“Karat” vs. “Carat”: The Difference Between How These Measure All That Glitters

When you’re buying gold and diamond jewelry, the difference between karats and carats can get confusing—and expensive—really fast.

That’s because karat and carat are used in similar contexts in similar ways (as units of measure), and in some cases and places they can even overlap.

We’ll break down what each word means, what exactly it measures, and review the different ways they’re used. We’ll even cover the homophones carrot and caret—and why there’s no such thing as 25-karat gold.

Quick summary

A carat is a unit of measure for the weight of gemstones, as in an eight-carat diamond or The jewel is 1 carat. In the US and other places, the word karat is typically used as a unit of measure for the purity of gold, as in 14-karat gold and 24-karat gold. In the UK and other places, the spelling carat is applied to both gems and gold.

Is it karat or carat?

Both spellings are used, but they can refer to different things in different places.

The spelling carat is typically always used for the unit of measure for the weight of gemstones, as in a three-carat diamond.

In the US and some other places, the word karat is used as a unit of measure for the purity of gold, as in 14-karat gold and 24-karat gold. In the UK and other places, the spelling carat is used for both gold and jewels.

What does karat mean in gold?

Pure gold is a very soft metal—it’s so soft it can be bent without even being heated. This makes it extremely inconvenient to make jewelry out of. It’s also very expensive. For these reasons, gold jewelry is often made from gold alloys, meaning gold mixed with some other metal.

The amount of gold in an alloy is measured in karats (or carats, in the UK and some other places). The mix is divided into 24 karats, which are kind of like fractions of the metal.

So, 14-karat gold is made of 14 parts gold out of 24 total parts (in other words, it’s about 58% gold). Gold labeled as 24-karat gold is pure gold, which is why it’s so expensive (and malleable). Karat is commonly abbreviated as k. Common karat values are 10k, 14k, 18k, 22k, and 24k (there is nothing above 24k gold, since it is pure gold).

What does carat mean in gems?

In the context of gemstones, and especially diamonds, carat refers to the weight of the stone. A carat is equivalent to .20 grams. In some systems, the weight of a diamond is divided into 100 points, with 100 points equaling one carat. Diamonds over 1 carat are typically described in terms of their carat value: a 2-carat diamond, a 3.5-carat diamond, and so on.

Obviously, the heavier the diamond, the bigger it’s likely to be, so this measurement is often used, on a practical level, as a measure of how large the diamond is. The biggest diamond ever dug up was the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond. But the average size of a diamond in an engagement ring is around 1 carat or less.

Carat vs. carrot (vs. caret)

Here’s a golden nugget of etymology, a real gem: the word karat is a variant of the word carat, which comes from the Medieval Latin carratus, a term once used by alchemists. It comes from Arabic qīrāṭ, meaning “weight of 4 grains,” from the Greek kerátion, meaning “carob bean,” “weight of 3.333 grains,” or, literally, “little horn.”

That little horn might bring to mind the somewhat hornlike appearance of a carrot, and in fact carrot has a distant etymological connection with carat. Carrot is rooted in the Greek kárē, meaning “head.”

Interestingly, the mark known as a caret (‸)—the one used to show where something should be inserted—kind of looks like a carrot, but its name is not etymologically related to carrot or carat. It comes from the Latin meaning “(there) is missing,” from the verb carēre, meaning “to be without.”

Examples of karat and carat used in a sentence

Here are some examples that show how karat and carat are commonly used.

- My parents bought me 24-karat gold earrings for my birthday!
- At 18 karats, this bracelet is a less expensive option.
- They keep a 10-carat diamond in the vault.
- The ring will be set with a jewel of three carats.

Copyright 2024, AAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

What’s In A Name: The Laws That Apply When Naming Your Baby

Can you really name your baby that?!

Picking a baby name that everyone (from grandma to the grocery clerk) likes can be a fruitless, futile endeavor. Coming up with one that confounds the whole world is seemingly a lot easier. Take Elon Musk, chief of Tesla and SpaceX, and singer Grimes, who recently announced the birth of their daughter, Exa Dark Sideræl, or “Y” for short. The “Y” makes more sense when you know that their older son is named X Æ A-12. (Yes, we’re talking about their human son, not the name of a new car or spacecraft.)

Sometimes, parents decide a name change is in order—like when celebrity couple Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott announced that they were going to change their son’s name from Wolf to one that better suits him. In other cases, though, a name change is not a matter of preference but of legality.

Is a baby name with numbers and symbols legal?

Call it peculiar, perplexing, or sensationalistic, but one thing you may not be able to call X Æ A-12 is … legal. When it comes to baby names, the fact is parents don’t always have free rein to choose any name they like. There are laws that limit their choices. These laws vary by state, and they’re arbitrary at best, but they are laws that appear in the books. While some states have strict laws that prohibit obscenities, numbers, and names that are too long, other states have no restrictions.

Take laid-back California, which isn’t so laid back when it comes to baby names. In fact, the state won’t even allow accent marks and other diacritical marks in names like José. This restriction originated in 1986, when Proposition 63 established English as the California’s official language. Names must only contain “the 26 alphabetical characters of the English language with appropriate punctuation if necessary.” And guess where little X Æ A-12 was born? That’s right: the Golden State.

It seems that for now, a California birth certificate can be completed with single dashes in the spaces for first, middle, and last names, and a legal name can be added later, which is exactly what Elon and Grimes have done for their son.

Will he ever need a legal name? Not necessarily. He won’t be arrested for not having one, but he will need one if he wants to obtain a Social Security number, passport, or driver’s license. His parents could consider tweaking his name a bit to make the legal cut, perhaps by spelling out some of the characters as David and Victoria Beckham did with their daughter, Harper Seven.

Why are there laws about baby names?

Not only are baby name laws inconsistent across the country, but if they are meant to protect children from controversial or embarrassing names, they often miss the boat. For example, in a well-publicized New Jersey case, a couple named their son Adolf Hitler Campbell, which is somehow permissible under the state’s law. The law bans names that contain “obscenity, numerals, symbols, or a combination of letters, numerals, or symbols…”, but naming a child after a mass murderer is A-OK.

In most cases, the United States is pretty relaxed about what you can name your child when it comes to the stigma or meaning a name may carry.

However there are some really bizarre cases where baby names have not been allowed in the good ol’ US. For example, in 2013, a Tennessee judge ordered that a baby’s name be changed to Martin instead of Messiah. Her reasoning: “The word Messiah is a title and it’s a title that has only been earned by one person and that one person is Jesus Christ.” That reasoning was later overturned, however, and the baby’s name was changed back to Messiah.

And in Georgia, a couple eventually won a legal battle to give their daughter the surname Allah. The court’s original objection to the name wasn’t any implied meaning, but rather that neither parent had that last name. Plus we don’t have to look far for celebrities who chose rather unusual baby names that have gone unchallenged. Penn Jillette named his child Moxie CrimeFighter, and Nicolas Cage chose Kal-El Coppola, to name a few—all of those passed the legal test.

Whether or not naming moderation is the government’s business is up for debate. Usually, states challenge names for reasons of practicality; for example, a record-keeping software may only allow a certain number of characters or not allow numerical digits. In Arkansas, you can’t name your child Test, Unk, Void, Baby Boy, Infant, or a handful of other names, because its system won’t accept them. In Hawaii, parents can include symbols in names, but for each one, there has to be at least one number too. In New Hampshire, the baby’s first, middle, and last names can’t exceed 100 characters in total.

According to constitutional law expert Carlton F.W. Larson (writing in the The George Washington Law Review), baby naming “is a legal universe that has scarcely been mapped, full of strange lacunae, spotty statutory provisions, and patchy, inconsistent caselaw.”

Are there naming laws in other countries?

Naming laws around the world vary even more and are often even more stringent than those in the United States.

In France, for example, parents have been banned from giving their children names that would “lead to a childhood of mockery,” such as Prince William and Mini Cooper. In Germany, a court ruled that a couple couldn’t name their child Stone because “a child cannot identify with it, because it is an object.” Möwe (“seagull”) was rejected as well, because the bird is “a nuisance and is seen as a pest and would therefore degrade the child.” In Denmark, parents must select from a list of pre-approved names, and if they want to use one that’s not on the list, they must get special permission.

In any case, if you’re planning on having a baby, you may want to check the laws in your locale before you get too attached to a name. Of course, even if your favorite name doesn’t make the grade, nicknames are a whole other, unrestricted territory. Anyone who has ever had a sobriquet like Stinky or Pickle Pop may wish there were some more stringent laws governing them, too.

Copyright 2024, AAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

Fancy Spring Words To Breathe Life Into Your Budding Vocabulary

As Leo Tolstoy wrote in the classic Anna Karenina, “spring is the time of plans and projects.” To put it more bluntly, spring is a time of new growth, new experiences, and, in most of the world, temperamental weather. To encourage your personal growth during this season of change, why not try out some of these sophisticated vocabulary terms related to spring?

verdurous
Verdurous is an adjective meaning “rich in verdure; freshly green; verdant.” Verdure is a fancy word meaning “greenness, especially of fresh, flourishing vegetation.” The word comes from the Middle French verd, meaning “green.” (The modern French equivalent of this word is vert.)

vernal
An adjective that directly relates to the season is vernal, meaning “of or relating to spring.” It is also used figuratively to mean “belonging to or characteristic of youth,” which is just one of many examples of spring being related to new birth or adolescence. Vernal comes from Latin vernālis, meaning “of spring.”

recrudesce
Many of the words in this list end in the suffixes -esce, -escent, or -escence, which are used to denote the beginning of an action. This makes sense if you consider the overall theme of spring, which is the beginning of new life or new experiences. One such word is recrudesce, “to break out afresh, as a sore, a disease, or anything else that has been quiescent.” Quiescent is another fancy word that means “being at rest.”

frondescence
Another word that describes plants shaking off their winter slumber and waking up to spring is frondescence, “the process or period of putting forth leaves, as a tree, plant, or the like.” The word comes from the Latin frondescēns, “becoming leafy.” If the frond- part of the word looks familiar, that’s probably because the English frond means “an often large, finely divided leaf,” from the Latin frond meaning “branch.”

effloresce
Yet another -esce verb on this list is effloresce, “to burst into bloom, blossom.” In chemistry, however, the verb has a specific meaning to describe a surface becoming covered in a “mealy or powdery substance upon exposure to air” or “covered with crystals of salt.” You can imagine it looks like crystals “blooming” on the surface of a substance.

juvenescence
The word is a noun meaning “youth or immaturity” or “the act or process of growing from childhood to youth.” The juven- part of the word comes from the Latin for “young.” This is ultimately the same Latin root we see in the more familiar juvenile, meaning “young” or “youthful.”

renascent
In the spring, it seems as if everything is renascent after the long, cold winter. Renascent means “being reborn; springing again into being or vigor.” The Latin root of this word can also be seen in the word Renaissance, a term given to the “great revival of art, literature, and learning in Europe beginning in the 14th century and extending to the 17th century,” a time when culture was being reborn after the medieval ages.

incalescent
One of the most pleasant aspects of spring is that the weather is incalescent, or “increasing in heat or ardor.” While this term can be used literally to describe something becoming warm, it is also used to describe a growing romance or love, when things are “heating up.”

provenience
The spring is a time when new things begin. In other words, it is the provenience of many creatures. Provenience means “origin; source.” The word provenience is primarily used in archaeology to describe the spot where an object is found or originated, to differentiate from provenance, which describes the chain of ownership of an object.

risorgimento
A term similar to renascent is risorgimento [ ri-zawr-juh–men-toh ], “any period or instance of rebirth or renewed activity.” When capitalized, it refers to a specific period of Italian history during “the period of or movement for the liberation and unification of Italy, 1750–1870.” As you may have guessed, the word risorgimento comes from Italian for “to rise again.”

pullulate
Pullulate is a verb with a variety of meanings, including “to send forth sprouts, buds, etc.; germinate; sprout” and “to exist abundantly; swarm; teem.” In the spring, plants and animals pullulate. The verb pullulate comes from the Latin pullulāre, meaning “to sprout, bring forth young.” Specifically, a pullus in Latin means “chicken,” which is ultimately the root of the French word for chicken, poulet.

fecundate
A verb related to pullulate is fecundate, “to make prolific or fruitful.” The word fecund and its verb form fecundate is ultimately related to root fētus, “bringing forth of young.” If that word looks familiar, that’s because it’s at the root of the English fetus, “the young of an animal in the womb or egg.” It’s all about the birth of new life.

erumpent
One of the first signs of spring is when the crocuses grow erumpent from the cold, hard earth. Erumpent is an adjective that means “bursting forth.” It is also used particularly to describe fungi or algae “projecting from or bursting through host tissue.” The way that mushrooms pop up on the bark of decomposing trees is a good visualization of the meaning of erumpent.

burgeon
Another word that describes the proliferation of new growth that occurs in the spring is burgeon, “to grow or develop quickly; flourish.” Burgeon is generally used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun to mean “a bud; sprout.” The origin of burgeon is pretty interesting; it ultimately comes from the Latin burra meaning “wool, fluff,” likely a reference to the down covering certain buds in spring.

redolent
With all of the new flowers blossoming, trees leafing, and the rain making the world smell of wet dirt, one good word to describe spring is redolent, “having a pleasant odor; fragrant.” This is an adjective that is also used figuratively to mean “suggestive; reminiscent [of].” For example, Her poems are redolent of Keats’s sonnets, or they make one think of Keats’s sonnets.

hyetal
Speaking of the general dampness of spring, one good word to describe this weather is hyetal [ hahy-i-tl ], “of or relating to rain or rainfall.” Unlike the majority of the words on this list which have Latin roots, hyetal comes from the Greek hyetós, which means “rain.” This is why the study of rainfall is technically known as hyetography or hyetology.

salubrious
When the gray clouds of winter lift and a crisp spring breeze blows in, the weather feels especially salubrious, “favorable to or promoting health; healthful.” There’s nothing like a little fresh air to perk you up. Salubrious comes from the Latin salūbris, meaning “promoting health.” The word salutary comes from a similar root, and it means “favorable to or promoting health; healthful.”

Chelidonian
One way to describe a spring breeze is Chelidonian, which is what the ancient Greeks called it. The name comes from the Greek for swallow, because the appearance of the spring wind augured their appearance. It was believed that the swallows flew from Africa to Europe on the Chelidonian winds.

bucolic
Another term from Greek we can use to describe the spring is bucolic, which literally means “of or relating to shepherds; pastoral.” However, it is typically used figuratively to describe any pleasant natural or country scene. Historically, a bucolic was a specific kind of “pastoral poem” that describes the peacefulness or beauty of rural life.

vivify
You may feel particularly vivified in the spring months. Vivify is a verb that means “to give life to; animate; quicken.” The root of vivify is the Late Latin vīvificāre, which roughly translates to “to make live.”

