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Hint: It’s not grammar, syntax, or vocabulary. In this edition of Word Nerd, we’re talking about five elements which, used well, can make your writing effective and memorable. These are the senses: sight, touch, taste, sound and smell.

Perhaps you’ve come across tips like, “Show don’t tell” or “No ideas but in things.” You’ve probably considered these tips were best used by those interested in writing poetry, features, or stories. And it’s true that a poet needs to give “airy nothing” a “[l]ocal habitation and a name (Shakespeare).” But, say you’re a lawyer writing an important brief, you too would do well to keep your senses in mind. As the US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor advises lawyers in her memoir, “It is the particulars that make a story real.” So,

So, whether you’re writing a poem or a pitch, it is useful to make an impression on your reader, to draw their attention. Writing offers a world. And what better way to make that world real than by compelling your reader’s senses?

Here are five great examples of using the senses in your writing:

1 Sight: Think about The Great Gatsby and its green light. Or what yellow means in this context – “The color is repellant, almost revolting; a smouldering, unclean yellow, strangely faded by the slow-turning sunlight. It is a dull yet lurid orange in some places, a sickly sulphur tint in others.” (The Yellow Wallpaper, Charlotte Perkins Gilman).
You use the senses every time you try to describe the sky as blue or jeans as faded. Now, do this consciously and you’ll see your writing improve.

2 Sound: Your writing already has sounds down to the alphabets, just as your sentences have their rhythms, whether or not you’re conscious of them. But when you invite someone into the experience – whether it’s by describing a gunshot in the neighborhood, or the mad rush of traffic on the streets, sound can be a wonderful asset.
Here’s an example from a poem by Carl Sandberg: “The voice of the last cricket/ across the first frost…It is so thin a splinter of singing. (Splinter)”

You can read that out loud and enjoy how the poet pays attention to enhance the auditory experience even as he describes the song of the cricket.

3 Touch: There’s an important distinction to make between being touched (the way you feel) and touching something or someone (the way things feel). Including textures and tactile imagery in your writing can make it real for the reader or listener. This is an example from the one and only Keats: “A burning forehead, and a parching tongue.” Doesn’t it make you aware of your own body as you read it? That’s an excellent way to be pulled into an experience. It’s one reason why Keats is the OG.

4 Taste: If you watch any of the Masterchefs, or cooking videos, or use #foodgram #foodphotography or #instafood hashtags– you’re going to love this one. It’s challenging to appeal to this sense if you’re not writing about food but it works well as a simile. Think about how many times you’ve chanced upon the expression: “It left a bad taste in my mouth.” Or even the cliché, “This farewell is bittersweet.” Now, think about all the creative ways in which you can use this sense to create a feast for your reader.

5 Smell: Finally, the olfactory sense. Arguably, the sense of smell is the most powerful one. It’s easy to associate a holiday at your grandparents with the smell of something cooking, a date with a perfume (or the lack of it if you’re unlucky), the scent of the first rain in the countryside. Now read this passage from Charlotte’s Web:
“The barn was very large. It was very old. It smelled of hay and it smelled of manure. It smelled of the perspiration of tired horses and the wonderful sweet breath of patient cows. It often had a sort of peaceful smell­ as though nothing bad could happen ever again in the world.”
Again, while the writer gives you a description of the smells of the barn, he also uses the device metaphorically, giving us a great sense of the world of the novel.

Are there any sensory examples from literature that have impressed you?

Tell us in the comments below.

via GIPHY

With this Word Nerd, we’re bringing you a splash of positivity. These are five words that describe the love we feel for things and experiences. A few words on this list have the suffix of ‘philia’ – which is the Greek word for fondness. This is the opposite of – any guesses – phobia.

So, this is a nice little meditation on things to love. We hope you find a word that describes you too!

1. Biophilia: Harvard biologist E.O. Wilson coined the word. To him, it meant our innate affinity for the natural world. In simpler terms, it means we are hard wired to be outside. And that’s something which has been challenged by the lockdowns we’ve been in since 2020. While it’s important to stay safe, make sure, you get to an open space every once in a while.

