May I Have A Word With You?: Decorum

By Debbie Watts (Word Woman)

WORDABULOUS, Tenn. -- As a word lover, there is no better learning arena for me than in my eighth grade language arts classroom. They teach me much more about vocabulary than I teach them. . . I think. This past week, our vocabulary list featured the word, decorum. Without using the dictionary, I challenged the class to write a sentence reflecting what they thought the word meant. Amazingly, many in the class used the word in relation to interior decorating. They were confusing the word, decorum, with the word, décor. I used the situation as the opportunity to teach them that their personal decorum, i.e. their conduct and manners “dressed” them in the eyes of the world, much like the décor of a room dresses it for the eye of the beholder. It’s true that we are “dressed” in our decorum, our conduct and manners, whether good or bad. May your decorum be a positive indicator to all that you are a positive and honest human being, and may you always “decor”-ate your decorum with positive words!

Wordabulously yours,

Debbie Watts

* Write Word Woman at Wattsd2@att.net. Learn more about her book, "Wordabulous", at http://www.ShineTimeBooks.com .

Word Woman's Word of the Week: 'Plethora'

Debbie Watts ("Word Woman"), author of the new book "Wordabulous!", is providing a positive word of the week. This week's word is "plethora".)      

WORDABULOUS, Tenn. -- In my capacity as an instructional coach, I’m privileged to observe many great lessons presented by many talented and creative teachers.  Recently, I was in an eighth grade class where the focus was using a more creative vocabulary.  As a former eighth grade teacher myself, I have observed over the years that one favorite “wordism” among the eighth grade set is to put the two words “a lot” together to make one word.  "A lot" is not a word. “It’s” two words.  

       While there are many more precise words to express excess, one of my favorites is the word “plethora.”  This was the “word of the day” in that talented teacher’s eighth grade class. Pronounced with the accent on the first syllable, it sounds like it might be a title character in a Japanese sci-fi monster flick.  Actually it’s from the Greek, meaning fullness.  The current definition is “overabundance.”  It might refer to tangible items or concepts. A sentence using the word "plethora" might read like this: “There was a plethora of knowledge shared in yesterday’s seminar.” 

As I often do with my students, I challenge all my wordy-friends to use that word in a sentence and make a mental note of the response you get from your conversation-ee.  Share it with me here or via e-mail at info@Wordabulous.com.

(Apple Dictionary: ORIGIN mid-16th cent. (in the medical sense): via late Latin from Greekplēthōrē, from plēthein ‘be full.’ )

Copyright 2010 (used by permission)

Word Woman's 'Positive Word of the Week'

(Debbie Watts, America's "Word Woman", is going to offer a "Positive Word of the Week".  See her most recent TV appearances at http://www.BetterNashville.com.)

WORDABULOUS, Tenn. -- This week's "positive word" is Serendipity: The effect by which one accidentally stumbles upon something fortunate, especially while looking for something else.  (Like unexpectedly "finding” someone who has a remarkable impact on your life or career.) 

One of my very favorite words is “serendipity.”  I love not only the sound of it, but the aura surrounding this word.  Coined around 1750 by a literate named Horace Walpole, it is taken from a Sanskrit word for Sri Lanka. It is its meaning that captures the entire story of my life because it has come to mean “the unconscious art of finding something wonderful while looking for something else.”  Many of the world’s great discoveries have been attributed to serendipity. . . everything from Sir Isaac Newton’s law of gravity to potato chips and chocolate chip cookies.  In my own life, I can honestly say that the richest gifts that have been given to me have come through serendipity.  When I met my husband, I was searching for my own personal independence.  When I wrote the book, "Wordabulous!', it was because I was searching for a way to motivate my students to perform well in the national vocabulary championship.  I could go on and on, but seeing as how I’m in the middle of three other projects at the same time, I think I’ll just wish everyone a “serendipitous (adjective form of serendipity) day.”