Copyright 2024, AAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

Prepare For The Lavish World Of Bridgerton With Regency Period Words

This spring may be a bit steamier than usual, thanks to the return of the hit Netflix show Bridgerton. This Regency romance with a modern twist took audiences by storm last year with its unpredictable plot, historical setting, and very attractive cast of characters. If you watched the first season last year or you’re catching up now, you may find yourself wondering what some of the historical language in the show actually means. Bridgerton, like a lot of period dramas, is not 100% historically accurate, but the language, costumes, and customs on display do have real roots in the past. Here are 16 words you need to know to get ready for season two and become fluent in the language of Bridgerton.

viscount
You’ve likely heard of a count, but after catching up on Bridgerton, you may be wondering: what in the world is a viscount? We’ve got your back. A viscount is “a nobleman next below an earl or count and next above a baron.” It’s a hereditary title that was first recorded in English in the mid to late 1300s within a peerage or nobility system. You could think of it as a “vice count,” since it’s believed to have come from the equivalent in Old French, visconte.

rake
In the world of Regency romance, a rake is not a gardening tool. It’s an insult dating back to the 1600s that means “a dissolute or immoral person, especially a man who indulges in vices or lacks sexual restraint.” It comes from rakehell, an alteration of the Middle English rakel, meaning “rash, rough, coarse, hasty.” Rakes are the “bad boys” of the Bridgerton era. Of course, on TV, that may be a part of their appeal.

promenade
In 2022, you might make a relationship Instagram official. In the 1800s, you were likely to promenade. Promenade is a verb that means “to conduct or display in or as if in a promenade; parade.” This might mean taking a public walk with the object of your affection to make your courtship known, as Daphne and the Duke of Hastings do in season one. Fun fact: the word prom comes directly from promenade.

duke
You’ve likely heard the title of duke, but what do they actually do? A duke, in historical British society, is “a nobleman holding the highest hereditary title outside the royal family, ranking immediately below a prince and above a marquis.” Dukes hold the highest social rank in British peerage, with the female equivalent being a duchess. This term, which dates back to the 1100s, comes from the Medieval Latin dux, or “hereditary ruler of a small state.”

countenance
Countenance sounds like another fancy title, but it actually refers to “appearance, especially the look or expression of the face.” For example: The duke could scarcely hide his intrigue behind his serene countenance.

Historically, countenance is related to control and the idea of keeping one’s cool, especially in polite society. Though it refers more generally to one’s facial expression today, countenance comes from the Old French contenance, or “behavior, bearing.” The Old French noun comes from the Latin noun continentia “self-control, restraint.”

coming out
In the 19th century, coming out meant something different than it does today. It was customary for young women at the time to come out, or have “a debut into society, especially a formal debut by a debutante.” This typically involved a special ball or series or balls and parties. Essentially, this debut was a signal to the community that the woman was ready for courtship and marriage.

ton
When you hear talk of “the ton” on Bridgerton, they aren’t mispronouncing the word town. Ton means “fashionable society,” particularly high class society during the Regency era. The word comes from le bon ton, a French phrase meaning “good or elegant form or style.” Members of the ton were generally upper class, wealthy, and respected.

Regency
Bridgerton is an example of a regency romance, a genre of historical romance set during the Regency era. Regency, in this sense, means “characteristic of or relating to the Regency periods in France or the United Kingdom or to the styles of architecture, furniture, art, literature, etc, produced in them.” This time period is generally believed to fall between 1811–1820.

season
The season is a big deal to the fictional characters in Bridgerton, but they aren’t necessarily referring to winter, spring, summer, or fall. More likely, they are referring to the social season, or “a period of fashionable social events in a particular place.” The season was a time for coming out, social events, and marriages. It’s thought to have taken place from early spring until around Christmas time.

sire
Today, sire is a respectful, if a little old-fashioned, form of address. But when the word is used in Bridgerton, it’s more likely meant in the archaic sense: “to beget; procreate as the father.” Men at this time were expected to “sire an heir” to secure their lineage and place in high society.

modiste
Any lady fit for a Bridgerton-style ball must have a modiste on hand. That’s an older term for “a female maker of or dealer in women’s fashionable attire.” As you may have guessed, English speakers borrowed the word modiste from French. In the Regency era, a modiste could not only make clothes, but also advise women on what was fashionable and appropriate for various events.

courses
Even Regency-era women had to worry about Aunt Flo crashing the party. Courses is an older, fancier way of saying “menses,” or a period. In the Bridgerton time period, the presence or absence of someone’s period was essentially the only way of determining whether or not she could bear children or was pregnant, so much is made of courses by the women on the show.

high in the instep
If you wanted to drop a sick burn on someone in the 1800s, you might say they were high in the instep. The instep is “the arched upper surface of the human foot between the toes and the ankle,” and accusing someone of being high in the instep was a way of saying they’re conceited, arrogant, or haughty.

virtue
In modern times, we think of virtue as personal morals or values. Historically, the term was mostly about sex. Virtue meant “chastity; virginity”, especially in reference to women and girls. It was considered of the utmost importance for a woman to “keep her virtue” until marriage. The word entered English in the late 1100s, and it can be traced to the Latin virtūs, or “manliness.”

trousseau
Bridgerton is part romance and part historical fashion education. A trousseau is “an outfit of clothing, household linen, etc., for a bride.” The word comes from Old French trusse, literally “a little bundle.” In some instances, a trousseau may also have included jewelry and other items and been a part of a woman’s dowry. While dowries aren’t a part of modern wedding traditions, some brides still prepare a trousseau of things they intend to wear throughout their wedding festivities.

swoon
Now that your vocabulary is ready for the next season of Bridgerton, it’s time to let the swooning commence. To swoon means “to enter a state of hysterical rapture or ecstasy.” Whether you have a favorite duke, duchess, viscount, or modiste, chances are you’ll be acting out this term at least a few times when they appear on screen. Keep in mind that swoon comes from the Middle English swonen, or “to faint.” You may want to binge-watch carefully.

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

Should You Say “Octopuses” Or “Octopi”?

It’s the internet’s favorite eight-armed plural debate: octopuses vs. octopi. (And that relative newcomer, octopodes.)

Is there a “correct” plural for octopus? And what’s with the -i in octopi?

In this article, we’ll wrap our tentacles around these questions, break down the differences between each term, and tell you which terms are acceptable and most commonly used.

Quick summary
Both octopuses and octopi are acceptable plurals for octopus. Of the two, octopuses is the simpler and more commonly used. The proposed plural octopodes is based on the plural of the Ancient Greek word from which octopus ultimately derives. But it’s rarely used outside of the octopuses vs. octopi debate.
Is it octopuses or octopi?
Like the octopus itself, the English language is, in many cases, very flexible: both octopuses and octopi are acceptable and commonly used plural forms of octopus (despite what anyone on the internet may say).

But why octopi? Well, in Latin, there’s a class of words that end in -us. These words get pluralized by replacing -us with -i. Many English words with strong roots in Latin have retained this pluralization pattern—think alumnus/alumni and stimulus/stimuli.

Along with octopus, there are a few cases in which both endings are used, including: platypuses/platypi; cactuses/cacti; syllabuses/syllabi; and thesauruses/thesauri (though, if you ask us, a plural is unnecessary here since you really only need one thesaurus).

Still, in all these cases, it’s more common to pluralize with a plain old -es.

If you’re looking for a tie-breaker, consider this: scientists who study these creatures seem to prefer the plural octopuses (though of course the preference is not universal).

What about octopodes?
Some people object to the plural -i ending in octopi because octopus actually derives from the Latinized form of the Greek word oktṓpous (meaning “eight-foot”). The plural of this word would be oktṓpodes.

Based on this, some have proposed the plural octopodes. Reverse-engineering a word’s plural to match its language of origin is a strange way to go about using language (especially when there are two perfectly good plurals right there), so octopodes is not commonly used. Still, some people like to use it (especially to spice up the octopuses vs. octopi debate).

P.S. Don’t confuse octopodes with the word octopods, which refers to the eight-armed cephalopod mollusks of the order or suborder Octopoda, including octopuses and paper nautiluses.

P.P.S. (Platypus Postscript) Platypus has an origin similar to octopus (from the Greek platýpous, meaning “flat-footed”), so the equivalent hypothetical plural would be platypodes. But we don’t see platypodes happening anytime soon.

Do you know the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?

Examples of octopuses and octopi used in a sentence
You have encountered more than one octopus and you want to know how to describe your situation. Check out these example sentences, in which we show how octopuses and octopi are always interchangeable.

- Octopuses/octopi are often solitary.
- We saw not one but two octopuses/octopi during our dive today!
- Different types of octopuses/octopi can vary greatly in size.

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

5 Types Of Character Traits To Help You Create Your Complex Characters

Characters are arguably the most important part of any fictional work. Whether in a book, television show, or movie, characters are the ones audiences identify with and the vehicles for telling the entire story. But how do you go about creating characters that people will love, fear, want to know more about, and find utterly unforgettable?

It all begins with a character’s traits. Character traits are the essential building blocks of every character in a story, and choosing the right traits can help establish unique identities that will engage your audience from start to finish. Here’s what you need to know about writing great characters, the unique words you need to describe those characters, and how to get started on creating your own complex characters from scratch.

What are character traits?
When you meet a new person, you often learn about them by observing their traits. A trait is “a distinguishing characteristic or quality, especially of one’s personal nature.” The characters in stories have traits as well.

A character trait is a literary term for adjectives and descriptions that writers use to add personality and depth to characters. In fictional stories, character traits serve a number of purposes, including:

- Helping readers connect and identify with a character.
- Providing insight into a character’s motivations.
- Making it easier to differentiate between two characters.
- Solidifying a character’s role, such as villain or hero, in the story.
- Adding complexity to each character.


Character traits may be internal or external. External traits are things another person might notice, like how someone looks, their particular accent when speaking, or how they carry themselves. Internal traits have more to do with what’s going on inside a character’s mind. They are the emotional elements, private thoughts, and actions that make up a character’s personality.

The many different kinds of character traits
When it comes to deciding on traits for your own characters, there are no rules. Just like no two people on earth are exactly alike, no two characters in a story will ever be exactly alike. Let’s check out some words you might use when describing your own characters’ one-of-a-kind traits.

Personality

charming
stoic
approachable
reclusive
ambitious
impulsive
demanding
poised
distrustful
even-tempered


Physical attributes

lanky
energetic
petite
elegant
curvaceous
rugged
stately
graceful
fumbling
brawny


Beliefs and morals

philosophical
judicious
greedy
pious
deceptive
spiritual
altruistic
haughty
stingy
revolutionary


Classic hero traits

courageous
adventurous
honorable
sincere
visionary
persistent
humble
reliable
honest
noble


Classic villain traits

envious
demonic
unscrupulous
furtive
mischievous
deceitful
brutal
powerful
wounded
resourceful


Building characters
Now that you’re armed with a great character vocabulary, let’s learn a little more about how to build characters.

Option one: Start with the character
One method of character building is to begin with an idea of your character’s role or defining trait and build from there. For example: a queen.

Ask yourself questions about your character’s motivations and the way others see them.

- What does the queen look like?
- How did the queen ascend to power?
- Do people like this character? Why or why not?
- What is someone’s first impression of this character?
- What is this character afraid of?
- What does this character want more than anything?

As you answer questions about your character, their physical appearance, beliefs, personality and motivations will begin to emerge. The next step is to write them into a scene and see how these qualities impact their actions and interactions.

Option two: Start with traits
On the writing podcast Death of 1000 Cuts, author Tim Clare frequently uses timers and lists to flesh out ideas for everything from characters to story locations to plot points. The idea is to let the creative flow and avoid overthinking things.

Try setting a timer for 10 minutes and making a list of interesting traits a character might possess. These might include physical attributes, personality quirks, preferences, and strengths and weaknesses, like:


smart
anxious
curly hair
wears a lot of purple
loves video games
hates chocolate
lives in outer space
holds grudges
ambitious


Once time has lapsed, look at your list and start to dig into the traits you wrote down. Circle 8–10 character traits and begin to flesh them out. How do these traits work together? How did your character come to possess these traits?

As you begin to write your characters into scenes, their traits will solidify and you will get to know them better. Before you know it, they will feel real, and the traits you spent time cultivating will help drive the rest of your story.

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

Pun, Pangrams, Palindromes, And More: Discover Types Of Word Play

Words are powerful, and a masterful use of words can change the world. At the same time, words have a fun side to them too. While the English language often seems to exist purely to confuse us, English also has a silly side that can make us laugh and smile. Are you skeptical? Well, we have dug deep into the English toy box to find a bunch of different ways we can play with words. Fair warning: those that have a low tolerance for dad jokes will want to leave immediately.

Puns

By definition, a pun is a humorous use of a word with multiple meanings or a funny use of a word as a substitute for a similar sounding word. The related terms punning, play on words, and paronomasia are often used to refer to the act of making puns. The term double entendre refers to a type of wordplay that also uses words with multiple meanings, albeit usually in a more risqué manner than a whimsical pun.

Examples of puns

Puns that involve words with multiple meanings:

The young monkeys went to the jungle gym for some exercise.
The investor in the bakery demanded a larger piece of the pie.
The art competition ended in a draw.
The maestro turned away from the orchestra as they told him the bad news; he couldn’t face the music.

Puns that involve similar sounding words:

- She claimed the big cat was a tiger, but we knew she was lion.
- When he asked me what the flowers should smell like, I told him to use common scents.
- As it turned out, the runners themselves had rigged the race. It was an inside jog.
- The negotiations over the birds went poorly; neither side would give a finch.

Tom Swifty

A Tom Swifty is a fun use of words that follows a quote, usually said by a fictional Tom, using a punny adverb. The term Tom Swifty was coined by writer Willard Espy and named after the Tom Swift series of books, which tended to use a lot of adverbs to describe dialogue.

Examples of Tom Swifties

“I have frostbite,” Tom said coldly.
“I’m stocked on all the essentials,” Jess said needlessly.
“We feel really bad about what we did,” the children said shamefully.