2. Logophilia: Derived from the word logophile. It comes from the Greek words ‘logos’ – word, and ‘-phile’ which is lover. So, a love for words. It’s why you’re reading the column in the first place, right?

3. Astrophilia: This one is pretty simple to figure – a love of stars. If you like looking at the stars with apps like Sky View or SkySafari, or are investing in a proper telescope to spot them – you’d qualify as an astrophile. It’s a lovely hobby to have, we think!

4. Oenophilia: ‘Oinos’ in Greek means wine. So, the word stands for a connoisseur of wines. The signs are if you prefer perusing the wine list for a length of time instead of talking to guests at a dinner; if visiting the local wineries is top of your list when you travel, and your preferred social event is a wine tasting. If you mentally ticked two or more, you should consider a career as a sommelier.

5. Mycophilia: This is a polarizing one. It comes from a fondness for eating mushrooms. Whether on pizzas or in soup or in sandwiches – if you’re enthusiastic about mushrooms and other edible fungi then you’re a mycophile.

Which is your favourite word that describes a strange or not so strange affection? Share with us in the comments below!

via GIPHY

It might have been a challenging year – with being locked indoors, and missing out on many summertime activities. For some that means beaches and for others, it means mountains. However, summer is a synonym for all things sunny.

So, in this edition of Word Nerd, we bring you your summer fix. These are five words which can help you think of summer all year long.

Apricate: According to the Collins Dictionary, this means sunbathing or basking in the sun. What would you give now to apricate on the beach, unworried, and in great company?

Languorous: Which season is more so than summer with its long days?
Although the word means inactivity or slowness, it has a positive connotation. We imagine it to be the kind of inactivity that comes after you’ve played for hours with your friends while your mum yells at you to come inside because it’s too hot. When you finally come in, you drop down on the couch, exhausted and happy. That’s languorous.

Aestival: Or estival. The word comes from the Latin for ‘heat’ and means ‘belong to or appearing in summer.’ The word is used frequently in the context of biology and other scientific studies. But, surely, you can now make it a part of your vocabulary and come up with some fancy used?

We’ll go first: ‘The aestival crowds in the park are one of my favorite views from the balcony.

Solstice: The time or date (twice each year) at which the sun reaches its maximum or minimum declination, marked by the longest or shortest days (21^st June or 22^nd December). This comes from the Latin ‘sol’ (sun) + ‘stit’ (stopped).

Serotinal: In American English, this word means ‘occurring in late summer.’ What are a few serotinal events you can think of? We can think of pruning. Avid gardeners like to trim their hedges and prepare for a new season. What can you think of in your calendar that has a serotinal rhythm?

Any other summery words that should be on this list? Please share with us in the comments.

Have you ever been addressed as a man if you’re a woman or vice versa? And this was not because of your voice or appearance but simply because the other person could not be bothered to research or just felt free to assume?
On the other hand, have you ever made the same mistake?

Image credit: www.twitter.com/BathMagg

Well, it’s the last week of Women’s History Month, so we are setting the house in order by sharing these five tips that can help you avoid the same mistakes. Not only that, but they might also improve your chances of connecting with your reader(s). So, whether you’re submitting an application, an essay, or an article, read and remember these pointers. You’ll thank us for them!

1. Don’t assume male subjects

Whether it’s a professor, an editor, or a prospective manager, it’s useful to not assume that your addressee is a male. You would be surprised to learn just how many times that happens. If you are writing about professions traditionally associated with masculinity like the postal services, police, or even firefighting, avoid using the suffix ‘-man’ (fireman, policeman, or mailman). Instead, you could use neutral suffixes that are more inclusive (police officer, mail carrier, and firefighter).

