Monophthongalization, etc

Some words that I never knew existed until quite recently... (thanks, to TheFreeDictionary for most definitions)

Monophthongalization: (WARNING: this is my own definition) The process of turning a diphthong into a monophthong. (where there are two different vowels) both vowel sounds used to be pronounced but now they are pronounced together to make only one sound. i.e the reduction of a diphthong to a simple vowel. Which means practically nothing unless you know what they both are.

Well, here goes: A Diphthong is is a monosyllabic vowel combination involving a quick but smooth movement from one vowel to another, often interpreted by listeners as a single vowel sound or phoneme. While "pure" vowels, or monophthongs, are said to have one target tongue position, diphthongs have two target tongue positions.

I came across this lovely find of a word as I was reading how modern Greek language was derived from the ancient Greek via the Koine (common/Biblical) Greek.


Silviculture: the branch of forestry dealing with the development and care of forests
(forestry - the science of planting and caring for forests and the management of growing timber)

I first came across this in a newspaper article as someone's job description, and I, curious as I am, turned that very same hour to GOOGLE AKA "source of all knowledge" to find out what the guy actually did for a living.


Filibuster: The use of obstructionist tactics, especially prolonged speechmaking, for the purpose of delaying legislative action.

I first saw this as a "Word-of-the-Day" on my homepage www.thefreedictionary.com (that's right, I have a dictionary for a homepage!) and not knowing what it meant, just assumed it was something to do with horse training... how wrong could I be? Then, just recently I read it in the paper when one political party was accusing the other of filibustering. Well, Parliament can be a bit of a circus sometimes.


Excoriating:tear or wear off the skin or make sore by abrading or to express strong disapproval of.

This one I heard in church, but can't remember exactly the context. It seemed kinda self explanatory at the time but I couldn't help wondering what scoria had to do with anything (& it doesn't).


Laniard (Lanyard): A cord worn around the neck for carrying something, such as a knife or whistle

David mentioned this one last week. That's right, he used a word I didn't know and what's more he's known this word for about the last ten years. I had actually wondered if there was a name to call those strap things that go around your neck to attach your keys/card to apart from "those strap things that go around your neck to attach your keys/card to" and now I know.


Degustation: To taste with relish; savor. Taking a small amount into the mouth to test its quality. Sampling all of the chefs signature dishes in small portions at the one sitting. Usually eight or more courses, it may be accompanied by a matching wine degustation.

I've seen this twice in two weeks now. First it was part of some prize package to take part in a degustation meal. And by association, my first thought was "how disgusting" but being in a prize package perhaps it must be something good afterall.


And what's more, my spell-checker doesn't even recognise half of these new words.