Stinky Pinky

Stinky pinky, also known as stinky pinkie and by many other names, is a word game in which players try to guess a rhyming phrase based on a definition. The phrase “stinky pinky” itself is a possible answer when playing the game. It is unknown who invented the game or named it, but word games with the name “stinky pinky” can be traced back to at least the 1940s.

Stinky Pinky examples

Clue: “Stone timepiece” Answer: Rock clock.
Clue: “Road pork” Answer: Street meat.
Clue: “A young cat’s gloves” Answer: Kitten’s mittens.

Spoonerisms

A spoonerism is a, usually accidental, swapping of initial sounds of two words. The term spoonerism is named for Oxford lecturer William Archibald Spooner, a notoriously nervous speaker who often swapped the beginnings of words when he spoke publicly.

Spoonerism examples

- It is tinner dime. (“dinner time”)
- He used to work on a bail soat. (“sail boat”)
- Happy dogs love to tag their wails. (“wag their tails”)

Kennings

A kenning is a metaphorical or poetic phrase that is conventionally used in place of another term.

Kenning examples

gumshoe = a detective
pencil pusher = an office worker
tree-hugger = an environmentalist

Pig Latin

Pig Latin is a form of language, usually used by children, in which the first consonant or consonant sound is placed at the end of a word followed by the sound ā (written as “ay”).

Example: Ancay ouyay eakspay igpay atinlay? (“Can you speak pig Latin?”)

Palindromes

A palindrome is a word, phrase, or sentence that reads the same if read forward or backward.

Palindrome examples

Single words:

madam
eve
noon

Multiple words:

dog god
ward draw
live evil

Sentences:

A man, a plan, a canal. Panama!
Madam, I’m Adam!
Was it a cat I saw?

Anagrams

An anagram is a word, phrase, or sentence formed by rearranging the letters of another.

Anagram examples

porter is an anagram of report
attics is an anagram of static
pub toss is an anagram of bus stop

Antigrams

An antigram is an anagram that means the opposite of the original word or phrase it was formed from.

Examples

on the sly is an antigram of honestly
arise late is an antigram of earliest
over fifty is an antigram of forty-five

Pangrams

A pangram is a phrase or sentence that includes every letter of the alphabet. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog is a famous example of a pangram. Some other fun examples of things that rely on alphabet-based challenges include lipograms, heterograms, tautograms, autograms, and kangaroo words.

Ambigrams

An ambigram is a word or visual design that reads the same or creates a new word or image when flipped upside down or reversed. For example, the word dollop is an example of an ambigram because it would still theoretically read as “dollop” even when turned upside down.

Acrostics

An acrostic is a set of lines or verses where certain letters spell out a hidden message.

Example:

Curious
Agile
Territorial
Smart

Backronyms

A backronym is an existing word turned into an acronym by creating an appropriate phrase that it could serve as an acronym for.

Examples

Ghost is a backronym of “ghoul haunting our spooky town.”
Car is a backronym of “carrying all riders.”
Alligator is a backronym of “a large lizard is grinning at the other reptiles.”

Rhyming, alliteration, assonance, and consonance

These four words all have to do with using words that have similar sounds. Most people are familiar with rhyming, which typically refers to using words with similar-sounding endings as in The big pig ate a fig. The word alliteration means to use words with similar-sounding beginnings or words that start with the same letter. Assonance means to use similar-sounding vowels anywhere in words when rhyming, whereas consonance means to use similar-sounding consonant sounds anywhere in words when making a rhyme.

Alliteration examples

She sells seashells by the sea shore.
Big bunnies bounded behind busy birds.
Ten tenants took twenty tents to Thailand.

Assonance examples

We see these bees.
Leave the cleaver for the skeevy beaver.
Doodle the Cool Poodle wants oodles of noodle strudel.

Consonance examples

Look! The crook took cook books!
Ross, toss the sauce to our boss Joss.
We heard the third nerdy bird’s words.

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

The Wait Is Over! Learn If You Should Use “‘Til” or “Till”

If you feel like until has just too many letters or syllables, good news: you’ve got options. But should you use ’til or till? And what’s the difference, anyway?

By the end of this article, you’ll know the differences between until, till, and ’til, including in terms of origin, level of formality, and use.

Quick summary
Until, till, and ’til all mean the same thing. The informal contraction ’til is a shortening of until that’s typically only used in informal contexts. The word till is a separate word altogether—it’s actually older than until. Till isn’t informal, but it can seem that way due to the informality of ’til, which sounds exactly the same.

’til vs. till
The word ’til is a shortening of until that, like many contractions, is typically reserved for informal contexts. It’s sometimes spelled without the apostrophe, especially in casual use. (Technically speaking, ’til is an example of the linguistic process known as aphesis, which involves the disappearance or loss of an unstressed initial vowel or syllable.)

Till is sometimes seen as a misspelling of ’til, but that’s not the case. It’s actually a separate word altogether with a variety of meanings, one of which means the same exact thing as ’til.

till or until
Till and until are completely interchangeable—they mean the same exact thing and can be used in all the same ways, including as a conjunction or preposition. They both have a very long history of use in English, but in fact till is even older than until: the first records of till come from before 900, with the first records of until coming in the 1100s. (Until and till are based on the same root.)

Even though they’re interchangeable, till may seem more informal than until to some people because it’s so similar to the shortening ’til. For this reason, some people avoid using till in formal contexts. Still, you can never really go wrong using till.

The occasional rendering of ’till with an apostrophe (certainly influenced by ’til) is generally considered a misspelling—and frankly unnecessary, since till is right there to use.

Examples of ’til, till, and until used in a sentence
Until, till, and ’til are interchangeable in meaning, but people often choose which one they use based on how formal they want to be. This means that ’til is typically being avoided in formal contexts, which sometimes leads to the avoidance of till as well. Still, in any of the examples below, any one of the terms could be used if formality were not a consideration.

- I thought it was a great offer until I realized there are no benefits attached.
- I stay up till midnight every so often, but rarely any later.
- The sign says “Open ’til midnight,” so we’ve still got time.

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

“Disc” vs. “Disk”: Get Around The Different Uses For Each One

The question of whether to use disc or disk can be a bit circular: in some cases, one is definitely preferred, but in many cases their use overlaps—meaning they’re often interchangeable. This is because both words typically refer to something round and flat (though not always, as we’ll see). The difference, when there is one, usually just depends on what the established preference is.

The discrepancies can be disconcerting, but we hope this discussion will help you discard any confusion or discontent.

Quick summary
Disc and disk can be and are used interchangeably in many contexts, though disk may be slightly more common. The D in CD and DJ (usually) stands for disc, which is the spelling also used in disc golf. The spelling disk is usually used in the context of computer storage in terms like disk drive, floppy disk, and hard disk. It’s also usually used when referring to intervertebral disks—the ones in the spine.

Should I use disc or disk?
In most cases, disc and disk can be—and are—used interchangeably. In general, the word disk was once much more commonly used, but the two words now have a relatively similar level of use.

This all means that there’s really no good rule to remember when to spell it one way or the other. Instead, here’s a handy list showing which spelling is more commonly used in a specific term or a particular context.

disc golf
The various types of flat, plastic circles that are thrown in various games (including disc golf) can all be called discs. The type of flying disc used for a casual toss—and in the sport known as Ultimate—is popularly known by the brand name Frisbee.

compact disc, disc jockey
In the context of music, the D in CD and DJ most often stands for disc—though you may see disk used in some cases. And, technically speaking, a musical compact disc can be considered a type of compact disk, the broader name for any 4.75-in (12-cm) optical disk (which, yes, can also be called an optical disc).

disk drive, disk space, hard disk, magnetic disk, floppy disk
In the context of computer data storage, the spelling is usually disk.

Anyone just now discovering what a floppy disk is might be wondering why it’s called a disk when it’s square rather than round, but it’s because the actual disk inside the plastic shell is actually round. You can remember to use the spelling with a k in this context because floppy disks are sometimes called diskettes (not “discettes”).

slipped disk, herniated disk
The pads between the spinal vertebrae are usually called disks or intervertebral disks.

flat, circular objects
In general, any thin, flat, circular plate or object—or one that at least appears to be round and flat—can be referred to as a disk or a disc. While the spelling disc is very common in general, the spelling disk is probably even more common, especially in several specific contexts.

astronomy
Surfaces of heavenly bodies appear flat during regular observation, and for this reason they are often referred to as disks, as in the disk of the moon and the solar disk.

biology
Roundish, flat structures in a body can be called disks, as in blood disk (also called a platelet) and germinal disk (also called a blastodisk).

geometry
The domain bounded by a circle can be called the disk.

plants and flowers
The central portion of the flowerhead is called the disk.

Examples of disc and disk used in a sentence
That was a lot of info! Let’s see some examples of these senses in use.

- The mysterious disc in the video—purported to be an extraterrestrial craft—turned out to be a Frisbee.
- Growing up, I always wanted to be a radio disc jockey, but that’s only because podcasters didn’t exist yet.
- The telescope is set up to observe the disk of the moon.
- I want to copy the contents of the floppy disk to the hard disk—is that possible?
- How much disk space is available?
- She’s been out of work with a herniated disk.

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

“Ingress” vs. “Egress”: Do You Know The Difference?

Ingress and egress look and sound like they’re opposites, and they are. They’re primarily used in the context of entrances and exits, especially in architecture and other fields related to planning how people get in and out of places.

You can probably guess from the in in ingress that it generally means “the act of going in” or refers to an entryway. But there’s a lot more to know about these words and how exactly they’re used—including in astronomy and in terms like egress window. Join us as we get into the ins and outs of ingress and egress.

Quick summary

Ingress can refer to both the act of entering or to an entryway (an entrance) itself. Egress refers to both the act of exiting or to an exit itself. In astronomy, they’re used in a more specific way relating to heavenly bodies (like planets) entering into or emerging from an eclipse.

What does ingress mean?

Ingress means “the act of entering,” “the right of entering,” or “the means of entering.” The last sense is typically the one used in relation to architecture and related fields. A point of ingress in a building is an entryway. It’s a concise way of referring to a place where people can enter that avoids using a more specific term, like door (since points of ingress might not all technically be doors). The word isn’t always used in relation to buildings—it could be applied to parking lots, for example, which often have multiple points of ingress for vehicles to enter.

In astronomy, ingress is another word for immersion, the entrance of a heavenly body (such as a planet or a moon) into an eclipse caused by another heavenly body (like when the moon moves into Earth’s shadow) or into another instance of their paths crossing in some way (such as an occultation or a transit).

What does egress mean?

Egress means “the act of going out,” “the right to go out,” or “the means of going out.” The last sense is the one used in relation to architecture and related fields. For example, a fire safety code often requires a building to have multiple points of egress—places for people to exit, such as doors and fire escapes. A parking lot might have some one-way access points devoted to ingress and others devoted to egress.

In astronomy, egress is another word for emersion, the emergence or exit of a heavenly body from an eclipse, occultation, or transit—that is, when it comes back into view.

What is an egress window?

An egress window is a window or skylight that can serve as an exit in an emergency. They’re not intended to be regular means of access—they’re typically much smaller than doors, just big enough for a person to crawl through in case of something like a fire or a building collapse. You’ll especially see the term used in building codes and plans.

Where do ingress and egress come from?

The -gress part in both words ultimately comes from the Latin gradī, meaning “to go, step, walk”; this verb is also the origin of the word grade. The prefix in- means, yep, “in,” and the prefix e- is a variant of ex-, which means “out” and is also used to form the word exit.

What is the difference between ingress and egress?

The difference between ingress and egress might seem obvious: ingress refers to an entrance, and egress refers to an exit. And generally that’s true. Of course, it’s very common for many access points to be used for both ingress and egress—you come in the same door you go out. But in architecture and site planning, it’s often important to differentiate the two for many different reasons, such as accessibility, safety, and proper traffic flow.

Even though the words are used in more specific ways in astronomy, the basic idea is the same: ingress involves entering, and egress involves emerging or exiting.

Remember: ingress goes in and egress exits.

Examples of ingress and egress used in a sentence

Take a look at some example sentences to help you remember the difference between ingress and egress.

- The room has two points of egress, but only one point of ingress—one door is an emergency door that only opens outward.
- The developer plans to add another ingress point for the proposed neighborhood so that residents can enter from the south end.
- The investigation revealed that a broken door prevented egress.
- You’ll have to add an egress window to get the basement up to code.
- The moon began egress, exiting Earth’s shadow.

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

“Disaster” Synonyms For When Things Don’t Go As Planned

Most of the time, we like to keep things positive around here and provide you with plenty of inspiring, motivational words to brighten up your day. This … this is not that list.

Are you done setting intentions? Are you through repeating mantras into the mirror? Do you just need a perfectly wretched word to capture what’s not working right now? Then this is the list for you. We’ve traveled through hell and goat rodeos to bring you the words that will describe the snafus and fiascos of your life or the world around you.

If your desperate times call for desperate words, here are 20 provocative synonyms for the word disaster and some example sentences to inspire use.

apocalypse

We begin our list with a disaster of Biblical proportions. The word apocalypse originally comes from the Greek apokálypsis, meaning “revelation.” Since at least the 1100s, the word apocalypse has been used to refer to the Book of Revelation in the Christian Bible, which tells how the world will be nearly destroyed when good finally defeats evil. Today, the word apocalypse is often used generally (and ominously) to refer to a doomsday-level scenario.

Example: You’d think, by the mess in the kitchen, that we were witnessing a true apocalypse.

bloodbath

The word bloodbath is often used to describe violent slaughters or massacres. The word creates the mental image of a carnage so intense that someone could take a bath in the spilled blood. Figuratively, though, bloodbath is used to describe disastrous events or severe instances of bad fortune. While this word came to English in the 1800s, a similar term, blodbad (literally “bath in blood”), was recorded in the 1500s in Swedish.

Example: If our star player can’t play, the opening game is going to be a bloodbath.

cataclysm

Cataclysm is a word so disastrous that it rocks the entire Earth to its core. The word cataclysm means “a violent upheaval” and is used in geography to refer to violent events that manage to alter the surface of Earth. This is the word you need if you want to literally or figuratively describe something as earth-shaking.

Example: Barring an unforeseen cataclysm, this family is finally going on vacation this summer.

fiasco

The word fiasco means “a complete and ignominious failure” and has a bit of a strange history. Fiasco is an Italian word that literally translates to “bottle,” and it is related to the word flask. The English meaning of “failure” comes from the Italian idiom fare fiasco which means “to fail” (though it literally translates to “make a bottle”).