2. Write in plural

If you write in the singular, you might have to use some archaic gendering. For example, ‘A student who spreads himself too thin can not win.’ You might seek to correct that by forcing a feminine gender there – ‘A student who spreads herself too thin…’ The way out of this quandary is to pluralize.
‘Students who spread themselves too thin…’

Your language can stay correct: both grammatically and politically.

3. Use pronouns cautiously

It might come to you as a surprise but gender-neutral pronouns are in circulation.  These include ey, ve, and te. However, these are yet to be recognized in the academic community. It’s unlikely that the wider public has caught on to them either. So, there are two steps to take: one, make sure you check people’s preferences before you use pronouns to identify them; two, understand how to deploy them (for example if your readers will understand, or if you have viable options).

You can always consult your academic advisor for more clarity on the right terms.

4. Be exact

In writing, it helps to know your target reader. So, if you are writing for husbands helping their wives during pregnancies, you should gender your writing accordingly. It is completely different if you are writing about a topic like ‘toxic masculinity and the role of peers’ for men. If it suits your purpose to address one gender, do it confidently.

5. Research

If you are sending out an application or a query, it helps to take a few minutes to research the person to whom you are sending it. Find out the names. And when even names leave you clueless about gender – refrain from assuming and refer to the first pointer here!

Any tips you would like to share with us? Please let us know!

There is no question that Amanda Gorman, with her elegant and measured performance of ‘The Hill We Climb’, headlined the Presidential inauguration. We were all moved by her words & mesmerised by her rhythmic gestures. And, one of the sections that cheered the loudest were those who are interested in reading, practicing, and publishing poetry.

Not only did Amanda’s books shoot up the bestseller lists but her popularity proved again how poetry could again be a huge part of the conversation.

So, in honour of the performance and poetry, this Word Nerd focuses on obscure poetry forms. They might prove to be a fun challenge for you, and maybe even a much-needed dose of inspiration to limber up those mental muscles. You’ve done all the crosswords and Sudoku  so why not syllables?

1. Anacreontics: This form was born in Greece. It consists of 20-30 lines with 3-5 syllables in each. Think of it as a long haiku. The poet after whom the form is named was Anacreon. He is said to have lived and written in the 6^th century BCE. His poems are on the themes of festivals, revelry, and everyday life in ancient Greece, and often offer homage to the Greek god of parties and wine – Dionysius. You can read a modern interpretation of the form by Robert Yiehling here.

2. Triolet: This one is French. Triolets are said to have originated in medieval France. It has eight lines that ought to rhyme: aba aab ab. While this is not one of the most popular forms, it was used by Thomas Hardy (the Victorian novelist). You can read one of his triolets here.

While many triolets are lightly humorous, Hardy used it for serious themes as well. Think you might give it a try? Go on then!

3. Canzone: We know! This is making us hungry too. But a canzone, which originated in Renaissance Italy, is a long poem with one to seven stanzas. The stanzas must be of equal length, with 8-20 lines. Each line has 11 syllables.

The canzones have been used by poets to talk about love, longing, nature, or important events. Literary masters such as Dante and Petrarch used this form the talk about love.

Expressing your feelings is better than eating them. So, let’s choose canzone over calzone.

4. Tanka: Older than most of the poetic forms that are practised today (sonnet, sestina, and so on), this form originated in the 8^th century (Encyclopaedia Britannica). A tanka is a syllabic form – so its formal qualities are based on how many syllables there are in a line, not on the rhyme scheme. Classically, there are 5 lines with 5,7,5,7,7 syllables. Like the sonnet, the tanka has often been used to express love.

5. Ghazal: The ghazal originated at approximately the same time as the tanka, although in a different part of the world. Traditionally, it was dedicated to the themes of love, spirituality, and sadness. Rumi and Hafiz are mainly responsible for the currency of the form along with Ghalib and music maestros such as Begum Akhtar.

A ghazal is composed of 5-15 couplets. Each line should be of the same length. There are rules of rhyming and refrain which make this form both popular and challenging.

