A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg
 The English language holds half a million words in its coffers, but a typical person knows only about 5% of them (and uses even fewer). That’s like the vault of Fort Knox being open to all with an invitation to help yourself, but you take only a coin or two.

 That’s not a perfect analogy. The English language will never run out of words, no matter how many words we add to our wordstock. But you get the idea.

 Well, I happen to play in the vaults of the English language. This week I’ve brought out five words that you may also want to add to your own verbal chest. These are words that might make you say: I didn’t know there was a word for it.

Fun fact (and food for thought): All of the 4,000 tons of gold stored in Fort Knox would buy only about half of Facebook.

clarigation

PRONUNCIATION:

(klar-i-GAY-shuhn) 

MEANING:

noun: A demand for restitution for some wrong, as a precursor to declaring war.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin clarigare (to make clear), from clarus (clear). Earliest documented use: 1432.

USAGE:

"I would say ‘well done, BBC’ for inciting this joint clarigation from such bitter enemies just before an election.”
 Susanne Cameron-Blackie; Maverick Meltdown; AnnaRaccoon.com; Mar 16, 2015.