Example: My spouse somehow managed to salvage the dessert fiasco I haphazardly concocted.

bouleversement

We go from a strange Italian word to an even stranger (or at least longer) French one. The word bouleversement means “an overturning” or “turmoil.” This is the one you want if you really need to bring out the twenty-dollar word.

Example: The rebel leader said that the country would emerge from the bouleversement stronger than it had ever been.

calamity

Get the tissues ready, because our next word is calamity. Calamity is a synonym of disaster, but it indicates that a horrific event specifically caused misery and lots of tears—so, like a dentist appointment?

Example: I’ve been beset with calamity after calamity since the pandemic started, and I’m losing it.

catastrophe

Catastrophe is a synonym that can highlight the destruction and loss brought about by a tremendous event. If nothing is left standing or a disaster will continue to cause pain and suffering for the foreseeable future, we might label it a catastrophe.

Example: Did you see the bathroom after the pipe burst? What a catastrophe!

pandemonium

Things have gone to hell in a hand basket thanks to our next word: pandemonium. Pandemonium refers to a wild state of disorder, noise, and chaos. This disastrous word actually comes from Pandaemonium, the name that John Milton used for the capital of hell in Paradise Lost.

Example: The muddy dogs tore through the living room, knocking over two lamps, and pandemonium ensued.

debacle

The word debacle is one of several that implies a failure was caused by failure or incompetence, especially ones that result from disorganization. Its original meaning in the 1800s, however, referred to a “breaking up of ice in a river” or rush of water “which breaks down opposing barriers, and carries before it blocks of stone and other debris.” That does sound like a mess.

Example: With half the students out sick, the class performance devolved into a total debacle.

blunder

The word blunder is a synonym of the word mistake and is often used to describe an error resulting from severe incompetence or stupidity. Unlike most of the other words on this list, blunder can also be used as a verb (“to make a careless or stupid mistake”).

Example: The clumsy waiter spilled wine on the mayor and was later fired for this horrible blunder.

epic fail

LOL! The slang term epic fail is used to describe particularly humiliating mistakes. Our disastrous list of words has been bad so far, but epic fail might just be the worst of the bunch. Why? Because this is the phrase to use when that embarrassing mistake has been broadcast on social media! (And once that happens, only an especially clever cat meme can save you.)

Example: ROFL My brother just fell into the pool! #epicfail

meltdown

With our next word, our disaster has just gone nuclear. Meltdown is a word used to refer to severe nuclear reactor accidents. It’s figuratively used to describe sudden situations that quickly spiral out of control.

Example: The guitarist’s meltdown surprised no one, given tensions have been high between band members.

kick in the teeth

Ouch! The idiom kick in the teeth refers to a sudden and humiliating setback. Why a kick? In the English language, slang phrases like kick in the head and kick in the pants rely on the image of a kick (instead of punches) to describe particularly humiliating blows.

Example: The terrible reviews were a real kick in the teeth for the young Broadway star.

goat rodeo

Giddyup, cowboys and cowgirls, because it’s time to wrangle some … goats? Goat rodeo is an example of one of several goat-related slang terms for monumental screwups. A relatively new term from the 2000s, it creates a good mental image of a wild rodeo full of screaming goats. You may have heard the term goat-roping (used similarly) and other more obscene versions, but goat rodeo is considered the most extreme of all. We repeat, a goat rodeo is as disastrous as a situation can get.

Example: This is no concert. It’s a goat rodeo of drunk performers and technical difficulties!

dog’s breakfast

This list has really gone to the dogs. The slang term dog’s breakfast, mainly used in Canada and the UK, describes a confused, disorderly mess. The phrase most likely refers to the fact that many dogs will eat pretty much anything you put in front of them. In any case, dog’s breakfast is a fun word to use when everything has gone to “Shih Tzu.”

Example: The drive was an absolute dog’s breakfast. We arrived two hours late after being stuck in traffic and getting lost.

disarray

Disarray describes a situation that is especially chaotic, disorganized, or marred by confusion. Disarray is a word you can use when you’ve got a disorderly mess or a comedy of errors on your hands.

Example: Hyped up on cake and sugar, the children left the room in a state of total disarray.

turmoil

Turmoil is another word to convey that you’re in the midst of great confusion or disorder. Fittingly, we are not actually sure where this verb-turned-noun originates from.

Example: Without enough employees to cover the day’s shift, the company was thrown into turmoil.

dumpster fire

The slang term dumpster fire means something is so disastrously bad it is beyond all hope of saving. Often, the dumpster fire is result of terribly bad decisions or extraordinary levels of incompetence. It’s best to stay the heck away from a dumpster fire because, as its name implies, it is likely to just keep getting worse.

Example: The movie was a complete dumpster fire that didn’t get a single positive review.

shitshow

The not-very-nice word shitshow is used to describe essentially the same situation as a dumpster fire: a mess that is completely unsalvageable. To go the extra mile, shitshow throws in a swear word to capture the magnitude of a truly unbelievable disaster.

Example: Last year was a real shitshow but I’m hoping things turn around soon.

snafu and fubar

It might be time for reinforcements. Snafu and fubar are two abbreviations that can be traced back to military jargon and have some … colorful meanings. Snafu stands for “situation normal: all f–ed up” and fubar stands for “f–ed up beyond all reason.” Now fix the disaster, cadet, and then drop and give us twenty!

Example: The trip started with a series of major snafus, like when the luggage arrived in the wrong city.

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

“Fruit” vs. “Vegetable”: Thyme To Explain The Actual Difference

Trying to classify what’s a fruit and what’s a vegetable isn’t always cut and dry. In fact, the debate about it can get pretty juicy—seedy, even. This all stems from the fact that some things we eat are technically fruits but are almost always called vegetables (and treated like vegetables, too). Some people make a distinction based on the level of sweetness, but the difference—from the perspective of a botanist, at least—is less a matter of taste and more a matter of which part of the plant you’re eating.

This article will get to the root of which foods are fruits, which are vegetables, and which are actually fruits despite always getting placed with the vegetables at the grocery store. You’ll come away with answers to these questions and more:

What exactly is the difference between fruits and vegetables?
Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable?
Is a potato a vegetable?
Are berries fruit?
What about nuts?

We’ll even include a list of the fruits and vegetables whose categorization status most often pits people against each other, along with their technical classification and what they’re usually considered in culinary use. (Spoilage alert: the fruit and veggie puns are already pretty ripe, but they’re going to get even grosser.)

Quick summary

Technically speaking, a fruit is a plant’s developed ovary that comes from a flower and contains one or multiple seeds. The term vegetable is much broader—it refers to any part of a plant that’s used for food, including the roots, tubers, stems, and leaves. Many of the foods that we casually call vegetables, like tomatoes, are technically fruits. Still, it’s a technical distinction that’s usually ignored in practical contexts, such as menus or the layout of the produce section.

What is the difference between a fruit and a vegetable?

To a botanist, the word fruit specifically refers to the edible part of a seed plant that develops from a flower into a ripened ovary that contains one or more seeds—fertilized seeds capable of generating a new plant. Fruits come from many different types of plants: apples grow on trees, grapes grow on vines, and blueberries grow on shrubs, for example. The botanical definition of a fruit has nothing to do with whether or not it tastes sweet.

The word vegetable tends to make us think of savory (and nonsweet) flavors. But vegetable simply means any part of a plant that is grown primarily for food. This can be the leaves (spinach), the root (carrots), the tuber (potatoes), the flower (broccoli), the stalk (celery), or other parts—including the fruit. Yes, definitionally speaking, fruits are actually just one type of vegetable (because they’re an edible part of a plant).

Still, people don’t usually think about their fruits and vegetables in terms of strict, definition-specific distinctions. In everyday, nonscientific contexts, we usually make the distinction between a fruit and a vegetable based on how we eat it and what dishes we put it in, especially according to whether it’s sweet or not. To most of us, fruits are the edible, usually sweet parts of a plant—often ones that are eaten raw, squeezed for juice, or used in desserts.

Many things that are technically fruits are commonly treated as vegetables (and even sometimes the other way around). Here are some whose categorizations are among the most ambiguous.

Tomato: fruit or vegetable?

It’s both. No matter how you slice it, a tomato is technically a fruit (the seed-filled ovary of the plant), but it’s typically treated as (and called) a vegetable. The classification confusion is understandable, given its savory but sweet flavor and the fact that it’s commonly used in savory dishes in the same way that vegetables usually are. Even the Supreme Court has had trouble with putting the fruit in the right category. In 1893, the high court of the US decided a tomato is a vegetable because of the way it’s used in cooking, regardless of the botanical categorization.

Just because the scientific definition is clear doesn’t mean the issue is settled. Perhaps the distinction is best summarized by the quote, often attributed to journalist Miles Kington, that “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.” But even that notion has been contradicted by countless cooks—search some variation of tomato and watermelon salad recipe and you’ll get millions of hits.

Is a cucumber a fruit?

The cucumber plant is part of the gourd family. The part that people eat (and turn into pickles) is the fruit of the plant. So while you might not think of a cucumber salad as a kind of fruit salad, cucumbers do fit the technical definition of a fruit. It’s a good reminder that taste and how people commonly prepare a food have little to do with its scientific classification.

Is a coconut a fruit?

A coconut is the fruit of the coconut palm. It falls into the subcategory of fruits called drupes, which are distinguished by an outer skin, a fleshy middle, and a hard woody shell over a single seed. However, unlike other drupes in which the flesh covering the seed is what’s eaten (like peaches or cherries), the edible part of the coconut is the meat just inside that last interior shell.

Is a potato a vegetable?

The potato is part of the same family of plants (the nightshade family) as the tomato, the eggplant, and some peppers. But unlike those, it’s classified as a vegetable because the part of the plant that’s eaten is the tuber part of the root, as opposed to the reproductive organ.

Many people asking “Is a potato a vegetable?” are really asking if they can count it as one nutritionally, like they do green vegetables. Traditionally, potatoes have been considered a starch, but they’re full of nutrients, including vitamins C, B1, B3, and B6, as well as minerals like iron, potassium, and folate.

Is a carrot a fruit?

This is an easy one—carrots are definitely vegetables, not fruits. Like potatoes, carrots are a type of root vegetable. The greens of the plant are edible, but carrots are grown for the bright orange (or purple, or white, or yellow) taproot growing underneath.

Remember, vegetables can come from all parts of the plant, be it the roots, leaves, stalks, or other parts. Keeping that in mind can be useful when sorting out whether something belongs in the vegetable category or the fruit category.

But here’s an easier way—we’ll just tell you. Produce this produce list any time there’s a rhubarb concerning edible plant facts.

Are berries fruit? What about nuts?

You might be thinking that grains are a surprising inclusion in the fruit category. They aren’t the only fruits that often get left out of the fruit conversation, either. Nuts, berries, and pods (such as peas) are also technically fruits.

A berry is a small fruit that usually has small seeds embedded, as in grapes and blueberries. Tomatoes, in fact, also fall into this group. From a botanical standpoint, only simple fruits—those that develop from a single ovary in a single flower—are berries. Still, some other fruits commonly called berries, like strawberries and raspberries, are technically aggregate fruits, meaning they develop from multiple ovaries of a single flower. Some fruits commonly classified as berries, such as the mulberry, are multiple fruits, meaning they come from the ovaries of several individual flowers.

Nuts are also simple fruits, albeit ones eaten dry. These have an edible inside that’s enclosed in a hard shell, like a chestnut or hazelnut. Some other things that we call nuts, like walnuts and almonds, aren’t nuts from a botanical perspective, but are instead the kind of fruits classified as drupes (like coconuts), since the shells are covered in a fleshy outside. Peanuts are also not nuts—they are legumes, meaning they’re technically a vegetable.

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

What To Write In A Holiday Card

Just as we look forward to presents and parties this time of year, we can’t get enough of holiday cards! We love them all: from colorful cards sent by snail mail to animated emails to newsletters summing up what everyone in the family has been up to all year. Fun fact: the very first holiday card in 1843 depicted children toasting with wine—oops!

But when it comes to sending your own holiday cards this season, it can be confusing to know how to get them just right. The fear of accidentally offending someone or leaving someone off your list can be daunting.

That’s why we’ve put together these dos and don’ts to kickstart (or improve) your holiday writing tradition.

Do start early

You’ll want to leave yourself time to get (or make, if you’re ambitious) cards, write a message, and sign them. If your holiday card includes a picture of your adorable family in matching elf costumes, you’ll need even more time to get the costumes, take the photo, and have it printed. Keep that in mind!

If you’re planning on sending your holiday cards via the post, it’s recommended you mail them before December 17. So think about the time you have, and what you can reasonably accomplish, which leads us to …

Don’t be overly ambitious

Maybe you’re one of these people who, like Martha Stewart, can handcraft a card for each person on your 40-person list and still get them out on time. But most of us mere mortals are not Martha Stewart (sadly).

People are happy to get a holiday card because it shows you care about them and are thinking about them. Whether it’s store-bought or handmade, it’s the thought that counts.

Now that we’ve set reasonable expectations, let’s get into the details of writing those holiday cards.

Do write the recipient’s name

Even if it’s a store-bought card with a pre-printed message, you want to be sure to write the recipient’s name(s) at the top of the card. You can be formal or informal, depending on the context.

For a less formal card, you can use the formula of “Dear” plus first names: e.g., Dear Jack & Jill.

If you’re writing a more formal card, then you’ll want to use honorifics and last names: e.g., Dear Mr. & Dr. Falldownhill or Dear Ms. Dalloway.

Don’t guess the spelling

When you’re writing the recipient’s name, make sure you get it right. If it’s a name you’re unfamiliar with or one that has multiple spellings, double-check your address book or other references (social media works) to ensure that you haven’t left out a letter or put in one too many. It’s not a good look.

Do include a personal message

Even if your holiday card comes from a box or is an online widget, you should include a personal message to the recipient. This can be short and sweet, as simple as:

- Wishing you and your family a happy holiday season!
- The holidays come but once a year: enjoy!
- Thinking of you over the holidays.
- Hoping you have a joyous and peaceful holiday.
- Have a wonderful New Year!
- Let the spirit of the season inspire you.
- Warm wishes for the holiday and New Year.
- Hope this season is filled with joy and cheer!
- Sending you good luck into the New Year!

Stock phrases are a good starting point, but you can also include some personal details. For instance, you might consider adding:

- the important things that happened to you or your family this year, like marriages or births;
- a wish for the recipient’s health, especially if you know they’ve been under the weather this year;
- or a note about your desire to see them if they live far away.

