Friday, February 24, 2017

FACEBOOK WORD PUZZLES-1601-1700


FACEBOOK WORD PUZZLES

1601-Discern the convergent words:a)gall-infection-stones   b)guard-nudge-rice       c)aqua-artificial-iron

1602- Split Definitive Puzzle    era of weed    (a)   (6)   

1603-Name a 2 word palindromic phrase that means conductorless streetcars  

1604-Discern the convergent words:  a)top-bran-raga     b)root-soup-stick      c)talk-cup-ice

1605- Split Definitive Puzzle  can’t   (a)   (7)

1606-Name a 3 word palindromic phrase that means disgusting collector of louse eggs.

1607- Discern the convergent words: a)red-giant-bear      b)red-ten-trench       c)red-out-fire

1608- Split Definitive Puzzle  comeback in the bottom of the ninth ( 9  (  r )

1609-Name a 4 word palindromic phrase that means midday hanky-panky strains the body  

1610-Discern the convergent words:  a)french-gas-honey      b)chops-head-stew           c)dud-whole-weed

1611-Split Definitive Puzzle  hinder man    (9)    (d)  

1612-Name a 4 word palindromic phrase that means there’s none of this type of fish cooking in the birthplace of Elvis       

 1613-Discern the convergent words: a)freezer-hair-hope      b)bear-hammer-foot         c)a-ache-age

1614-Split Definitive Puzzle  jingle      (7) (v)

1615-Name a 3 word palindromic phrase that  means robbing Dobby heartlessly

1616-Discern the convergent words: a)ability-flat-size   b-false-state-less     c)pin-room-under

1617-Split Definitive Puzzle     voiceless vase    (8)   (t)

1618-Name a 7 word palindromic phrase that uncomfortable carnal relations in a Japanese car negates desire.

1619-Discern the convergent words: a)sea-gravel-coat    b)blood-chicken-can     c)bomb-hill-don

1620-Split Definitive Puzzle  cheerless whiz    (7)   (g)

1621-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that means hellish hue  

1622-Discern the convergent words: a)stop-spur-game    b)away-no-by           c)part-pump-ash

1623-Split Definitive Puzzle  Where hubby might sleep when he’s in the doghouse   (b)   (6)

1624-What do these words have in common?   bandaged-bailing-spoonfeed-femoral-organism   

1625-Discern the convergent words: a)public-pop-inner    b)care-alive-flint     c)sassiness-bloody-bones

1626-Split Definitive Puzzle   bovine bend      (5) (b)  

1627-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that means intrepid person involved in a joint succession   

1628-Discern the convergent words: a)stand-truck-bell    b)con-in-practiioner    c)beer-cake-fish

1629-Split Definitive Puzzle   place inhabitant   (10)  (l)

1630-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that means from being miffed to apoplexy

1631-Discern the convergent words: a)green-root-tree     b)bird-grove-key    c)chicken-high-spots    

1632-Split Definitive Puzzle   rascal expired   (7)  (c )

1633-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that means fixing a hole in a sock

1634-Discern the convergent words:  a)bow-coo-up     b)ate- gym-shirt      c)bishop-dress-romantic

1635-Split Definitive Puzzle  sword measurments   (12)   (m)

1636-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that describes Andrew Sullivan, Anna Wintour & Ben Bradlee

1637-Discern the convergent words: a)open-off-over    b)rep-bed-motel    c)hip-like-nip

1638-Split Definitive Puzzle     Cindy Crawford or Kate Moss (8)   (p)

1639-What do these words have in common? Australia-precarious location-precocious-mutilate-Flemish-propane-striation-resolute 

1640-Discern the convergent words: a)chicken-poll-shrimp   b)bone-red-schmaltz     c)badger-bear-child

1641-Split Definitive Puzzle   favored sea bird   (6)  (i)

1642-Name a 9 letter word that incorporates 2 zodiac signs. 