If trying your hands at one of these forms seems challenging, you can always read them. There are great anthologies of ghazals and tankas, works by Dante and Petrarch, as well as Hardy’s triolets from which you can choose. Don’t hesitate while the muse waits !

These words are . . .

Yes, we get that languages evolve and change. But the internet has accelerated this evolution into chaos. Tbh, we mostly love the jargon, which makes our preferred method of communication these days really easy. Also, deploying the right slang is a great way of branding oneself on the internet. It can even make us look nearly as cool as the right Instagram filter.

But, there are limits.

Words, even the fun and shiny ones, belong in certain contexts. S0, just as certain words can connect us to certain audiences, they can disconnect us from others. Think signing off a resignation with, ‘Girl, bye.’ Or a mentor’s farewell email with, ‘You’re cancelled.’

So, here are 5 words we need to think about very carefully before using. It’s not necessarily because they are politically incorrect or sound awful but they are a vague, diffuse way of speaking which makes for poor communication in any context other than the comments section or  Twitter.

Ish: This word is in the OED. Its context is informal. And the meaning is ‘to some extent.’ Ish originates from the ‘-ish’ suffix which turns nouns into adjectives. For example, ‘The moon looked reddish.’ This word would be a poor choice in contexts like statistics and engineering. Or while sharing deadlines for applications and submissions. If you must, use it wisely.

Janky: Also in the OED. This word means ‘of extremely poor or unreliable quality.’ It could be applied to anything from software to pasta to performances. But again, this word is informal and says very little except how one felt about a product/experience. Ideally, we’re all grown up enough to give better feedback. So, how about a ‘that photograph would come out much better from a higher vantage point?’ rather than ‘that’s one janky angle right there.’

Zhuzh: Also spelled zhoosh, or zhush. This word sounds onomatopoeic but it isn’t. To ‘zhuzh it up’ means to glam it up or make it more attractive. Anything from selfies to stories to interiors can be zhuzhed up. But again, this word is a wispy cloud of meaning. Why not go for something more exact and make conversation great again?

Cancel: Can we please cancel this word? And the culture? It is easy to rage at strangers over the internet but if 2020 did us any favours – it was to remind us of our collective culpability. We all make mistakes (by which we don’t mean unrelenting racism or sexism or other sins) and we need to learn and grow together. Amirite? (No, please let’s not use that word either)

Any words you want to add to the list? Tell us!

Halloween has become an iconic celebration up there with Valentine’s Day and Christmas Eve (I thought more people would be scared by ghosts, goblins and Heidi Klum’s Kali … No? Just me? Alright then).

But where did all of it come from – Marvel heroes roaming the streets with Elsa, Anna and the sheeted ghosts? Why does Halloween mean a cosmetic surgery for pumpkins? And why (WHY) must we part with our candies?

In this edition of Word Nerd, we look at 3 traditions without which it just wouldn’t be Halloween. We explore their rich histories, and in doing so, expand our vocabulary.

1. Samhain (Sow-in)

The Celts, who lived a couple of thousand years ago, in Ireland, UK and France believed that, on 31st October, the dead returned to walk among the living. For them, the day marked the end of summer and the start of winter. Winter, without central heating and smart plugs, must have been a terrifying time of the year. So, they lit bonfires, sacrificed crops and animals to their gods, wore costumes and told each other’s fortunes. Then they returned home with fire from the bonfire to re-light their hearths. They believed that this fire would guard and protect them during the long, dark months.

And then, on 1st November, they celebrated Samhain – the new year.

2. Mumming

This tradition originates from Samhain as well. On this day, people often dressed in animal skins to fool any ghosts and monsters. Food was also left out to soothe hungry spirits (I think that’s a good idea for any day of any month in any year). By the 14th-15th century, performers started to dress up as witches and scary creatures, in exchange for food. Mumming, or trick and treating, is probably THE most anticipated rituals of Halloween today – I think it’s because candies are at stake!

