Author Archives: bethoffreshair
razzle-dazzle.
[raz–uh l-daz–uh l] noun, Informal. showiness, brilliance, or virtuosity in technique or effect, often without concomitant substance or worth; flashy theatricality. Customer service. Sometimes you’re just not in the mood to smile and to wait on people and to get one more side of sour cream. Sour moods are hard to sweeten. I needed aContinue reading “razzle-dazzle.”
ameliorate.
[uh–meel-yuh-reyt, uh–mee-lee-uh-] verb (used with or without object), ameliorated, ameliorating. 1. to make or become better, more bearable, or more satisfactory; improve. Sometimes I wake up on the wrong side of the bed. My bed is against the wall, so maybe I should pull it out a little so I have a better chance ofContinue reading “ameliorate.”
estival.
[es-tuh-vuh l, e-stahy-vuh l] adjective pertaining or appropriate to summer. Last night, I got off work at the saloon at 9:30pm. I said goodnight to my friends who would be there for a couple more hours, put my jacket on, and stepped outside. The sun was just setting and for the first time in what felt likeContinue reading “estival.”
humblebrag.
[huhm-buh l-brag] noun a statement intended as a boast or brag but disguised by a humble apology, complaint, etc. It’s so funny that this was just the word of the day. I was too tired to blog about humblebrag, because I was completely worn out from running ten miles in the 62 mile Sawtooth Relay through rain, snow, sleet, and hail. I’m cracking myself up because I can’t even humblebragContinue reading “humblebrag.”
vim.
[vim] noun 1. lively or energetic spirit; enthusiasm; vitality. If you are a Beth of Fresh Air follower (hi, Grandma!), you know that I’ve been trying harder to DO more instead of watching more, attempting to live a life worthy of writing about. About two months ago, a bartender whom I adore was out withContinue reading “vim.”
puffery.
[puhf–uh-ree] noun, plural pufferies. 1. undue or exaggerated praise. 2. publicity, acclaim, etc., that is full of undue or exaggerated praise. Oh if anyone gets puffers a plenty, it’s the polar bear, Pal! He sits behind the register at the bookstore and people pour out the puffery with their words and their cuddles and theirContinue reading “puffery.”
kerfuffle.
[ker-fuhf-uh l] noun 1. Chiefly British Informal. a fuss; commotion. If you ever want to know how well-liked you are, tell your coworkers you lost something dear to you and see if anyone starts looking for it. On a chaotic weekend at the saloon, a gal lost an earring her dad had given to her.Continue reading “kerfuffle.”
ort.
[awrt] noun Usually, orts. a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. When a customer leaves behind orts on their plate and they say something like, “Oh, I tried! I just couldn’t finish the huge Idaho spud!” I like to wink and say, “You’ve got to leave a little behind to have a little behind.” I usually walk away before hearing their response soContinue reading “ort.”
overwinter.
[oh-ver-win-ter] verb (used without object) to pass, spend, or survive the winter. This guy doesn’t just pass, spend, or survive the winter; he thrives, rolls in it, gulps it up, and basks in it. We could all learn a thing or two from him. He never complains about the low temperature. He surveys his surroundings,Continue reading “overwinter.”
beth of fresh air 