Ann Farmer righttolife.org.uk Ann Farmer, is a mother of three, grandmother of five and has a disability. She is based in Woodford Green, Essex; and is a poet, illustrator and writer. All opinions expressed here are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of
The word for today is… bunkum (noun) – Empty or insincere talk; claptrap. Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : Some words in the English language have more colourful histories than others, but in the case of bunkum, you could almost say it was an act of Congress that brought the word into
Kerry Grant banana-boat-boy.com Old enough to know better … but It is a typical overcast Brazilian day (for this part of the country) pretending that it wants to rain but using the illusion to compound the humidity to at least double the usual. My body is responding accordingly – with rivulets
The word for today is… boycott (verb) – To abstain from or act together in abstaining from using, buying, dealing with, or participating in as an expression of protest or disfavor or as a means of coercion: boycott a business. (noun) – The act or an instance of boycotting. Source : The Free
As I write this, polls are yet to close on the US election, but an interesting tidbit to emerge from, of all places, the New York Times, is that voters for Joe Biden are most likely to be women named “Karen”. You can’t make this up. But this raises
The word for today is… besot (verb) – To muddle or stupefy, as with alcoholic liquor or infatuation. Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : “Affect with a foolish manifestation,” 1570s, from be- + sot. If you enjoyed this BFD word of the day please consider sharing it with your friends.
In an old Michael Leunig cartoon, he depicts a bemused modern family touring the “Museum of Manners”. The front-row exhibit, preserved in its glass case, is “Giving up the Seat for the Lady”. One young man on social media could do with being dragged around the Museum of Manners. A
The Supreme Court has finally made its decision on the prolonged legal wrangling over the extradition of Kim Dotcom. They said that he can be extradited. Kim Dotcom can be extradited to the United States to face 12 criminal copyright-related charges, the Supreme Court has ruled after a marathon legal
The word for today is… asunder (adverb) – 1. Into separate parts or pieces. 2. Apart from each other either in position or in direction. Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : Asunder can be traced back to the Old English word sundor, meaning “apart.” It is a relative of the verb sunder,
With the end of Winston Peters’s political career, we have shone a light on the fact that we have had at least one Maori in parliament for 42 years. He is not the only one of course. The first Maori MPs entered parliament in 1868. The list of Maori
The word for today is… allusion (noun) – 1. The act of alluding; indirect reference. 2. An instance of indirect reference. Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : Allusion was borrowed into English in the 16th century. It derives from the Latin verb alludere, meaning “to play with,” “to jest,” or “to refer
The word for today is… testimonial (noun) – 1. A statement in support of a particular truth, fact, or claim. 2. A written affirmation of another’s character or worth; a personal recommendation. 3. Something given in appreciation of a person’s service or achievement; a tribute. Source : The Free Dictionary
Sir Sean Connery has died at the age of 90, his family has said. The Scottish actor was best known for his portrayal of James Bond, being the first to bring the role to the big screen and appearing in seven of the spy thrillers. Sir Sean died peacefully in
The word for today is… ostracize (also ostracise – mainly British usage) (verb) – 1. To exclude from a group or society. 2. To banish by ostracism, as in ancient Greece. Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : “Exile by ostracism, banish by popular vote,” also in a figurative sense, “to exclude from society
Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano Tit. Archbishop of Ulpiana Former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America Mr. President, Allow me to address you at this hour in which the fate of the whole world is being threatened by a global conspiracy against God and humanity. I write to you
The word for today is… culture (noun) – 1. (a) The arts, beliefs, customs, institutions, and other products of human work and thought considered as a unit, especially with regard to a particular time or social group. (b) These arts, beliefs, and other products considered with respect to a particular subject