1643-Discern the convergent words:  a)coal-about-less    b)a-plate-feed         c)n-naked-on

1644-Split Definitive Puzzle  Scandal in Montana town  (12)    (g)

1645-Name a  non-US capital city that is named after a US President

1646-Discern the convergent words: a)caddy-gunpowder-pot    b)relish-meal-ball           c)oil-zebra-sun

1647-Split Definitive Puzzle  possible result of over-drinking in public   (7)  (r)

1648-What do these words have in common?   hand-cap-wheels

1649-Discern the convergent words: a)legal-war-eye   b)line-queen-busy  c)black-bell-counting

1650-Split Definitive Puzzle  discourage excavating    (11)   (d)

1651-Name a 3 word palindromic phrase that means pretend to be a fabulist

1652-Discern the convergent words:  a)priest-sour-class   b)favor-house-powder     c)honor-call-dice

1653-Split Definitive Puzzle      bury deed   (11)   (9)   (a)

1654-Name a 5 word palindromic phrase that means Shorthand male typists analyse many paintings by an impressionist          

1655-Discern the convergent words: a)dead-cup-drops   b)freeze-left-pea   c)note-flat-pussy

1656-Split Definitive Puzzle  had an appointment at a doctor’s office    (13)    (m)

1657-What do these words have in common?   diagnose-ordeal-wanker

1658-Discern the convergent words: a)road-heaven-line   b)huge-tree-wooly    c)iron-crazy-play

1659-Split Definitive Puzzle  old stance    (10)  (p)   

1660-What do these words have in common?  avocado-mayhem-demise-curfew         

1661-Discern the convergent words: a)point-tip-jam    b)courts-pocket-pie   c)crew-flower-framework  

1662-Split Definitive Puzzle  commanded by flat bottom boat    (7)      (s) 

1663-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that means lycra gets larger  

1664-Discern the convergent words: a)hole-her-tan    b)oaf-go-copy   c)up-digger-bar

1665-Split Definitive Puzzle   harbor antiquity   (7)   (p)
1666-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that means commence bender   
1667-Discern the convergent words: a)fat-sandwich-back   b)vodka-cocktail-dry   c)mine-away-sailor


1668-Split Definitive Puzzle   blatant anger    (8)  (o)

1669-Name 2  cities &  2 countries of  10 letters or  more   where no letters repeat themselves

1670-Discern the convergent words: a)operator-drunk-card    b)beach-butter-hot   c)ski-gate-black

1671-Split Definitive Puzzle   kiss mistake  (11)  (b)

1672-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that means bio  

1673-Discern the convergent words:  a)am-smart-bad   b)winter-black-eye   c)sandwich-can-melt

1674-Split Definitive Puzzle-leave in the mind  (14)  (m)

1675- What do these words have in common?  basement-stampede-needless

1676- Discern the convergent words    up-key-house    packed-up-my       brown-wedding-cinnamon


1677- Split Definitive Puzzle prisoner goes down (11)   (d)

1678- Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that  means fastens alpine home

1679- Discern the convergent words   dog-dolly droppings   sea-us-black         kite-kitty-jay

1680- Split Definitive Puzzle writing utensil song (8)  (c)

1681- Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that  means higher quality warrior  

1682- Discern the convergent words   iron-ion-ate   median-pathway-bloody   river-sore-guard

1683- Split Definitive Puzzle command from fishermen  (8)  (n)

1684-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that means enmesh mother  

1685- Discern the convergent words   bling-cake-demon    bit-pea-fat     bar-box-post

1686- Split Definitive Puzzle   penny gathering (9)   ( r  )

1687-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that means discussion about ecology

1688- Discern the convergent words   fuel-fools-ice    green-gun-way     jack-leg-eject

1689- Split Definitive Puzzle   meadow chant  (7)   (s)

1690 Name a beer brand of at least 10 letters where every letter is only worth 1 point in Scrabble
1691- Discern the convergent words    sun-star-mad     mud-cake-salt     glass-tamil-shrimp
1692- Split Definitive Puzzle blemish metropolis    (8)   (s)
1693-Name a 2 word anagrammatic phrase that  means most narcissistic countrymen 
1694- Discern the convergent words   circuits-dead-trust      foot-formation-front      store-story-double
1695- Split Definitive Puzzle   braking power (9) (r )
1696-Name a 2 word palindromic phrase that  means impressionist painter got older
1697-Discern the convergent words   wood-weed-soup     super-over-emirates     sea-song-dive
1698-Split Definitive Puzzle position in Forbes 500     (10)   ( r )
1699- What do these words have in common?       bailout-tweet-app
1700- Discern the convergent words   tag-thick-banana   treatment-id-cut    written-cut-out



Thursday, February 16, 2017

Words of the Year in the US & Uk


                                        What’s in a Word of the Year?