All that said, unless you’re writing a holiday letter, your holiday card note shouldn’t be too long. Aim for no more than 150 words.

If you’re writing a holiday letter, keep it to a single page long (about 400 words). Nobody needs to know about every detail of your year, trust us.

Don’t assume everyone celebrates the same holidays

If you’re sending cards to people you know well, you probably know what holidays they celebrate, so feel free to write “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Hanukkah.” [Is it Tis the Season or ’Tis the Season? Find out!]

But if you’re sending cards to coworkers, family, or friends you know less well, don’t assume they celebrate the same holidays you do. That can cause unnecessary offense.

If you’re unsure, stick to the more generic happy holidays or season’s greetings. Make it easy on yourself. Or, as the Emily Post Institute suggests, you can also opt to send a more secular greeting for the new year.

Do be funny (if you want)

You can absolutely send formal holiday cards. In which case, we don’t recommend you include jokes.

But if you’re sending cards to friends and family, a little bit of levity can be nice. That said, avoid any jokes that could be offensive. For example, many people include humorous pictures of their family on their holiday cards. It’s a little cheesy, but also kind of wonderful.

Don’t be depressing

Unless you’re Eeyore, you should try to keep a positive, happy tone in your holiday card message.

Don’t write “This year has sucked” or “Everything is garbage.” If you feel that way, we get it—the holidays can be tough. But holiday cards are a place where the maxim If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all rules.

If you’re too bummed out to think of any good news to share, just write a generic message like the ones we suggested above.

Do have everyone in the family sign the card

After you’ve written your short, thoughtful note in your card, be sure to sign it. If it’s just you, that’s simple enough.

If you’re sending the card on behalf of your entire immediate family and are going the paper route, pass the card around the family to have them sign. If you’re sending an online card, just include everyone’s name in the signature line.

Don’t boast

Holiday cards and letters are an opportunity to reach out to the people you love and care about. It’s not an opportunity for you to boast about how wonderful you and your family are (although we are sure they are wonderful).

This isn’t a resumé, it’s a highlight reel. Instead of listing every good deed every family member has done all year, pick one or two of the most important things to mention in your message. Moves, weddings, graduations, and births are worth mentioning. Volunteer work at the local soup kitchen, while admirable, is not.

We wish you the best of luck with your holiday cards this season. Sometimes the cards are as hectic as the holidays … so grab a cup of eggnog and get writing!

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

If Yuo’re Albe To Raed Tihs, You Might Have Typoglycemia

Ever heard of typoglycemia? Even if you haven’t, chances are you’ll recognize one of the viral puzzles that explains this phenomenon. Starting around 2003, an email circulated through what seems like every inbox claiming that scrambled English words are just as easy to read as the original words.

However, as cool as the original email was, it didn’t actually tell the whole truth. There’s more to scrambled words than meets the eye.

What is typoglycemia?

That viral email tested our ability to read scrambled words. Here’s what it looks like:

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Could you read it? Even with a mistake in this viral email (rscheearch cannot spell researcher), the truth is pretty much every fluent English-speaker can read and understand it.

The word-scrambling phenomenon has a punny name: typoglycemia, playing mischievously with typo and glycemia, the condition of having low blood sugar. Typoglycemia is the ability to read a paragraph like the one above despite the jumbled words.

Is typoglycemia real or a trick?

Does it take you nanoseconds to solve the Word Jumble in the newspaper? No? While your brain can breeze through some word-scrambles, it’s more complicated than that click-bait email suggests.

Matt Davis, a researcher at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit at Cambridge University, will help us sort it out. Here’s what they believe the email got right: unless you have a rare brain disorder, people read words as whole units, not letter-by-letter. That’s one of the factors explaining why we can “magically” read the message.

But here’s where Davis reminds us why the daily Word Jumble still manages to scramble our brains for breakfast. That trending email led us to believe all we need is for “the first and last letters to be in the right place” and nothing else matters. Actually a lot else matters.

What makes a scrambled word easier to read?

Here are some other factors a jumbled passage needs in order for everyone to easily read it:

1. The words need to be relatively short.
2. Function words (be, the, a, and other words that provide grammatical structure) can’t be messed up, otherwise the reader struggles.
3. Switching (or transposing) the letters makes a big difference. Letters beside each other in a word can be switched without much difficulty for the reader to understand. When letters farther apart are switched, it’s harder. Take porbelm vs. pelborm (for “problem”).
4. We understand scrambled words better when their sounds are preserved: toatl vs. talot (for “total”).
5. Here’s a big one: the passage is readable because it’s predictable (especially because we’ve seen it so many times)!

Other factors play into it as well, like preserving double letters. For example, in the word according, the scrambled email keeps the cc intact (“aoccdrnig”). Double letters are contextual markers that give good hints. But we could also scramble it up this way: “ancdircog.” Breaking up the cc makes it harder, right?

All told, we’re code-making machines (we speak the code of English) and we’re wired to find meaning out of nonsense, in part by looking at contextual cues. However the codes can only be scrambled to a certain degree before we get lost.

Try these two (tougher) word puzzles

Try your hand at two hard-scrambled passages below which prove your brain needs more than just the first and last letters of a scrambled word to read it quickly.

With these, you’ll see why our brains can only handle typoglycemia to a point. The answers at the bottom; try not to cheat!

1. A dootcr has aimttded the magltheuansr of a tageene ceacnr pintaet who deid aetfr a hatospil durg blendur.
2. In the Vcraiiton are, a levloy eamlred geren, pirlaalty frmoueltad form asirnec, was uesd in fcaibrs and ppaluor falrol hresesdeads.

The first example is from that blog post by Matt Davis. The second is our re-scrambling of a fascinating Jezebel lead. And they’re not easy! Research shows that typos definitely interfere with reading speed. (There’s a reason we have spell-checkers!) Tricky jumble puzzles that can take hours to complete also prove that, in the end, letter order and spelling absolutely make or break our comprehension of a word.

Ready for the answers?

1. A doctor has admitted the manslaughter of a teenage cancer patient who died after a hospital drug blunder.
2. In the Victorian era, a lovely emerald green, partially formulated from arsenic, was used in fabrics and popular floral headdresses.

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

Appreciate Yourself And Others More With Words Of Affirmation

New Year’s goals aren’t just about what you do, they’re also about what you say. This year, why not build up yourself and your relationships with some words of affirmation?

Words of affirmation are things we say that express care, commitment, love, and support. They’re so important, they’re actually one of the five love languages that author Gary Chapman says people require to feel and express love in relationships. But words of affirmation aren’t just tools for sharing our feelings with other people. They’re an important part of self-affirmation and offering encouragement to yourself as well.

The past two years haven’t been easy on anyone, but starting a new year presents the chance to embrace opportunity, build your self-confidence, and put yourself out into the world in a new way. As you commit to self-improvement or growth in your relationships this year, here are 22 words and phrases of affirmation to help you express love and appreciation for yourself and others.


1. “I’m thankful for…”
Gratitude can be something you express to others, or it can be something you experience within yourself. Being intentional about expressing thanks for the things, people, and opportunities in your life is a way of affirming appreciation for the moment and inspiring positivity about the future.

2. “I’m proud because…”
You might feel pride for something as big as completing a marathon or as simple as making that tough phone call you’d been putting off for a week. Either way, when you’re proud of yourself or someone else, say it.

3. “I feel supported when…”
How do other people show up for you? Point it out to them, and let them know how much you appreciate having them in your corner.

4. “I feel inspired when…”
Notice what motivates you. It might be something another person does, or inspiration may strike when you’re taking time for yourself. Acknowledge those moments to bring attention to them and to help you recognize moments of inspiration in the future.

5. “I am brave.”
Every day you take chances, tackle goals, share your feelings, and put yourself out there. Those are all brave things to do. When life feels scary, affirm to yourself that you have shown bravery a million times before, and you can do it again.

6. “I am loved.”
You matter to the people around you. Remind yourself of this when you’re feeling disconnected or overwhelmed. You could even call up someone you care about and remind them that they are loved, too.

7. “I can.”
If you’re experiencing doubt, remind yourself that you can do whatever it is that’s making you feel worried. You may not do everything perfectly, but you can try, show up, and keep working towards the goal.

8. “I value…”
What do you love about the people in your life? What makes your relationships meaningful? You can affirm your connections with others by sharing these things and letting them know the special place they hold in your life.

9. “I love you.”
Love is something you feel, but it’s also something to share. When you love someone, let them know it. It can’t hurt to also say it to your reflection in the mirror sometimes. We won’t judge.

10. “Thank you.”
“Thank you” is a simple phrase that makes a big impact. Thanking others lets them know they’re seen, needed, and appreciated. Thanking yourself is also a way of acknowledging the good you do in the world and the power you have to make a difference.

11. “I’m worth it.”
It’s normal to experience doubt or wonder if you’re good enough for the things and people you want in your life, but we’re all worthy of good things. Remind yourself of this when the going gets tough.

12. “I love my life when…”
Think about what brings you joy, then celebrate that. Maybe this means telling yourself you love your life when you’re being active or taking chances, or maybe it’s telling someone else you love your life when they’re a part of it.

13. “You are so special to me.”
Special means “of a distinct or particular kind or character.” It’s nice to hear that you are uniquely appreciated, so make it a point to share those feelings with the most special people in your life.

14. “I’m here.”
Sometimes the best way to affirm your care for someone is just to be there for them. You can do this by taking care of something they need done, bringing them a gift, or just telling them, “I’m here.”

15. “I feel loved when…”
In relationships, it can be important to share not just your own love for someone, but also the ways they make you feel loved. Communication like this can strengthen your bond and help you support each other in ways that feel more thoughtful.

16. “It impressed me when…”
We don’t always know when we’re being noticed or appreciated by others. Make an intention to share these moments more often. You can start by just letting someone know when something they do catches your attention.

17. “I’m lucky…”
Acknowledging the good things in your life can help you notice all of the small privileges and joys you experience on a daily basis. Ways to finish this sentence might include: I’m lucky to be here, I’m lucky to experience this moment, or I’m lucky to have you in my life.

18. “I feel great.”
Feeling good? Shout it from the rooftops. It’s easy to acknowledge when we’re feeling off, down, or out of sorts. This year, try to be intentional about also affirming the good days and good vibes you experience.

19. “I’m showing up for myself.”
When you practice self-care, accomplish a goal, or even just tackle a basic task of daily living, you’re showing up for yourself, and that’s a big deal. Affirm that you are your own biggest support, and you do a great job of being you.

20. “I am capable.”
When self-doubt creeps in, affirm that you are capable. You may not be perfect (no one is!), but you are always capable of learning, trying, practicing, and getting better.

21. “I find you so…”
How do you feel about the people in your life? They’d probably like to hear it. You might say you find them attractive, inspiring, helpful, friendly, hilarious, or kind.

22. “I am doing my best.”
No one is going to get it right 100% of the time, but making an effort to be a good friend, parent, worker, and person is what counts. No matter what challenges or success are ahead, remind yourself in each moment that you are doing your best.

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

Do You Remember These Old Dating Slang Words?

If you thought dating slang originated with terms like ghosting or breadcrumbing, think again. Popular culture has always included pet names and other unique language to describe all things love and romance. Some of these terms originated in the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, while others go back even further than that. But all of them helped lay the groundwork for the interesting and sometimes odd dating slang we know and use today. Follow along as we take a look back at some of the most interesting, surprising, and even clever classic dating slang words from decades past. Please note: we’ll be having a frank discussion about sex and other mature dating topics here—but grown-up pants, as always, are optional.


necking
What people might call making out today used to be known as necking. Necking is a classic term for “kissing, caressing, and other sexual activity between partners that does not involve stimulation of the genitals or sexual intercourse.” This term has been popular at various points throughout the past several decades, but you might be surprised to learn that the one of the earliest recorded uses of necking to mean “kissing” actually occurred as early as 1825.

little black book
These days, people have matches on dating apps and randos in their DMs. Back in the day, they might have had a little black book. This phrase describes “a personal telephone directory [which historically were often small, pocket-size books bound in black] listing girlfriends, or, less often, boyfriends.” While physical address books were more common before computers and cell phones took over, the phrase doesn’t necessarily mean that someone has a physical little black book. Rather, it implied that someone had a lot of dates or was something of a ladies’ man.

going steady
If you’re exclusive with a significant other, it used to be said that you were going steady. This phrase, dating back to the early 1900s, means to “date one person exclusively” because you were seeing the same person regularly (“steady”). Steady, as a noun, could also be used in a similar way to boyfriend or girlfriend as a title for the person someone is dating. For example: He asked her to be his steady.

friend with benefits
This phrase was popularized in the ’90s by the Alanis Morissette song “Head Over Feet,” and later inspired the title of a 2011 movie starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis. A friend with benefits is “a friend with whom one has sex without a romantic relationship or commitment.” Today, that might also be called a hookup, though friend (or friends) with benefits hasn’t gone extinct. There’s even a text acronym for the term: FWB.

booty call
Booty call is another dating term that can be traced back to the early ’90s. It’s a “phone call, text message, email, etc., whose purpose is to arrange a meeting to have casual sex.” Booty call incorporates the slang term booty, which has a surprising history. Booty was known as a vulgar slang term for female genitalia in the early 1900s, then evolved as a milder slang term for buttocks by the 1920s. By the time booty call was born, booty (as is common for historical slang terms that objectify women) denoted both a “female body considered as a sex object” and “the act of sex.”

wingman
In the context of dating, a wingman is “a man who helps a friend with romantic relationships, especially one who helps the friend attract a woman.” This dating word was popular in the ’80s and ’90s especially, though it’s still in use today. The term wingman was taken from a 1940s Air Force term for the “pilot in a plane that flies just outside and behind the right wing of the leading aircraft, in order to provide protective support.” Apparently looking for love requires protective support, too.

