Editor's Corner

Not long ago, I shared a new word (new to me), tmesis, which is “the introduction of one or more words between the parts of a compound word” as in “any-old-where” or “fan-freaking-tastic.” I got quite a few pleasant responses, and one of them, from Vijay R., brought up some other words I thought we could examine: synchysis, chiasmus, and syneresis.

If you’re interested in learning more about these words, read on, my fellow verbivores.

• synchysis: (sin-ki-sis)derives from the Greek word synkein which means “to mingle” or “to confuse”

Synchysis rearranges words in a way that requires the reader to figure out the relationship between the words to discover the meaning.

Example from a Samuel Butler poem:

An ass will with his long ears fray

The flies that tickle him, away;

But man delights to have his ears

Blown maggots in by flatterers

Meaning:

A donkey will with his long ears frighten away the flies that tickle him;

But man delights to have maggots blown in his ears by flatterers.

• chiasmus: (kee-az-muss) derives from the Greek word chiazein meaning “crossing” or “X-shaped”

A chiasmus is a two-part phrase in which the second phrase is a reverse of the first phrase.

Examples:

o She has all my love; my heart belongs to her.

o When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

• syneresis: (si-ner-uh-sis) derives from the Greek word sunairesis meaning “to contract or draw together”

Syneresis is the drawing together of two consecutive vowels or syllables into one syllable, so as to form a diphthong (a sound formed by combing two vowels into a single syllable). It is a phonological process of sound change in which two vowels are combined to make one sound.

Examples:

o coin

o loud

Enjoy the rest of your day!

Donna Bradley Burcher |Technical Editor, Advisory | jack henry

Pronouns she/her/hers

9660 Granite Ridge Drive, San Diego CA 92123

Symitar Documentation Services

About Editor’s Corner

Editor’s Corner keeps your communication skills sharp by providing information on grammar, punctuation, Jack Henry style guidelines, and all things English. As editors, we spend our days reading, researching, and revising other people’s writing. We love to spend a few extra minutes to share what we learn with you and keep it fun while we’re doing it.

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