Quote of the Day
Five exclamation marks, the sure sign of an insane mind
Terry Pratchett
http://grammarandpunctuationmodule4.blogspot.com.au/
Word of the Day
January 17
nettle \NET-ul\
verb
Definition
- to strike or sting
with or as if with nettles
- to arouse to sharp
but transitory annoyance or anger
Examples
"He seemed to have lost interest in their conversation,
and strolled away again, apparently forgetting her. His indifference nettled
her, and she picked up her work, resolved not to offer him the least
assistance." — Edith Wharton, Summer, 1917
If you've ever brushed against nettles, you know those weeds
have stinging hairs that can leave you smarting and itching. The painful and
irritating rash that nettles cause can last for days, but at least it is a rash
with a linguistic silver lining. The discomfort caused by nettles can serve to
remind one that the verb nettle is a synonym of irritate. Nettle originated as
a plant name that we can trace to the Old English word netel. Eventually,
people likened the nagging itch caused by the plant to the nagging aggravation
of being annoyed, and nettle became a synonym of vex, peeve, and of course
irritate.
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