Dear John
If you find yourself the recipient of a Dear John letter, it’s not good news. The phrase is a name for “a letter from a woman informing her boyfriend, husband, or fiancé that she is ending their relationship.” It’s commonly believed to have been coined during World War II when people were separated for long periods of time and communicated via letter. Historically, Biblical names like John and Jack were such common male names they became generic stand-ins used to refer to any man. Though the phrase Dear John (or its female counterpart, Dear Jane) is not as common now, it is used in the title of a popular Taylor Swift song.

keen
Are you keen to learn about the next word on the list? Keen means “eager; interested; enthusiastic.” In the 1950s, it was also commonly used to indicate a crush. For example, someone might say I think she’s keen on him. Attractive or especially likable people were also sometimes described as being peachy keen. The word keen has been used as a slang term meaning “wonderful” since at least the 1910s.

bunny
Some dating words fell out of favor because they were used in a sexist way. Bunny is one of those words. Bunny is an outdated slang term used to describe “a pretty, appealing, or alluring young woman, often one ostensibly engaged in a sport or similar activity.” For example, an attractive woman at the beach might have been referred to as a “beach bunny.” This phrase was popular in the ’70s but quickly fell out of favor. Now, its use is often considered offensive.

boo
Boo might be the original bae (more on this term soon). This ’90s word is an affectionate name for a significant other. The term is thought to have originated in hip hop culture and spread into pop culture from there. Boo may be connected to the French beau or the pet name baby.

beau
Speaking of beau, this term of endearment means “a male lover or sweetheart.” You might think of it as a fancier, more old-fashioned way of saying boyfriend. Beau was first recorded in English in the late 1200s, but its use as a dating term can be traced back to the 1720s. The word is related to the French beau, which means “the beautiful.”

bae
And that leads us to a much newer term: when you think of Millennial dating slang, it’s hard not to think of bae. This word originated in the early 2000s and enjoyed viral fame throughout the 2010s, thanks to the internet. Bae is “an affectionate term that one uses to address their partner or spouse.” It’s thought to be a shortening of other popular pet names, like babe or baby, and likely originated in Black English. It’s been said bae is an acronym for “before anyone else,” but as fun as this theory is, it’s just a misconception.

rationed
This 1940s slang term has a surprising history. During World War II, rationing goods was common. A ration is “a fixed allowance of provisions or food, especially for soldiers or sailors or for civilians during a shortage.” What does this have to do with dating? Well, rationed also became a sort of shorthand for asking women if they were in a relationship or available. As in, Are you rationed? Comparing women to rationed goods like stamps isn’t exactly romantic, so it’s probably no surprise that this one slowly faded into obscurity.

round the bases
Bases aren’t just for baseball. They also have a history as popular dating terminology. In the ’80s and ’90s especially, people referred to different levels of physical intimacy as bases. For example, first base means to “engage in petting that goes no further than kissing.” Each subsequent base adds more physically intimate acts. Rounding the bases, then, would mean progressing through these acts towards whatever act—possibly sex—was deemed a home run.

parking
If the word parking makes you think of cars, you’re on the right track. Similar to necking, parking is a slang term for “the act of kissing and caressing in a parked car.” This usage was most popular in the ’40s and ’50s, likely due to the rise of car culture and drive-in movie theaters changing the landscape of dating.

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

What Is The Origin And Meaning Of XOXO? We’ll Kiss And Tell!

From Valentine’s Day cards to messages from your mom, a typical sign-off to show love and affection is XOXO. The X stands for kiss and the O stands for a hug—but why? Well, the origins of these symbols is uncertain, but we can make some educated guesses about where they come from.

Why is X the symbol for a kiss?
The use of X as a symbol is believed to date back to the Middle Ages, when most people were not literate. They would use the letter X—or a cross—to sign documents as a display of faith and indication of their sincerity. They’d also kiss the cross as another symbol of trustworthiness: a literal “seal with a kiss.” In these instances, the X represented the sign of the cross and Christ because of its connection to the Chi-Rho, a Christian symbol. The first two letters of Christ in Greek (ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ) are chi and rho, and chi looks like X.

It’s possible that the X also became connected with kissing because it looks like two puckered lips. No matter its history, the letter X was used in letters to symbolize a kiss back in the 1700s.

Why is O the symbol for a hug?
The origins of how O came to represent a hug are even more uncertain, though some connect its use to illiterate Jewish immigrants who came to the US who may have signed documents with an O. They did this in contrast to the Christian X. Eventually the letter came to represent a hug.

Another possibility is that the O is used to represent hugs because it simply looks like someone encircling their arms in a hugging gesture. It’s also possible that the O came to mean “hug” because of its prior association with X from the game tic-tac-toe.

The practice of pairing O with X as a sign-off in a letter as XOXO is a fairly modern one and didn’t see widespread use until the 1960s. The TV series Gossip Girl also popularized its use, as each episode ended with a signature voiceover, “XOXO, Gossip Girl.”

Despite the complicated origins of these symbols, these days it is widely accepted that XOXO means “hugs and kisses.” In the United Kingdom, use of XX (meaning “kisses”) as a sign-off is particularly popular, though the practice remains less common in North America, where XOXO is the more common formulation.

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

Words To Use Instead Of “Congratulations”

Congratulations!
Joyful times go hand in hand with congratulations. When addressing graduates, newlyweds, or anyone with good news, a hearty “Congratulations!” or a swift “Congrats!” is in order. Congratulants, “people who congratulate,” have been using the pluralized expression congratulations, which stems from the Latin gratus meaning “pleasing,” since the 1600s.

The singular noun meaning “the act of congratulating” has been around since the late 1500s.

Props!
When congratulations are in order, the term props might come up. This slang shortening of proper arose in the 1990s and refers to respect and esteem.

In addition to giving and receiving props as recognition, you can do someone a prop to help them out. In the 1995 film Clueless, Cher notices that Josh is dancing with Tai, despite the fact that he never dances, to make her feel included. Cher explains: “He’s doing her a prop so she won’t feel left out.”

Way to go!
If you admire someone’s grit and hustle, you can use this sporty method of congratulations. This active phrase has been traced back to the 1940s, when it was used in sports to congratulate a person or team on a great performance. In the 1960s, it began to be used more generally to refer to any kind of achievement.

If “Way to go!” doesn’t do it for you, some peppy alternatives include “Great job,” “Nice going,” “You rock,” and “You rule!”

Nailed it!
This handy phrase really hits the nail on the head when you want to give someone their due. Nailed it has been traced back to at least the 1970s and metaphorically refers to the act of successfully hitting a nail with a hammer.

In slang, we use a variety of other congratulatory phrases that also refer to forceful impacts or metaphorical violence such as “Killed it,” “Crushed it,” “Destroyed it,” and “Slayed it!”

social media cheers

Like, follow, and subscribe! Social media platforms all have different ways of congratulating somebody and letting them now how awesome their content is. These include:

Twitter: the heart or a retweet
Facebook: the thumbs-up on Facebook
Instagram: the like
YouTube: like, share, subscribe to a channel; hitting the bell icon
TikTok: like and follow
Snapchat: take a screenshot for later
Reddit: upvote; give Reddit Gold/Platinum; or a badge
Tumblr: reblog
Twitch: subscribe to a channel and/or give a donation

GG (Good Game)
Shorthand for “good game” in the world of esports, GG is used to congratulate a victorious opponent.

Additionally, it’s used to politely concede a match or admit defeat, most commonly in the realm of professional StarCraft. It’s all about the humble loss. Not everybody is a good sport, though, and the phrase GG EZ (“easy,” as in an easy win) is often used in a mean-spirited way to put down a defeated opponent.

Three cheers!
Three cheers is generally followed by “for” and the name of the person or thing being celebrated.

A person being cheers-ed might also respond to a toast of three cheers with the word … cheers, which, especially in the UK, can mean “thanks.” That’s a lot of cheers.

The term cheer entered English in the late 12th or early 13th century, and ultimately comes from the Greek word kárā meaning “head.”

Hip, hip, hooray!
For some Victorian flair, opt for the ever-cheery hip, hip, hooray (or hurrah). This expression of uncertain origin surfaced in the early 1800s, though the exclamation hip had been used since the mid-1700s. Hip repeated three times was used as a noun in the 1800s to refer to a collective cheer.

But, let’s not forget about hooray, a variant of hurrah. This exclamation dates from the late 1600s and is very similar to shouts in German, Danish, Swedish, and even Russian. Someone’s last hurrah is their “final moment or occasion of glory or achievement.”

Kudos!
Though it sounds colloquial, kudos finds its roots in the hallowed halls of academic institutions. At the turn of the 1800s, academics transliterated the Greek kydos, meaning “praise or renown.” By the 1920s, kudos had spread beyond the walls of universities and into the columns of newspapers.

Don’t be fooled by the S at the end of kudos; the word is, in fact, a singular noun. However, enough English speakers have erroneously interpreted it as plural for so long that already by the 1930s, the back formation singular kudo arose. Grammar sticklers avoid using kudo as a singular and kudos as a plural, though both forms can be found in popular usage.

Hats off!
The phrase hats off, while often said to graduates wearing the illustrious cap and gown, has nothing to do with the tradition of tossing hats in the air in celebration. This phrase, dating back to the 1600s, harks back to the custom of uncovering the head as a sign of respect.

Etiquette expert Emily Post advised gentlemen on the many situations in which they must remove hats to maintain politeness. In 1922 she wrote: “A gentleman takes off his hat and holds it in his hand when a lady enters the elevator.” He also lifts his hat whenever he asks a question or says “Excuse me.” You know, maybe we could all stand a little formality these days …

a round of applause
The act of clapping one’s hands together to show acclaim is actually much older than you might think. Scholars are unsure of the exact origin, but we have evidence that even the ancient Romans would show their appreciation by clapping their hands. In fact, the word plaudits (which means an expression of approval) comes from the Latin verb plaudere, meaning to clap one’s hands. The verb applause is also based on this Latin verb.

Today, the highest form of applause is the standing ovation, where every member of the audience rises to their feet and applauds. Any performer who manages to please an audience enough to cause them to stretch their legs a bit certainly deserves a big hand.

congratulatory emoji
Sometimes, it is better to use pictures rather than words to congratulate someone. In texting and on social media, many different emoji are used to give somebody a pat on the back after a job well done. The Clapping Hands emoji 👏 is used to refer to a round of applause and the Trophy emoji 🏆 references the shiny knickknacks we give to people who have accomplished something.

The Party Popper emoji 🎉, Confetti Ball emoji 🎊, Partying Face emoji 🥳, and Bottle with Popping Cork emoji 🍾 are also commonly used to congratulate someone. These party animals refer to the act of throwing a party in celebration of an achievement and the stuff you are likely to find at such a shindig.

Mazel tov!
This expression of congratulations and best wishes comes from the Hebrew term literally meaning “good luck.” Though many reserve the English good luck for before a big event, you can cheer mazel tov to wish someone good fortune or to say congratulations.

Mazel tov appeared in the 1600s spelled as missal tob but was rendered in English as mazel tov by the 1900s. Whatever transliteration you prefer, the term has been lovingly said ever since.

Felicitations!
If you want to stand out from the crowd of people offering their congratulations, try roaring felicitations. This less common expression of congratulations ultimately comes from the Latin felix, “happy.” English speakers have been using the singular form of this term (meaning “an act of congratulation”) since the early 1700s.

So, if you want to be original (or sound old-fashioned) in wishing your congratulations, reach for a felicitous felicitations!

congratulatory adjectives
You don’t have to think too hard when it comes to saying congratulations. Sometimes, a single adjective will do. All you need to do is shout “Fantastic!”, “Stupendous!”, “Amazing!”, “Incredible!”, or “Spectacular!” This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to celebratory adjectives, though. You can use our handy thesaurus to find many more impressive synonyms of these words that you can shout out when you want to signal how much someone has impressed you.

Keep going!
What’s more powerful than simply saying congratulations? Encouraging someone to keep pushing ahead and to accomplish more. You’re not only celebrating the accomplishment at hand, but also showing enthusiasm for their future. Keep going!

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

Idioms To Express Your Feelings With All Your Heart

There are many ways to talk about that feeling you get when you’re romantically attracted to someone. The go-to word is love, but that little word has to do a lot of work to communicate such a deep feeling that can also have many shades of meaning. Luckily for all of us, the English language has lots of idioms, or figurative expressions, to help us describe our affections more vividly. Whether you’re trying to pen the perfect message for Valentine’s Day or hoping to win over the cutie you just met, these idioms might be just what you need to reveal what’s in your heart!


head over heels
Ever been so in love that the object of your affections is all you can think about? Then you were head over heels for them. The idiom head over heels describes the action of falling down or doing a somersault. (Originally the expression was heels over head, but it, well, flipped during the 1700s.) In other words, if you are head over heels for someone, you are thoroughly in love with them.

apple of one’s eye
Someone or something that is special to you is the apple of your eye. What is so special about apples? Historically, the apple of the eye was an idiom that simply described the pupil, or black aperture in the eyeball. In ancient times, it was believed that the pupil was a hard round object, like an apple. The apple of one’s eye came to be associated with a particular object of affection or focus by the early 1800s, possibly because one’s pupil is associated with sight—and gazing fondly at someone.

love you to the moon and back
What is the farthest distance you can imagine from where you are right now? Probably somewhere in outer space, right? That is the thinking behind the hyperbolic expression love you to the moon and back: you love them as much as you can possibly imagine loving someone. While the origins of this expression are a little obscure, it may have been inspired by the moon race in the 1960s. At any rate, the meaning is clear. If you love someone to the moon and back, you really love them a lot.

puppy love
If the notion of puppy love sounds adorable, that’s because it often is. A puppy is a young dog, and puppy love is something typically associated with young people, particularly teenagers (or someone acting like a teenager). Puppy love describes a “temporary infatuation of a young person for another person.” The temporary part is important here—often young people will fall in and out of love very quickly.

lovebirds
The word lovebirds is another animal-inspired idiom used to describe a couple. Lovebirds are small parrots, particularly Agapornis, that live as bonded pairs. So the word lovebirds can describe couples who display similar behavior, acting affectionately towards each other.

take one’s breath away
If the mere sight of someone sets the world spinning, you could say that person takes your breath away. The expression is not only used to describe love, but any strong emotion of astonishment or shock. Take one’s breath away refers to that moment when people hold their breath while experiencing strong emotions.

to have butterflies in one’s stomach
The object of your affections might inspire a sensation that can be described as having butterflies in one’s stomach. Imagine if you actually had a bunch of butterflies in your tummy—it would probably feel kind of strange and fluttery. This idiom can refer to anything that makes you nervous, whether that’s someone you have a crush on or a big speech.

have the hots (for)
Affection is not always about love—sexual attraction can be an important component of that emotion as well. That’s what the expression to have the hots (for someone) describes. Someone who is physically attractive causes a heated feeling of desire and can be described as hot. It is this figurative expression that to have the hots (for) is likely referencing. You find the other person to be hot.

old flame
Love, sadly, does not always last forever. Someone you used to date or desire, but no longer do, can be described as an old flame. The word flame suggests you once may have had the hots for that person.

carry a torch for
Another fire-related idiom to describe love is carry a torch (for). If you are carrying a torch for someone, you still have love for them even though the relationship is over and may have ended a long time ago. It’s often advised that you should not carry a torch for someone who doesn’t love you back, but it’s easier said than done. Interestingly, this idiom might be linked to the term torch song, which in the early 1900s referred to a sad love song.

tie the knot
When two people get married, one idiom to describe this rite of passage is tying the knot. The expression dates to the 1700s. This idiom has quite a literal origin. It refers to the ancient Celtic practice of handfasting, when a cord or ribbon is used to bind the hands of the two betrotheds together in a symbol of their marriage.

get hitched
Another informal expression for describing marriage is to get hitched. To hitch means “to fasten oneself to something.” If two people are getting hitched, it means they are, figuratively, fastening themselves together.

whisper sweet nothings
When you are lying in bed with the person you love, they may whisper sweet nothings in your ear. The expression sweet nothings refers to the kind of nonsensical, sappy things that lovers will say to one another. Another word to describe this kind of dopey language is sweet talk.

lovey-dovey
A couple that is particularly affectionate with each other can be described as lovey-dovey. The origins of this phrase are a little obscure. It is possible that dove, as in the bird also known as a pigeon, simply rhymes well with love. Another possible explanation is that doves are particularly affectionate towards their mates and are used as a symbol for love. Whatever the origin, when two people act all lovey-dovey, they are really in love.

better half
One concept of love is that the person you love “completes” you; you are “half a person” without them. This notion is what is illustrated in the expression better half. This is most often used to describe one’s spouse.

those three little words
A confession of love can change everything about a relationship—especially if these three words are involved: I. Love. You. The expression those three little words or those three small words refers specifically to the sentence “I love you.”

my person
Sometimes labeling a relationship can be tricky. The phrase my person, popularized by the long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, describes someone who is a close partner but may not be a spouse. It implies that two people belong together, even if the relationship is not formalized.

ride or die
Ride or die is a colloquial expression describing extreme loyalty, such as you would have between two people who love each other. The term comes from modern hip-hop in reference to the legendary outlaws Bonnie and Clyde. It can function as a noun (as in she’s my ride or die) or a verb (we would ride or die for each other).