3. Jack o’Lantern

Here’s the story. Centuries ago, there lived a man named Stingy Jack, who successfully cheated the Devil twice! When he died, the Devil of course wanted nothing to do with him, and neither did God. He was sent away from hell with nothing but a coal to keep him warm. So, stingy as he was, Jack decided to place the coal in a carved turnip, and use that as a lantern. He has roamed the earth ever since.
No one wanted to have anything to do with him. So, the Irish and the Scots would carve turnips and potatoes and place them near the doors to frighten away Stingy Jack or any other evil spirits. And when they landed in the US, they brought their stories and rituals with them. Of course, that’s when they realised that their new home’s native pumpkin made better Jack o‘ Lanterns than turnips ever did.

Do you have any good stories and interesting words for Halloween? Tell us in the comments.

It should not take a crisis to shock and center us, but if the mythic tradition is to be believed, that’s exactly what we need. We have all become familiar with the good news emerging from COVID19 – altruism in the times of disaster, signs of nature restoring itself, even as we cope with the numbers.

In this context, on International Earth Day 2020, we look for to nature for inspiration – to teach us resilience and hope. She gives us these 4 words from her millions.

Furze

A shrub with yellow flowers in spring, it is native to North Africa and Western Europe. It is a common name for gorse and heaths. The plant needs very little to thrive and is used for reclaiming waste land. Why? Because furze can settle in and fix the soil’s nitrogen therefore prepping the land for other plants.

Another fascinating fact about this humble wildling species is how it responds to fire. It is highly flammable but it can regenerate quickly from stumps. The very image of resilience.

Glisk (Scots)

Not a word listed in the Oxford English Dictionary, glisk is a Scots words. It means glimpse, gleam or a brief instant. Glisk can also act as a verb to mean ‘to catch a glimpse’ or ‘take a look.’

On Twitter, where well-loved nature writer, Robert MacFarlane often shares a word for the day, he defined the meaning as… “Sunlight glimpsed through a break in the clouds; a fleeting glance at a glittering sight; a sudden flash of hope in the heart.”

Isn’t this beautiful?

Example: A glisk of gold over the mountain as the night is passing away.

Caesura

Caption: Photo by Suliman Sallehi from Pexels

The root of the word is the Latin ‘caes’ which means cut or hewn. In modern poetry, it means a pause in the middle of a line. When reading or listening to poetry (or music), the caesura gives us a chance to consider the information we have already been given. It is an opportunity to reflect.

Cedar

Trees which yield fragrant, durable timber. It is also well known for its essential oil that is widely used. The cedar forest is also the ancient forest of the gods in Mesopotamian myth. Here is more context from MacFarlane, for us to consider: “In the Epic of Gilgamesh (composed c. 1800 BC), Gilgamesh travels to the Cedar Forest to cut down its greatest trees. It is the forest of world literature & the first to suffer human feeling.”

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Are there words that you think we might have missed?
Email us or drop a comment below!
Check out other Word Nerd stories here.

We all communicate. But do we communicate effectively? Effective communication means sharing your perspective with another person in a clear and convincing style. If you aim at developing mutual understanding, winning people over to your way of thinking, and having quality conversations then you need to master effective communication.

To that end, having a good vocabulary is obviously valuable. An array of words that describe your emotions, opinions and thoughts, combined with a good understanding of grammar can open the doors to communicate what you’re thinking with precision and style.

However, the substance of your interaction is also important. Often connecting with another person involves seeing and appreciating who they are and what they do. There are many ways you can use language to encourage and appreciate. It’s not necessarily through hyperboles. Or the fanciest words. So, you don’t have to congratulate a classmate on a good maths score with a “Your perspicacity for maths boggles my brains.” Or, “Your sagacity as a maternal parent must be praised!”. Or, “Your outfit is the most aesthetically sound one I have seen in my entire life!”

Using the right words in the right context for your audience is one of the secrets to effective communication. In fact, here are 4 simple ones that, used wisely, will improve the quality of your interactions.

