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Six Cromulent Made-Up Words to Enrich Your Vocabulary
Forget flash cards for a minute–learning words can actually be fun. See, the great thing about the English language is just how flexible, fanciful, adaptable, and extendable it is. Individual words evolve with use, kind of like Pokémon. The entirety of vocabulary gets bigger when it needs to, kind of like a Pokémon deck with an expansion pack. And when writers can’t quite capture the correct word in the wild, they concoct one with syllables from other, older words…kind of like how Pokémon scientists built Mewtwo.
Seriously, and video-game metaphors aside, new words (or neologisms, for those without an Orwellian avoidance of all things non Anglo-Saxon) are a whole bunch of fun (kind of like…never mind). Here’s a few choice coinages from literature and beyond to embiggen your vocabulary.
Posted by Blair Thornburgh
Raspberry Almond Coffee Cake
Have you already stumbled when it comes to your New Years resolutions?
Posted by Melissa Karras
Your Favorite Classic-Novel-Turned-Movie Becomes a Video Game
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Hollywood has relied heavily on the tried-and-true stories of yesteryear, and this selection of Winter/Spring film releases is no different. America will be reacquainted with some familiar faces and travel down well-paved storylines with the release of several classic novels on the big screen.
Posted by Jessica S. Marquis
Five Innovative Book Club Ideas
If you’re a reader and a reader of this blog, chances are you have considered joining or are part of a book club. What better way to find your new favorite book and your new best friend than in a group of people that read and talk for fun?
Posted by Sarah Davis
Dress Your Kid Like: Scott Schuman
When it comes to kids clothes, it can be hard to assemble a polished look that can withstand a youngster’s energy. But if there’s anyone who knows how to merge fashion and utility, it’s style photographer and blogger Scott Schuman.
Known best for his street photography blog, The Sartorialist, this newly minted book author also manages to pull off a laid-back personal style but with classic, international flare.
Inspired by his trademark photographer’s cargo jacket and fitted gentleman’s pants, we’ve put together an outfit for a fancy toddler with an early eye for fashion.
Black Cargo Jacket, 77Kids, on sale now for $19.99
Several pockets are essential for storing easy-to-lose gear, like lens caps, CF cards, batteries, GI Joes, LEGOs, ABC gum…
Monet Blue Polo, Old Navy, $9.94
If he’s not killin’ it in a sharp tailored suit, you can find Schuman sporting a crisp blue oxford shirt and slacks. For kids, we suggest a cotton polo instead, for more wiggle room.
Colored Khakis, , Gap $29.95
It’s always important to have a comfy pair of pants when you’re out shooting cool stuff all day. As a budding style photographer, blend in with the fashionistas with relaxed colored slacks.
Boat Shoes, Target, $19.99
Boat shoes for under $20? Need we say we more?
Toy Camera, Romp, $32
Schuman loves timeless looks, so instead of arming your youngster with expensive hardware, top the look off with this polished wooden toy camera by Romp for a truly classic look.
Scott Schuman photo credits:
Posted by Kim-Thao Nguyen
A Horror In Brooklyn! Is H.P. Lovecraft Haunting His Old Haunt?
Once upon a school year dreary, while I pondered weak and weary (as a broke undergrad), I lived in a haunted house.
It was rumored that the rickety, 19th century mansion-cum-student housing was once inhabited by a family annihilator. Unexplained things happened all the time: the television changed channels without warning, and footsteps echoed from the off-limits attic. Belongings disappeared, pictures leapt from walls. A roommate swore on a bottle of Jose Cuervo that she’d once awoken to the nebulous form of what looked like a child at the foot of her bed.
Posted by Carrie Jo Tucker
