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Word of the day

schlep

[ shlep ]

verb (used with object)

to carry; lug: to schlep an umbrella on a sunny day.

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More about schlep

The slang term schlep “to lug, carry” is used mostly in the United States. Schlep is from the Yiddish verb shlepn “to pull, drag” (German schleppen “to draw, tug, haul”). The derivative noun schlepper, “one who schleps,” appears slightly earlier than the verb. Schlepper entered English toward the end of the 19th century; schlep appeared in the early 20th.

how is schlep used?

She had drawn notice as the doctor who would help mechanics schlep gear, fetch coffee and even massage the overworked massage therapists.

Nancy Lofholm, "Crested Butte surgeon scores top spot at Sochi Olympics," Denver Post, January 11, 2014

After a bit of trial and error, you’ll find car-free travel is a liberating choice that forces you to schlep considerably less.

Lauren Matison, "How to Travel Car-Free With a Family," New York Times, December 4, 2019

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Word of the day

hypermnesia

[ hahy-perm-nee-zhuh ]

noun

the condition of having an unusually vivid or precise memory.

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More about hypermnesia

Hypermnesia, a medical or psychological term meaning “the condition of having an unusually vivid or precise memory,” is composed of the familiar prefix hyper-, which usually implies excess or exaggeration, the Greek noun mnêsis “memory,” and the Greek abstract noun suffix –ia. Hypermnesia entered English in the late 19th century.

how is hypermnesia used?

Psychologists have investigated some persons with exceptional memories – said to exhibit “hypermnesia”. The most famous of these was a Russian, code-named “S”, who could recall long random series of numbers or words without error, many years later.

Alun Rees, "If only I could remember her name," New Scientist, December 24, 1994

This sharpened memory is called hypermnesia. A frequent experience in dreaming is a hypermnesia with regard to childhood scenes.

Frederick Peterson, "The New Divination of Dreams," Harper's Magazine, Vol. 115, June 1907

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Word of the day

bromide

[ broh-mahyd ]

noun

a platitude or trite saying.

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More about bromide

The original meaning of bromide was “a chemical compound of two elements: bromine and a second element, such as potassium or sodium.” Potassium bromide and sodium bromide are used in medicine as sedatives and anticonvulsants. The extended use of bromide, “platitude or trite saying” (from its sedative effect), was originally an Americanism, first appearing in print in the early 20th century. Bromide entered English in the first half of the 19th century.

how is bromide used?

the work is its own reward. That may sound like just another bromide, but Gilbert’s love of creativity is infectious ….

Jennifer Reese, "'Big Magic': Elizabeth Gilbert's advice on how you, too, can eat, pray, love," Washington Post, September 17, 2015

I’m intrigued by the way in which his political success … contradicts bromides about the importance, professionally, of making friends and using honey instead of vinegar.

Frank Bruni, "'Nobody Likes' Bernie Sanders. It Doesn't Matter," New York Times, February 26, 2020

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