1. Yes!

Studies have shown the more you use this word in a conversation the more it instils motivation and confidence in you and the other person. According to reports* sales can grow from 18%-32% just by incorporating the word “yes” in a conversation. Imagine the impact it can have on communicating with someone effectively!

2. But?

Chances are that this word makes whatever you have said prior to it, redundant. The stress on the word ‘but’ mid-sentence puts an equal amount of stress on the person listening to you. They will be hanging on every word you utter after ‘but’. There is also a likelihood they will focus sharply on the words that follow. This can be used to your advantage if you learn how to use it.

3. Thanks!

It is important to let the other person know that you are showing them gratitude for the services/ help they have provided to you. If someone has done you a favour, or offered any service, it is imperative that they feel their effort was valued and appreciated. Otherwise, they are less likely to offer any help/favours in the future. And even if they do, the quality of that offer will not be the same.
Another important use of thanks is to simply acknowledge the effort someone (whether a classmate, a colleague or a friend) has made. If in a meeting, if you begin by thanking a colleague for their contribution before evaluating it critically – you will be less likely to turn them against you.

4. Help?

This word is more powerful than you might expect. There is a social stigma against asking for help from others. You might believe it is a sign of weakness. However, it’s quite the contrary. It shows that you have the intelligence to identify your limitations, and courage to speak up and ask for help to overcome them.
A simple gesture that can help forge a genuine connection. Don’t be afraid to ask!

What are your secrets for effective communication? Email us or comment below.

Have you checked out other Word Nerd stories?

If I were to say to you, “She recruits students for the university on a pro bono basis,” would you realise that I’d spoken almost as much Latin as English?
Although Latin’s use is itself limited, for instance to the Catholic Church, and certain military organisations, like the US Marine Corps, its influence on English remains marked.

And when we are speaking in formal contexts, whether we know it or not, we frequently take recourse to a more Latinate diction. Just as I did with that sentence. Overdone, Latinate English can appear as unnecessarily ornate as a woman wearing a bridal gown to the supermarket, or a man wearing peacock feathers to the gym. It can also be boring. Sample this infamous opening of the novel, Paul Clifford, which is both, “It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents—except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness.”

You can understand that readers today will have little patience with writers with a style like that. So, the next time you stumble across a big word, which sounds like it belongs in mass, a court ruling, or a state motto – think again about whether you should be using it. A big vocabulary does not a fluent speaker make.

In the meanwhile, there are several Latin words which fit cozily into contemporary constructions. You can find 7 of them listed below.

1) Ad hoc: Latin for to this. The word means made for a particular purpose or situation. The study group was ad hoc. Or, politicians fulfil promises on an ad hoc basis.

2) Alibi: If you’ve watched a single episode of any crime thriller, you will know exactly what this word means. In Latin, alibi means elsewhere. It has been used as a noun since the 18^th century – she has an alibi. But it can also be used as a verb – ‘I’ve agreed to alibi her in return for a month-long supply of chocolate.’

3) Bonus: It comes from the Latin for good. In the modern context, it means a sum of money added to the salary for good work (OED). In real life, it can also mean something rare.

4) Carpe diem: You’ve said it. Or heard it. Or seen it tattooed. It means seize the day and is a translation from the Odes of Horace. The same poet who gave us the phrase purple prose.

5) E.g.: For the sake of an example, or in Latin, exempli gratia. It’s everywhere but did you know it came from Latin, something as basic as this?

6) Ego: The Latin for I. In modern English, it’s what your weekly forecasts tell you to keep in check for the sake of your relationships.

7) Extra: Love this word. At first, it just meant extra. Like when your tutor would say it, “You should put in an extra hour on that Trigonometry chapter.” But now it means the most. For e.g., when you answer your mother’s 9^th phone call on a night out, and snap, “Mom, you’re so extra!”

More word nerd blogs can be found here. Nerd is not Latin as you might know.