Proud to be a 'locavore'

(Watch Debbie Watts on WSMV-TV Channel 4's (NBC) Midday news program at 12:30 p.m. July 28.  To order her new book, Wordabulous!, visit http://www.Amazon.com or call Shine Time Books at 615-242-9857.)

By Debbie Watts (a.k.a. Word Woman)

     WORDABULOUS, Tenn. -- As I peruse the most recent 100 words that Merriam Webster has added to the collegiate dictionary, I can see that one I will use because it describes me to a “t” is the word, “locavore".  Paraphrasing, a locavore is one who is a consumer of local products.  I find this especially true during the summer, when the locally grown produce is plentiful.  A perfect afternoon for me is to stop at many of the roadside truck-bed mini-markets and stock up on the beautiful tomatoes, okra, squash and corn.  The blackberries (the edible kind) in my area have been particularly plump and delicious this year.  

     As I think about all the local products that my area is richly blessed with, I can’t help but think about one of our richest resources – and bargains.  That being our local public schools.  At this time of year, there is an excitement in the air because soon our children will be returning to the classroom.  Just this morning I took a drive to the site of a new school, and I thought how blessed the children in this neighborhood will be to have such a pristine new facility in which to learn.

    Other local products that I find myself partaking of include local tv and radio.  As programming quality goes, our local major network affiliates can compete anywhere.  Being an educator, I find that during the summer months, I get up in the morning and as I sit writing at my laptop, I turn the television set on and leave it on one of the local affiliates for the entire day.  When I get into my car, I listen to local talk radio.  An admitted newspaper junkie, I can’t wait to look at a local paper in the morning.  My children and I have frequented the local playgrounds, parks, festivals, pools, libraries and movie theatres all summer.  Local craftsmen and artisans have made substantial bucks as a result of my support over the years.  Being raised near Music City, USA, I have been spoiled with the abundance of local musical talent, with songwriters’ nights and free outdoor concerts always being there for me.

     All of this is to say that I am proud to be a locavore.  And being “Word Woman,” I just can’t resist the temptation to coin my own new addition to my own unwritten dictionary.  If a locavore is one who consumes local products, then describe me as “loca-voracious”.    

Are You Having a 'Staycation', 'Baycation' or 'Raycation'?

(Note:  National Vocabulary Coach of the Year Debbie Watts will appear on Nashville's WSMV-TV Channel 4 (NBC) at 12:30 p.m. July 28th (Tuesday) to provide fun-filled insights on vocabulary usage.  Here are her latest vocabulary insights.  To buy her new book, visit Amazon and conduct a search using the author's name or "Wordabulous".)

By Debbie Watts (a.k.a. "Word Woman")

(WORDABULOUS, Tenn.) -- July 9, 2009 was an important date for all word lovers.  It was on that date that 100 new words were added to the Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary.  

One of my favorite words made the list of 100 to be added.  I've been using the word "staycation" for years to indicate that I'll be staying at home during periodic times off from my day job as a teacher.  So, I got to thinking: if staycation can get added to the dictionary, this is my chance to really make my mark on American culture.  So, beginning immediately, I'll be lobbying to get some of my own coinages added .  

For instance, when I visit one of my favorite cities, San Francisco, one might say that I am on a "baycation". 

If I've already gotten too much sun, instead of taking a "Jamai-cation", I might opt for a "raycation".  

A philandering husband might take a "straycation", and at the opposite end of the moral spectrum, someone seeking spiritual growth may go on a religious retreat and take a "praycation".  

Three-hundred and sixty-four days out of the year, Santa Claus takes a "sleigh-cation", and female fans of singer Clay Aiken (they call themselves Clay-mates) may all go to a Clay Aiken concert, thus taking a "claycation".  

If they use  part of their vacation budget to get new hair color, they may also be taking a "graycation".   

As for me and my house, this summer we are allocating our vacation money to have the house pressure-washed.  I suppose we are having a "spraycation".  

Whatever "cation" you are having, make it the best one ever!

