Conk [kongk, kawngk] verb (used without object), Slang. to slow down or stop; lose energy (often followed by out). to go to sleep (usually followed by off or out). Instead of speaking, I waved to Oliver (the toddler I babysit) this morning, since he usually says, “Do not talk to me, Beth!” when I tell him good morning. He acknowledged my wave and gave me enough silence for me to think today was going to be a reallyContinue reading “conk.”
Category Archives: Words
tutoyer.
\ too-twah-YEY; Fr . ty-twa-YEY \ , verb; to address (someone), especially in French, using the familiar forms of the pronoun “you” rather than the more formal forms; address familiarly. May I tutoyer you, reader? I imagine so, since my current readers are the most loyal of friends. Tu etes charmant. You are lovely and you are troopers. You read even when I rambleContinue reading “tutoyer.”
deadline.
I thought I’d let you know one reason for my absence…I have been editing my New Zealand manuscript and will be sending it to a publisher friend by the 31st of August. You all have permission to ridicule me if I miss this deadline that I created for myself. Thank you for reading! I hope youContinue reading “deadline.”
jay and the gre and the red backpack.
I am sitting in the lobby of the extravagant Grand Hyatt overlooking the Causeway in Tampa. When I entered donning my red Osprey backpack, the man at the door asked, “Have you registered at the hotel?” I kind of heard him, but wasn’t sure what he said, but instead of saying “Pardon?” or “Excuse me?”Continue reading “jay and the gre and the red backpack.”
unfortunate fortunes.
Also, on a lighter note, I found a few brainstorming pages that Erica and I got from the book “642 Things to Write About” Write 10 sayings for fortune cookies: 1. You should’ve talked to the man who winked at you in the library last Tuesday. He was supposed to be your husband. 2. You’llContinue reading “unfortunate fortunes.”
darn kids.
Last week, I was sitting with a two-year-old baby. His grandma was still in the house before heading to work. I grabbed a puzzle and she said, “Oh that one is really hard. I shouldn’t have ever gotten it. Too hard.” Of course this made me want to dominate the puzzle. Each piece was aContinue reading “darn kids.”
imprest.
\IM-prest\ , noun: an advance of money; loan. I didn’t need a loan, really. I just didn’t want to pay $10 to get into the school play. I showed my staff ID at the door and said, “is this a night I can get in free?” (there’s always a night we get in free). “No,”Continue reading “imprest.”
tidings.
/ TAHY-dingz\ , noun: News, information, or intelligence: sad tidings. Not long ago, I was discussing people’s trademark sayings with a friend. I know someone who can almost pull any corny saying off, because she’s confident and cool. When I was leaving my favorite people at work after a lovely lunch, I decided to tryContinue reading “tidings.”
diapason.
\dahy-uh-PEY-zuhn\ , noun: A full, rich outpouring of melodious sound. I do not know if this song is the most beautiful diapason in the world, or if it just means a lot to me. I was listening to Pandora one evening while reading. The station was most likely Mumford & Sons or James Taylor andContinue reading “diapason.”
compeer.
\kuhm-PEER\ noun. Close friend; comrade. An equal in rank, ability, accomplishment, etc.; peer; colleague. Want to know what my compeer did for my 27th birthday? Sure you do! She had her middle school students fill out a page in a book titled “How To Have The Best Year Ever.” Now I know. And so shallContinue reading “compeer.”
beth of fresh air 