The word for today is… officious (adj) – Meddlesome; intrusive in an offensive manner. Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : Don’t mistake officious for a rare synonym of official. Both words stem from the Latin noun officium (meaning “service” or “office”), but they have very different meanings. When the suffix -osus
The word for today is… wassail (noun) – 1. (a) A salutation or toast given in drinking someone’s health or as an expression of goodwill at a festivity. (b) The drink used in such toasting, commonly ale or wine spiced with roasted apples and sugar. 2. A festivity characterised by
The word for today is… Noachian (adj) – 1. (Bible) Of or relating to Noah or his time. 2. Antiquated; ancient; long obsolete. Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : Students of the Bible know that Noah survived the Great Flood by stowing himself, his family, and male and female specimens of every
The word for today is… lyric (adj) – 1. (a) Of or relating to a category of poetry that expresses subjective thoughts and feelings, often in a songlike style or form. (b) Relating to or constituting a poem in this category, such as a sonnet or ode. (c) Of or relating
Ayesha Scott Senior Lecturer – Finance Aaron Gilbert Associate Professor in Finance Auckland University of Technology In the 12 years since New Zealand introduced the retirement fund KiwiSaver, nearly three million New Zealanders have enrolled and 30 KiwiSaver providers are now collectively managing NZ$57 billion in investments. But questions are
The word for today is… lackadaisical (adj) – 1. Characterised by a lack of effort, care, or involvement. 2. Lacking enthusiasm or interest; listless; casually lazy. Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : las, alack, there are times when life seems to be one unfortunate occurrence after another. We’ve all had days
Benjamin Mayne Molecular biologist and bioinformatician CSIRO Humans have a “natural” lifespan of around 38 years, according to a new method we have developed for estimating the lifespans of different species by analysing their DNA. Extrapolating from genetic studies of species with known lifespans, we found that the extinct woolly
It used to be so simple. A person could state a scientific fact and not lose their job over it. Left-wing icon J.K. Rowling, whose left-wing credentials are as long as my arm, stood up for common sense and fairness and is now well on her way to being
The word for today is… inculcate (verb) – 1. To impress (something) upon the mind of another by frequent instruction or repetition; instil. 2. To teach (others) by frequent instruction or repetition; indoctrinate: Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : 1540s, from Latin inculcatus, past participle of inculcare “force upon, insist; stamp in,
The word for today is… incongruous (adj) – 1. Lacking in harmony; incompatible. 2. Not in agreement, as with principles; inconsistent. 3. Not in keeping with what is correct, proper, or logical. Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : Incongruous is a spin-off of its antonym, congruous, which means “in agreement, harmony, or
The word for today is… gambit (noun) – 1. An opening in chess in which the player risks one or more minor pieces, usually a pawn, in order to gain a favorable position. 2. A maneouvre, stratagem, or opening remark, especially one intended to bring about a desired result. Source : The
The word for today is… fraught (adj) – 1. Filled with a specified element or elements; charged. 2. Marked by or causing distress; emotional. Source : The Free Dictionary Etymology : “The drowmound was so hevy fraught / That unethe myght it saylen aught.” That verse, from the 14th-century poem Richard Coer de Lion,
The word for today is… fiduciary (adj) – 1. (a) Of or relating to a duty of acting in good faith with regard to the interests of another. (b) Of or being a trustee or trusteeship. (c) Held in trust. 2. Of or consisting of fiat money. 3. Of, relating to,
Viv Forbes Viv Forbes is Executive Director of the Saltbush Club. He has had long experience of bushfires in Queensland and NT – lighting, fighting and cleaning up after them. Background: Australian Government promises A$11M for more flashy water bombers. More Water Bombers? No – Fight Fire with Fire. In a
