For today’s Weird Word Wednesday, let’s look at a special day for people who consider themselves “word nerds.” National Word Nerd Day is Sunday.
“We celebrate National Word Nerd Day on January 9 by enthusing about our favorite words and the importance of language in our culture,” according to an article posted on www.nationaltoday.com
“Whether you always know what to say, or you often end up with your foot in your mouth, words are essential to our success and progress. National Word Nerd Day gives us the chance to learn some new words, use some old ones, and maybe even borrow them from someone else!”
The National Today site offers some “wordy ways to spend your day and verbose views on how to celebrate this National Word Nerd Day.” (I’ve also thrown in a few of my own. After all, I’m a word nerd, too, and proud of it!)
Here are a few ideas:
· Use a new word every day. Check out my Weird Word Wednesday posts on www.pamelarobertshowell.com to learn three unusual words each week based on a certain theme. Or buy a daily word flip calendar. Or log on to www.merriam-webster.com They have Word of the Day listings and slide shows which feature unusual or rarely used words. Their website is like a candy store for word nerds like me.
· Make up a new word. New words, known as neologisms, are created every day. “A neologism is a new word or phrase that has come into common use or a new meaning that has been given to an established word,” according to www.study.com “The word ‘neologism’ comes from the ancient Greek words ‘neos,’ meaning new, and ‘logos,’ meaning word. New words enter the English language in various ways, including borrowings from other languages, combinations of existing words, and alterations of existing words. In addition to new words, neologisms include new phrases comprised of two or more words.” Some recent neologisms are “brainstorming,” “tweet,” and “selfie.”
· Learn your favorite word in a different language. Think of your favorite word to say. I’ve always liked the sound (pun intended) of “cacophony,” which means a harsh, jarring sound. I’d love to be able to say “cacophony” in, say, German “kakophonie” or Spanish “cacofonía.” It may take me a while, but I’ll eventually work in “kakophonie” or “cacofonía” in conversation.
Host a Scrabble® night. What better way to celebrate National Word Nerd Day by hosting a Scrabble party? One of the world’s most favorite word games is Scrabble was invented by an out of work architect named Alfred Mosher Butts during the Great Depression, according to www.scrabble.hasbro.com For a special treat, make Scrabble to munch on while playing Scrabble! There are many variations on this snack mix, but here’s a good recipe from www.recipes.sparkpeople.com :
Scrabble
3 cups Cheerios
3 cups Rice Chex
3 cups Corn Chex
3 cups Crispix
3 cups Wheat Chex
1 cup mixed nuts
2 handfuls of stick pretzels
6 tbsp butter or margarine
2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp seasoned salt
Mix cereals, nuts, pretzels in large bowl, Turn oven on to 250 degrees, Melt margarine in large roaster pan. Add Worcestershire Sauce, seasoned salt and garlic powder, then pour in cereal mixture and stir to coat with margarine mixture. Bake at 250 degrees, stirring every 15 minutes! Let cool and put in large Ziploc bags, 16 servings – 1 1/2 cups per serving. Delicious!
· Enter or watch a spelling bee. Have you ever participated or watched a spelling bee? I’m a huge fan of spelling bees and perhaps the most famous one is the Scripps National Bee, held each May. Spellers across the country compete at qualifying bees to earn the right to compete at the National Bee where thousands of dollars of cash prizes are awarded. “The National Spelling Bee began in 1925 when nine newspapers joined together to host a spelling bee,” according to www.spellingbee.com Little did they know that 90+ years later their literacy effort would reach 11 million students each year.” Actor and literacy advocate LaVar Burton (“Roots,” Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Reading Rainbow”) will host the 2022 National Bee which will air on the Scripps-owned networks ION and Bounce. It will also stream online.
· Buy a dictionary. The first dictionary ever published was in 1604 and was compiled by a schoolmaster and former Church of England clergyman Robert Cawdrey. Today, there are countless dictionaries, both online and in print. One of the best, in my opinion is the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary, which is the official dictionary of the Scripps National Bee. www.merriam-webster.com has an online shop for all things words, from dictionaries to thesauri and more.
· Create a word walk in your neighborhood. This is a fun idea for children. With a marker, write words on non-glossy paper plates and then post them throughout your neighborhood. (Be sure to follow any neighborhood or city ordinances.) You might choose words that have a certain theme like nature and then, let children find them.
· Start a word journal. Grab a plain notebook and decorate the cover with words cut out from newspapers and magazines. Use glue to adhere the words and then, use clear packing tape to completely cover the front of the notebook. (This process will help keep your word journal in good condition.) When you find, read or hear a word that’s new to you, write it down and include the date and source.
· Read! Perhaps the best way to celebrate National Word Nerd Day is by reading a good book. Fall in love with words. Become a voracious (having a very eager approach to learning) reader.
Happy National Word Nerd Day!