51吃瓜 of the Day
usageaster
noun
a self-styled authority on language usage.
More about usageaster
A true expert on language usage will know that using usageaster 鈥渁 self-styled authority on language usage鈥� is not meant kindly. For instance: 鈥淭he reader was no more than a usageaster; he insisted on corrections that were merely a matter of style, not grammar.鈥� Usageaster is composed of usage and the -aster, which is a 鈥渄iminutive or pejorative suffix denoting something that imperfectly resembles or mimics the true thing.鈥� This suffix, derived from Latin, can also be found in such words as poetaster 鈥渁n inferior poet鈥� and criticaster 鈥渋ncompetent critic.鈥�
how is usageaster used?
We can help such people overcome their insecurity by making a clear distinction between聽usageasters聽and usage experts.
… a usageaster pretends to know about questions of usage in language.
avocation
noun
something a person does in addition to a principal occupation, especially for pleasure; hobby: Our doctor's avocation is painting.
More about avocation
Avocation derives from Latin 腻惫辞肠腻迟颈艒, which literally means 鈥渁 calling away鈥� but has the sense of 鈥渄istraction.鈥� 膧惫辞肠腻迟颈艒 is formed on the verb 腻惫辞肠腻谤别 鈥渢o call away; divert; distract; amuse,鈥� composed of the prefix 腻– 鈥渁way from鈥� and voc腻re 鈥渢o call,鈥� source of English vocation. A person鈥檚 hobby or leisure pursuit is called an avocation, etymologically speaking, because it 鈥渃alls away鈥� that person from their main work鈥攖heir vocation, or 鈥渃alling.鈥� Starting in the 1600s, however, avocation was used as a synonym for vocation, apparently on the thinking that a person鈥檚 side work can be or become as important as their regular occupation. Avocation entered English in the early 1500s.
how is avocation used?
So they signed up for a second shift, an avocation that earns them psychic income in the currencies of artistry, adventure and passion.
Her three avocations鈥攇ardening, current events, and photography鈥攚ere, like her writing, deeply informed by a desire to secure fragile moments as objects of art.
controvert
verb (used with object)
to argue about; debate; discuss.
More about controvert
A controvert is not some kind of hybrid of an introvert and extrovert. It is actually a verb that means 鈥渢o argue about; debate; discuss” and “argue against; deny; oppose.” Controvert does share a root, however, with introvert and extrovert: Latin vertere 鈥渢o turn.鈥� Controvert is based on Latin 肠辞苍迟谤艒惫别谤蝉耻蝉 鈥渄ebatable, disputed鈥濃�攖hat is, controversial, another derivative of 肠辞苍迟谤艒惫别谤蝉耻蝉. 颁辞苍迟谤艒惫别谤蝉耻蝉 is composed of a variant of contr腻 鈥渁gainst鈥� and versus, past participle of vertere 鈥渢o turn, turn around, spin.鈥� (An introvert is literally someone 鈥渢urned within鈥� and an extrovert, someone 鈥渢urned outside.鈥�) Controvert entered English by the early 1600s.
how is controvert used?
It seemed as if his first instinct on hearing a proposition was to controvert it, so impatient was he of the limitations of our daily thought.
It seems natural to suppose鈥攖hough many scholars controvert it鈥攖hat Book I of the Republic was originally written as a separate book …