Debbie Watts
("Word Woman")

 

Where Did The Coinage "Bonnaroo" Come From?

(Here's the latest blog from my "wordabulous" client, Debbie Watts.)

Hi, Wordabu-logians!

Hope your summer is off to a sun-sational start!  I want to begin by thanking all who came out to meet me at my book signing in Nashville at Border's West End on June 18th.  We had a lively crowd and a great discussion about words.  Then, the party resumed down the street at Loews Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel.  We enjoyed a champagne toast, gourmet goodies to eat, great local musicians, and a spirited Scrabble tournament, what I hope will be the first of many more.

 
Many have been asking me what I do as a vocabulary coach.  The teaching tools and techniques I use for 7th, 8th, and high school students are totally different from those I use with adults.  For example, a young college graduate approached me at his graduation party, asking me if I would "tutor" him for an important interview he had coming up with a pharmaceutical sales firm.  He had a list of questions the career placement office had given him to study and prepare for.  I asked him how he would answer those questions.  He gave me some answers, and then I prescribed some more precise adjectives, verbs, and expressions that were more professional and that showed he had done his homework for that interview.  I just got word from him that he got the job!  I wouldn't assume that it was my "designer vocabulary" that did it for him, but I hope it helped.  If any of you are interested in being coached in vocabulary or that I should "design" a special vocabulary just for you, you may contact me at: wattsd2@comcast.net.

 
I want to leave you with a neat word coinage.  In Tennessee, we just enjoyed country music week and the Bonnaroo music festival.  The word "bonnaroo" has an interesting origin.  R & B artist Dr. John is credited with this coinage.  It seems that he combined the words, "bon," a romance language root for "good" and "aroo", meaning "around".  The result is a word that names one of the ''best" concerts "around".  Thus, bonnaroo was born.  Share some of your favorite coinages with me by leaving comments.

 
Oh, I almost forgot.  I'd like to thank Channel 4 for having me as a guest on "More At Midday". Tim Ross, you're a funny guy.  I enjoyed our interview.  Chuck Whiting, you're the best publicist in the business. Randy Schiller at Border's Books in Nashville, you should write your own book about words.

 
In wordly love,

Debbie
aka "Word Woman"

Debbie Watts Shares "Wordabulous" Words of Wisdom

(From Chuck Whiting: As some of you know, my firm handles publicity and publishing for National Vocabulary Coach of the Year Debbie Watts.  Here are some more "Wordabulous" words of wisdom from Middle Tennessee's "Word Woman".)

Hello, Fellow Word-lovers:

Hope you're having a wordabulous day.  I'm catching my breath following a very busy, yet successful school year. I'm also in the thick of planning for my book signing on June 18th at Border's West End in Nashville.  I'll be signing copies of my book from 6:00-7:00 p.m. If you're in the Nashville area, I'd love to see you there!  Thought I'd talk about word coinages this month.  You know, sometimes the words who reside within the covers of dictionaries, God love 'em, just don't do justice to the right ambience at the right moment.  Therefore, I have taken great pleasure in creating my own words to name, describe and show action, when recognized words just don't do the trick.  Here are a few of my favorites:  Leave your own in the comment section:

Gingersnap - (noun) A breakdown suffered from having watched too many "Gilligan's Island" tv reruns.

Proboscimony - (noun) Using one's alimony check to purchase a nose job.

Siliconimony - (noun) Using one's alimony check to purchase a breast enhancement.

Spraycation - Using funds saved up for a trip to pressure-wash the house.

Youtubular - (adjective) "You oughtta be on television.

X-it - (verb) As the great Paul Simon once said, "Get yourself free."

As you can see, coining your own words can provide stress relief.  Try it. . . .and share some of them with me...

As I said, come and see me on June 18th, and by the way, giving credit where credit is due, if you need a publicist, Chuck Whiting is the best.  Everything good that has happened with my book, I owe to him.  

In wordly love,

"Word Woman"