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

Special Words To Describe Someone You Love

There are so many reasons why we love and value the people in our lives, but sometimes it can be hard to find the right words to describe just what it is that makes those people so special. If you’re working on the ultimate love letter, preparing a special birthday toast, or even just talking someone up to a friend, you don’t want to fall back on broad terms like funny, kind, or cute. That’s the time to say what you really mean.

Talking about the people you love might mean talking about a significant other, but it can also mean describing a friend, parent, sibling, or other special person, too. No matter who you’re trying to describe or shower with praise, here are some handy alternatives to the most overused words to use when talking about someone you love.


Other ways to say: talented

Celebrating someone’s talent is usually a welcome compliment, but talent describes a pretty broad pool of qualities, abilities, and skills. What does that special person really excel at that makes them so, well, special? Here are a few other options to try.

accomplished
Accomplished is the word to use when someone is “highly skilled” or even “expert” at something. It demonstrates appreciation not only for their skills, but also for the time, energy, and hard work they put into acquiring those skills.

artistic
You can call someone artistic as a way of complimenting their skill and execution in art or their excellent taste and style. Someone who’s artistic likely has a unique, creative approach to many things, and this word calls that out.

capable
Have you ever been around someone who just seems to be good at everything? Those people are highly capable, which means “having power and ability; efficient; competent.”

inspirational
Sometimes a person’s gift is inspiring others around them to shine as well. Calling someone inspirational says they don’t just do great things, but they also motivate the people around them just by being who they are.

brilliant
Brilliant is the right word for someone you see as “shining brightly; sparkling; glittery; lustrous.” It might describe their distinguished abilities in one particular area or their bold and awe-inspiring approach to everything.


Other ways to say: kind

Kindness is an important quality, and a great way to acknowledge someone’s kindness is by pointing out all of the specific and meaningful ways they express it. Here are some words to do that.

affectionate
Affectionate means “showing, indicating, or characterized by affection or love; fondly tender.” Some people are more affectionate than others, so if someone’s outward displays of affection mean a lot to you, use this word to let them know it.

considerate
Considerate is the word to use for someone who is always looking out for other people’s feelings, performing small acts of kindness, or putting thoughtfulness on display on a regular basis.

big-hearted
Someone who is big-hearted is generous and kind. You might love a big-hearted person if you see that your special someone is always thinking about what they can do to show care and concern for others.

friendly
Sometimes being kind means treating everyone like a friend. Friendly people are “favorably disposed; inclined to approve, help, support.” It’s a way of explaining that your loved one isn’t just kind, but they also never hesitate to lend a hand or a shoulder to lean on.

gentle
Gentle is another way of saying “kindly” or “amiable.” Someone who could be described as gentle isn’t just nice, but is also likely a calm, compassionate, and steady figure in your life.


Other ways to say: attractive

Looks aren’t everything, but there’s nothing wrong with finding a few fresh ways to let people know they’re looking great. Rather than pulling out a bland word like attractive, here are some other options that get to the heart of what really draws you to someone.

alluring
Alluring doesn’t just mean someone is nice looking. It also means they have a charisma or charm that draws you towards them. Someone who is alluring is “very attractive or tempting; enticing; seductive.”

elegant
Whether it’s a special occasion or you admire someone’s style and grace every day, elegant is a word to use when describing someone who is “tastefully fine or luxurious in dress, style, design, etc.”

bewitching
Does someone in your life just have that special “it” factor that makes people want to be around them? They could be described as bewitching. This magical sounding word means “enchanting, charming, fascinating.”

charming
When someone is delightful or pleasing to be around, it’s usually because they’re charming. Someone might have charming good looks, but charming also extends to their sparkling personality and the way they make people feel in their presence.

lovely
Isn’t he or she lovely? This adjective means “charmingly or exquisitely beautiful.” It’s the perfect word to describe someone who is lovely in looks but also wonderful to spend time with.


Other ways to say: funny

A sense of humor is a great quality, but there are so many ways to be funny. Is the person more of a George Carlin, an Ali Wong, or a Jim Gaffigan? Here are some words to talk about the funny people in your life.

playful
If someone’s specialty is keeping things light and always finding humor in people and situations, you might describe them as playful. It literally means “full of play or fun.”

whimsical
A childlike or even off-the-wall sense of humor might be called whimsical. This word means “given to whimsy or fanciful notions; capricious.” Think: Robin Williams.

clever
Some people always know the right thing to say. You might describe them as being clever. These quick thinkers always find a way to get laughs by being both charming and bright.

hilarious
Hilarious means “arousing great merriment; extremely funny,” and it’s reserved for the people who are truly laugh-out-loud funny. These folks might be the life of the party or they might reserve their best jokes just for you. Either way, the fun never stops.

witty
Someone who is witty sees the world a little differently, and their sharp observations and clever comebacks can be very entertaining. They also might be funny in several mediums. Witty means “possessing wit in speech or writing; amusingly clever in perception and expression.”


Other ways to say: smart

If you value intelligence, then you’ll probably also value having more than one way to talk about it. Pull out one of these bonus words when describing the brainiacs in your life.

astute
If someone wows you with their keen perceptions and spot-on observations, you could say they’re astute. This word describes people who are shrewd, intelligent, and always the first to connect the dots.

crafty
While crafty can mean that someone is great with a sewing machine, it also means “cunning; deceitful; sly.” This doesn’t mean a crafty loved one is up to no good. It just means you want them on your team on game night.

wise
Wise describes the person you go to for advice, support, and to talk about the deep stuff. Wise means “having the power of discerning and judging properly as to what is true or right.” These people are like the lighthouses in the storms of life.

shrewd
If that special person in your life always knows how to get the best deals or how to convince people to be on their side, they might be shrewd. Shrewd means “cunning or tricky; artful,” and it’s a word for people who know how to use their deep intelligence to their advantage.

bright
No, we don’t mean the person you love is shining like a light bulb. Bright means “quick-witted or intelligent.” It’s a word that describes people who have many skills, catch on quickly, and are always capable of learning something new.

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

“Commonwealth” vs. “State”: Which One Do You Reside In?

It’s common knowledge that there are 50 states in the United States of America—and you might even be able to name them all—but did you know that four of them are technically considered commonwealths?

You might even live in one of these four and not even know it. Read on to find out if you do, and if so, what that means for how your state—sorry, your commonwealth—is governed. We’ll also try to clear up the state of confusion by sharing our wealth of knowledge about what commonwealth means in other contexts.

Quick summary

Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia, and Massachusetts are commonly referred to as states, but they are actually legally designated as commonwealths. But the difference is only in the name—being a commonwealth doesn’t entail any legal or governmental differences from the other 46 states.

What does commonwealth mean?

Commonwealth has several different meanings (and it is often capitalized). It can refer to a federation of states (Australia is designated as a Commonwealth in this way), a self-governing US territory (Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands are designated as Commonwealths in this way), or an association of nations (such as what’s known as the British Commonwealth or the Commonwealth of Nations). It can also be used in more general ways, such as to refer to the body of people of a nation or any group of people united by some common interest. Commonwealth combines the word common and wealth (as in “the condition of being happy and prosperous”).

But in the context of the US and its 50 states, the word commonwealth is simply used as another word for state in the official names of four states in particular.

Which states are commonwealths?

Four US states are technically designated as commonwealths: Pennsylvania (admitted to the union December 12, 1787), Massachusetts (February 6, 1788), Virginia (June 25, 1788), and Kentucky (June 1, 1792). The first three were among the original 13 colonies (Kentucky was part of Virginia until it became the 15th state). All four use the word commonwealth in their official name: the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

You might have noticed that we’ve called the four of them states, and, frankly, so does just about everyone else—including their residents. After all, we usually say that the US has 50 states (not 46 states and four commonwealths).

So what does this mean in practical terms? What sets commonwealths apart from other states?

What is the difference between a state and a commonwealth?

Other than the name, there really is no legal or governmental difference between states known as states and states known as commonwealths. The word commonwealth was simply the word chosen as the official designation of each of them as a political entity—and the one used in official founding documents like the state constitution (it’s typically understood to imply that the commonwealth was founded through the common will of the people and for the common good). In fact, the word state is also often used in such documents without any distinction.

In addition, the states of Vermont and Delaware use both commonwealth and state in official documents.

How to use commonwealth vs. state

\When it comes to Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia, and Massachusetts, the word commonwealth is really only used in the context of their official names in official documents—or as a bit of good trivia. In general, all four are most commonly called states.

In other contexts, the word commonwealth may have more importance or entail a legal distinction. For example, because Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth territory of the US, its citizens are US citizens, but they do not have all the legal rights of the citizens of US states.

Examples of commonwealth and state used in a sentence

Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania because of the race or ethnicity of the individual.
The Commonwealth of Kentucky was admitted into the Union as the 15th state in 1792.

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

Was There A Real Uncle Sam?

There are many famous cartoon figures in American culture, but only one that’s regularly paired with the pointed statement that it wants you (yes, YOU) to do something: Uncle Sam.

What Uncle Sam wants you for varies. Historically he has most often wanted you to join the Army, though twists and variations abound. Uncle Sam himself, however, almost always has a white goatee and white locks covered by a top hat, and he’s typically wearing a blue blazer, red bowtie, and white shirt. Above all, depictions of Uncle Sam famously show him staring straight at whoever is looking at the poster in a direct call to action.

This depiction has been around for more than 100 years (prior to Uncle Sam, the goddess-like figure of Columbia personified first the colonies and then the US). But the legend of Uncle Sam dates back even further. The icon’s longevity and prevalence is part of the reason there’s an official Uncle Sam Day on September 13. But what about the real Uncle Sam? Was there one?

The real Uncle Sam?

There are several popular stories connecting the character of Uncle Sam to historical figures, though solid evidence for them is lacking. One thing, though, is certain: Uncle Sam is an extension of the common short form of the United States (of America), US.

According to legend, a meat packer from Troy, New York, named Samuel Wilson is the original Uncle Sam. (Sam, of course, is a pet short form of Samuel). He supplied barrels of beef to the US Army during the War of 1812, and each barrel had “U.S.” printed on it for United States. Another thing the initials came to stand for: Uncle Sam.

There are a couple theories on how the letters of the United States came to mean “Uncle Sam.” One is that people in Troy called Wilson Uncle Sam, and they assumed that’s what the lettering on the barrels stood for when they saw the beef being shipped to the Army. A Congressional resolution in 1961 declared this the official story, but it’s not the only one. The other theory is that soldiers who received the barrels played off of the lettering and called the contents of the barrel “Uncle Sam’s” food rations.

Whatever his exact origins, Uncle Sam became the personification of the United States and Troy became “The Home of Uncle Sam.” Though it wasn’t for another century that the cartoon we’re familiar with today was popularized.

Uncle Sam Wants YOU

Wilson, who died in 1854, didn’t live to see what mass media would turn his image into. Political cartoonist Thomas Nast is credited with drawing some of the most popular Uncle Sam cartoons in the 1870s. Nast is the same person responsible for the jolly bearded depiction of Santa Claus, and he helped popularize Uncle Sam’s white beard and patriotic attire.

In 1917, Uncle Sam became the character that you’d recognize today. New York illustrator James Montgomery Flagg took Uncle Sam and merged it with the concept behind a British military poster—the same country that the troops Samuel Wilson fed were fighting against. The British poster showed Secretary of State for War Lord Kitchener staring off the page and pointing at the viewer, just like Flagg’s final Uncle Sam poster. Basing a character on a historical figure can be complicated, however. Kitchener was an especially brutal commander, and he’s infamous for creating some of the first concentration camps during the Boer War in Africa.

Flagg’s Uncle Sam drawing was done for a newsweekly with the title “What Are You Doing for Preparedness?” The text was changed to “I Want YOU for U.S. Army” when turned into a recruitment poster. In 1917 and 1918, when the US was involved in World War I, about 4 million Uncle Sam posters were printed.

This version of Uncle Sam made another appearance in World War II, and continues to live on in popular culture.

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

How To Create Atmosphere & Mood In Your Writing To Engage Your Readers

Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against its hills, holding darkness within; it had stood so for eighty years and might stand for eighty more. Within, walls continued upright, bricks met neatly, floors were firm, and doors were sensibly shut; silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone…
—The Haunting of Hill House (1959), Shirley Jackson

After reading that opening, we bet you’re wondering what happens next. The best authors and writers always find a way to draw their readers in, get them invested in the work, and leave them desperate to read the next sentence, the next paragraph, the next page.