                                                                 by

                                                          Howard Richler

We are constantly bombarded by new English words and meanings to words, so why not honour these innovations? To this end, since 1990 the American Dialect Society (ADS) has been electing annually a “word of the year.” The formula used by the ADS is similar to the process used by Time Magazine that has been selecting a “person of the year” since 1927 when Charles Lindbergh was the inaugural selection; i.e., choosing a person or word that was of particular significance in the past year.

Not surprisingly, the fields that have been most dominant in providing important neologisms have been technology and sociopolitics/economics. For example, in the former, these words have previously been deemed “word of the year”: Hashtag (2012), app (2010), tweet (2009), Y2K (1999), e- (1998), WWW (1995) cyber (1994). In addition, in 2010, google was voted as “word of the decade.” In the latter category, winners were occupy (2011), bailout (2008), subprime (2007), truthiness (2007), WMD (2002). 9-11 (2001), chad (2000) bushlips (1990).  The term truthinesss was invented by Stephen Colbert and refers to the quality of seeming or being felt to be true, even if not necessarily true. You could say that Colbert envisaged the mindset of next decade’s Trump supporters.

Some of the choices have proved to be short-lived. In fact, the very first selection in 1990, bushlips had the shortest legs of all. It referred to insincere political rhetoric emanating from the mouth of George Herbert Bush. Other choices that have not lasted are plutoed the 2006 selection that referred to the demotion or devaluation of something.  It was named from the decision of the General Assembly of the International Astronomic Association that Pluto no longer deserved to be classified as a planet. Another term that fizzled out was the 1999 choice Y2K. It was an abbreviation for “the year 2000.” Many people believed that the advent of the year 2000 would create computer chaos because programmers represented the four digit year without the final two digits making the year 2000 indistinguishable from the year 1900. Needless to say a cyber-apocalypse never ensued leading to the term Y2K not having any great currency in the new millennium. If you’re under thirty you might not be familiar with the 1993 selection information superhighway, a term for the Internet that hasn’t been used much since of the end of the century.

In recent years, I have found some of the choices of the ADS to be puzzling. For example, in 2013 “because” was the winner due to of the  supposed new usage of the word in introducing a noun, adjective or other part of speech  in expressions such as “because reason” or “because awesome.” One of the voters this year stated that “because should be word the year ‘because useful.’ ” I beg to differ as I don’t find this usage useful and don’t believe it is greatly used. Personally, I would have voted one of the runners-up, selfie as the winner.  The following year the hashtag #blacklivesmatter was the winner, notwithstanding that this extends the definition of what qualifies as a word to a level of absurdity.

As American English is but one of the two major flavours in which English can be savoured, it is only fair that we see British selections for words of the year. To this end, Oxford Dictionaries began similar selections in 2004. In 1877, philologist Henry Sweet predicted that within a century British English and American English would become mutually unintelligible. Clearly this has not occurred; however we do see great divergence in the words Oxford has chosen to honour. For example, the only word with a technological bent was selfie, the 2013 selection. The socio-political words chosen were also very different from those picked by the ADS. In fact, only two of the four would be known by many North Americans; the 2007 choice  carbon footprint and the one in 2008 credit crunch. The other two merit explanation for denizens of Canada and the USA. The 2010 choice squeezed middle refers to the situation where wage increases for the middle class fail to keep pace with inflation. The 2011 selection big society refers to a political ideology whereby a significant amount of responsibility for the functioning of society is devolved to local communities and volunteers.

What I found most interesting about the Oxford selections was how many of the winners come from television culture. For example the 2012 winner omnishambles was a neologism that came out of the BBC political satire show The Thick of It; it referred to a situation shambolic to the extreme. The 2006 winner bovvered was a variation of the word “bothered” as uttered by a character in the program Catherine Tate Show. The character Lauren was prone to ask “Am I bovvered?” when embarrassed.  Most curious, however was the 2009 selection simples which arose out of an advertising campaign featuring an animated meerkat. It became a catchphrase uttered when someone want to convey that something is easy to achieve.

And as in the case of ADS, Oxford  too has become overly liberal in its definition of a word  as  the emoji tears of joy was awarded word of the year in 2015.

(The word of the year for 2016 chosen by ADS was dumpster fire to refer to the state of  political chaos that exists).

Richler’s latest book Wordplay:Arranged and Deranged Wit was published in May2016