Editor's Corner

Good day!

We all love words—at least this gang does. English is jam-packed with wonderful words that are borrowed from other languages and peculiar old English words that have evolved in tortuous ways. Some of those words, like the word tortuous, sound like they mean something other than what they actually mean.

The word tortuous sounds like it should mean painful—because it’s very similar to the word torturous (which has an extra r). However, tortuous (without the extra r) actually means winding or twisting, which aptly describes the evolution of so many English words.

Way back in 2023, I shared a list of words that don’t mean what you think they mean, and tortuous was on that list. Today, I want to share some other words that have meanings that might surprise you. It’s always good to expand our vocabulary, and some of these words are going to be fun to torture my family with.

• bodkin (noun): dagger, bayonet

Hester is not a violent person, but she carries a bodkin in her handbag to protect herself.

• commodious (adj): spacious and convenient; roomy

Tanzy’s house has such commodious closets!

• crapulous (adj): intoxicated, inebriated

Agatha called Neville a crapulous spendthrift.

• crepuscular (adj): of, relating to, or resembling twilight; dim

Foxes tend to show crepuscular or nocturnal activity patterns.

• funambulist (noun): tightrope walker

Freida the funambulist was the best act in the entire show!

• halitosis (noun): offensive bad breath

She’s very sweet, but she has horrible halitosis.

• noisome (adj): noxious, harmful

The environment at the event was uncomfortably noisome.

• nugatory (adj): of little or no consequence

Dixon made comments that were too nugatory to merit attention.

• prestidigitation (noun): sleight of hand; magic trick

Houdini’s powers of prestidigitation are legendary.

• prevaricate (verb): to deviate from the truth; equivocate

Hank was willing to prevaricate on the witness stand to protect his brother.

• probity (noun): adherence to the highest principals and ideals; uprightness

As a religious leader, she strives to be a person of indisputable probity.

• pulchritude (noun): physical comeliness

Everyone agrees, Yuri and Tatyana are specimens of glorious pulchritude.

Now come on—you have to admit that was interesting, not nugatory. Just admit it, and then you can go on and enjoy the rest of your day. Happy Thursday!

Donna Bradley Burcher |Technical Editor, Advisory | jack henry

Pronouns she/her/hers

9660 Granite Ridge Drive, San Diego CA 92123

Symitar Education Resources (sharepoint.com)

About Editor’s Corner

Editor’s Corner keeps your communication skills sharp by providing information on grammar, punctuation, JHA style, 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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