How do they do this?

Writers have many tools in their toolboxes to make their work compelling, but a huge part of what draws us into stories is atmosphere and mood. Authors like Shirley Jackson use language, descriptions, and other devices to pull readers into a different world. Through atmosphere and mood, authors establish a tone for their work, create ambience, and evoke emotions. Keep reading to learn how the pros establish atmosphere and mood in their work, and to get some tried and true strategies for creating this magic in your own writing.

What are atmosphere and mood?

Atmosphere is “the dominant mood or emotional tone of a work of art, as of a play or novel.” If you think of your story, essay or other writing as a room, what does your reader feel upon walking into that room? That’s an easy way to consider the overall atmosphere of your piece. While the importance of atmosphere is commonly associated with poetry and fiction, it is also vital to adding depth to personal essays and other types of nonfiction writing as well.

Mood is a part and parcel of atmosphere, but they aren’t necessarily the same thing or always in lock step. Mood describes “a state or quality of feeling at a particular time,” and the mood of a story, poem, or essay can shift depending on the events, characters, setting, or changing information.

Atmosphere and mood work together, but they aren’t always in agreement. A story may have a suffocating or foreboding atmosphere, but within that atmosphere, readers can still experience feelings of joy, wonder, sadness, or hope.

Examples of atmosphere and mood

Now that you understand the basics of what mood and atmosphere are, let’s look at a few examples to see how atmosphere and mood work in action.

1. “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore –
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door …

Why it works

In just a few lines, Poe creates an atmosphere of suspense for the reader. It’s late at night, there’s a strange knocking at the door, and it’s reasonable to suspect something mysterious or even dangerous is waiting on the other side. In this example, the atmosphere is created not only by the setting, but also by the language used. Words like dreary, weary, curious, and lore help to create an atmosphere that feels spooky and mystical. And the rhythm of the poetry also gives the lines an intriguing musicality. The end result is the reader wants to know who is knocking just as much as the main character does.

2. “Shipping Out” by David Foster Wallace

“I have now seen sucrose beaches and water a very bright blue. I have seen an all-red leisure suit with flared lapels. I have smelled suntan lotion spread over 2,100 pounds of hot flesh. I have been addressed as ‘Mon’ in three different nations. I have seen 500 upscale Americans dance Electric Slide. I have seen sunsets that looked computer-enhanced. I have (very briefly) joined a conga line.”

Why it works

In this non-fiction travelogue, David Foster Wallace is talking about his experiences on luxury cruises. He opens by placing the reader directly onto a cruise ship. In the span of a paragraph, the reader experiences awe, curiosity, amusement, disgust, wonder, and excitement. Yet Wallace uses formal language (“I have seen”) and repetition (there’s that anaphora for you) to ironic effect. This creates an interesting juxtaposition of the elements of a tall tale with a bit of anthropological distance. This example, in particular, shows how mood can function independently from the atmosphere, and how both can change abruptly with the use of language.

Why atmosphere and mood matter

Atmosphere and mood are important because crafting an engaging story or essay involves more than just retelling events or facts in order. In order to draw readers in and get them invested in your writing, your work needs dimension. Atmosphere and mood work together to create that by:

- Communicating important details that place the reader in a scene.
- Making characters feel more real.
- Reinforcing themes and tone.
- Communicating genre elements.
- Solidifying world-building, or the fictional universe in which a story or poem takes place.

And, perhaps most important, atmosphere and mood are both tools for getting readers invested in the plot or details of a piece of writing. Mood helps them identify with characters in fiction, and atmosphere helps them become immersed in the narrative or information. Both are essential to writing something people want to read.

Tips for establishing and creating atmosphere in your writing

When you sit down to write, here are some important things to consider to help you easily add mood and atmosphere to your piece.

Choose your words carefully.
Think about how you want readers to feel when they read your work. What language and descriptions can you include to evoke those emotions? While you’re in the process of examining your language, try your best to avoid clichés. “It was a dark and stormy night” has been used so many times that it won’t do much to draw your reader into a scene. In fact, cliché phrases can sometimes even pull the reader out of the work and distract them. That’s not what you want!

Deploy strong imagery.

“Show, don’t tell” is probably among the most repeated pieces of writing advice, but that’s because it works. If you just say a house looks old, that may not pull the reader into the house. Instead, talk about the mossy, rotting floorboards and the peeling wallpaper. Use imagery to build a world around the person reading.

Be detailed.

If you’re writing a story or poem, offer specific details about the setting and time period. Drop careful hints about what is coming to build tension and anticipation. If you’re working on an essay, make sure each detail is thorough and succinct. Most importantly, make sure any main component of your story or argument is thoroughly fleshed out to paint the clearest picture possible for the reader.

Incorporate literary devices.

Similes, metaphors, alliteration, hyperbole, and other literary devices can be especially helpful in developing atmosphere and mood. Of course, if you’re writing a more formal essay, you should use your judgment as to whether or not literary devices are a good fit for the piece, but a well-placed metaphor can go far in helping you make an important point.

Make use of your characters and dialogue.

Atmosphere and mood aren’t only created in descriptions of the setting. You can also use character descriptions, their words, and their actions to add to the mood or atmosphere you’re trying to create. For example, if you’re writing a horror story, you might describe your character’s shaky dialogue and uneven breathing. Perhaps they’re even pale with fright or have wide eyes. Readers can easily experience the atmosphere through characters.

Good spelling counts, too

Now that you know more about crafting mood and atmosphere in your writing, you’re ready to get started. But those aren’t the only elements of good writing to consider. Work on your next story, poem, or essay using Thesaurus.com’ Grammar Coach™. It will help you spot spelling errors and overused words and help you take your writing to the next level in real time.

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.

Person-First Language vs. Identity-First Language: Which Should You Use?

There’s a term for choosing to say people with disabilities instead of disabled people, and vice versa. People with disabilities is an example of what’s called person-first language, while terms like disabled people are sometimes called identity-first language.

Person-first language is widely encouraged in many contexts as a way to avoid defining a person solely by their disability, condition, or physical difference. However, not everyone prefers it. Some people instead prefer identity-first language as a way of emphasizing what they consider an important part of their identity.

In this article, we’ll:

Define person-first language and identity-first language in detail.
Provide several examples of each in many of the different contexts in which they’re used, including for people who are autistic, blind, deaf, and those who have other disabilities, medical conditions (including mental health conditions), and bodily differences.
Discuss the varying preferences for such language and some of the reasons behind those preferences.
Explain how approaches can differ based on whether you know a person’s specific disability or condition or whether you’re referring to an individual or a community of people.


Quick summary

Person-first language introduces a person before any description of them. Examples include person with a disability, patient with cancer, and child who has cerebral palsy. Person-first language is intended to emphasize the fullness of a person and to avoid defining them exclusively by their disability or condition. Identity-first language involves stating a descriptor of a person first, as in autistic person and blind child. This is often done with the idea that the characteristic in question is an integral part of a person’s identity and community membership and should be emphasized rather than minimized.

Person-first language is preferred and encouraged in many contexts, especially medical care. However, some people prefer identity-first language—notably many members of the blind, deaf, and autistic communities. Still, preferences around such approaches vary widely, even among people within the same community. The best approach is always to respect people’s choices about the language they use for themselves.

First, a note about disabled and disability

First and foremost, remember that in many cases it’s not relevant or necessary to discuss or point out a person’s disability at all. Regardless of what language preferences people have, every person wants to be treated as just that—a person (which is one of the motivating ideas behind person-first language). However, that doesn’t mean that disability is inherently negative, unmentionable, or something that must be politely ignored (which are some of the notions that identity-first language pushes back on).

When discussion of a disability or other condition is pertinent, it is often preferable to name the person’s specific disability or condition, such as paraplegia or diabetes. However, when addressing an issue that affects a larger community of people—for example, when discussing accessibility in the workplace—disabled and disability are often the preferred terms. Our new usage notes within the entries for these terms reflect this. (Some people object to the terms disabled and disability in and of themselves, but that won’t be the focus of this article, nor will other, more specific terms that are now considered outdated and offensive.)

What is person-first language?

The term person-first language refers to wording that introduces a person first and then follows with a descriptor in relation to a disability, medical condition (including mental health conditions), or other physical or cognitive difference. Person-first language often literally uses the word person (or persons or people) as the first part of referring to someone, as in person with a disability or people with dwarfism. Of course, the term that refers to the person is often more specific, such as child, adult, patient, or a term specifying a person’s nationality. Such terms can also be used in identity-first language, which will be discussed in the next section. (Person-first language is not to be confused with the grammatical and literary term first person, which is the point of view in which a speaker or writer refers to themself: I, me, we, and us are first-person pronouns.)

Person-first language is used in many different contexts, including disability, medical conditions and diseases, physical and cognitive differences, and addiction and substance use, among others.

The intent of person-first language is often understood as being to acknowledge a person as a full, complex individual. This is done to avoid defining them solely by their disability, condition, or physical or mental attributes, which can have the effect of dehumanizing them, creating negative stigmas, or producing the false assumption that a disability or condition affects all people in the same way.

Promotion of person-first language is often traced back to the People First Movement that began in the late 1960s. Person-first language became more widespread in the 1990s. Awareness and use of it is thought to have increased in part as a result of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark piece of federal legislation that, among many other changes, established such language as the preferred wording in many government documents and communications (a preference that continues today).

Person-first language has largely become the preferred approach in medical contexts. Major health organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, use and state preferences for person-first language, as do the style guides of the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association. However, many style guides also emphasize that a person’s personal preference should always come first. Still, many people strongly prefer identity-first language.

What is identity-first language?

The term identity-first language refers to wording about a person that leads with a description of them in the context of a disability, medical conditions (including mental health conditions), or other physical or cognitive difference. Examples include terms like deaf person, blind person, and autistic person.

Such labels are sometimes considered offensive due to emphasizing a characteristic as if it’s all that matters about the person. However, some people prefer such terms because they consider the characteristic being referred to as an inseparable part of their identity—hence the use of the word identity in the term.

By those who prefer it when referring to themselves, identity-first language is often considered a way to show pride in who they are and their membership in a community of like people.

This is especially the case in the context of disability. In this context, identity-first language is often viewed as functioning to center a person’s disability, in contrast with the approach of person-first language, which is sometimes interpreted as minimizing such characteristics out of the assumption that they are inherently negative. Notably, significant portions of the deaf, blind, and autistic communities prefer identity-first language. However, not everyone shares this preference.

Examples of person-first and identity-first language

In this section, we’ll provide side-by-side examples of person-first language and identity-first language along with notes about use and preferences. This is a collection of common examples grouped by context, not a comprehensive list of all possible terms.

Due to the nature of their construction, examples of person-first language are always multiple-word phrases, as in person with AIDS or individuals with disabilities.

Identity-first language also often consists of phrases, but some terms that may be considered examples of identity-first language are single words. For example, some people who have had limbs amputated prefer to be called amputees. Many such examples (single-word nouns used to refer to people) are now usually considered inappropriate and offensive, especially those once used in the context of mental health. Some will be discussed below.

Disability

In the general discussion of people with disabilities, person-first language is the most widely preferred approach. However, this preference is not universal.

person-first example: person with a disability
identity-first example: disabled person

person-first examples: person with paraplegia; person with quadriplegia
identity-first examples: When used as nouns to refer to people, terms like paraplegic and quadriplegic are now widely avoided, though some people may prefer them when referring to themselves.

person-first example: person with an intellectual disability; person with a cognitive disability
identity-first example: intellectually disabled person; cognitively disabled person. Such terms are now less commonly used, but may be preferred by some.

The autism spectrum

In the context of autism, there is significant, strong, and growing preference for identity-first language, despite some advocacy organizations historically recommending person-first language. Among those who prefer identity-first language, one commonly stated reason is that they consider autism a major part of their identity and not something to be ashamed of or treated as something that needs to be “cured.” Still, some people prefer person-first language.

person-first examples: a person with autism; an adult on the autism spectrum
identity-first examples: autistic person; autistic individual. The use of autistic as a noun is preferred by many as a way to refer to themselves, but is considered offensive by others.

Deafness

Identity-first language has also been largely embraced by the Deaf community. (The word Deaf is often capitalized when it’s used in reference to things related to Deaf culture.) Identity-first language is promoted by many major organizations, such as the National Association of the Deaf, the National Deaf Center, and the World Federation of the Deaf. Still, some people prefer person-first language.

person-first example: a person who is deaf
identity-first examples: deaf person; deaf Americans; Deaf community

Blindness

Though preferences vary, identity-first language is widely preferred and promoted by individuals and organizations in the blind community, including the National Federation of the Blind, the Royal National Institute of Blind People, and various state commissions for the blind and visually impaired.

person-first example: a person who is blind
identity-first examples: blind person; blind adult

Dwarfism and short stature

Organizations centered around people with dwarfism often use both person-first and identity-first terms. Preferences among individuals, of course, can vary.

person-first examples: a person who has dwarfism; people of short stature
identity-first examples: dwarf; little person

Additional medical and mental health contexts

Person-first language is now widely preferred and promoted in the context of medicine by medical professionals, organizations, and advocacy groups. Such language is intended to avoid equating patients with their diseases or conditions (such as with now avoided phrasings like cancer patient or AIDS patient), which research has shown can lead to stigmatization, overgeneralization, and worse health outcomes.

person-first examples: patient with AIDS; child with cancer; person with diabetes; person with epilepsy
identity-first examples: When used as nouns to refer to people, terms like diabetic and epileptic are now widely avoided, though some people may prefer them when referring to themselves.

Person-first language is now also widely preferred and promoted in the context of medical professionals who address mental health conditions. It is especially recommended to replace terms that use a condition as a noun to refer to someone (such as the noun uses of schizophrenic or bulimic) with person-first language.

person-first examples: a person with schizophrenia; a patient with psychosis; people with eating disorders

Other contexts

As with the wider field of medical care, person-first language is widely preferred in the context of drug and substance addiction, in which such terms are recommended to replace stigmatizing words like addict and alcoholic.

person-first examples: a person with alcohol use disorder; people with substance use disorders

For similar reasons, person-first language is also commonly used by organizations and advocates focused on suicide prevention. Such language is thought to help destigmatize the issue and emphasize a person’s humanity, rather than treating them as a statistic.

person-first examples: a person experiencing thoughts of suicide; people impacted by suicide

Collective terms

Collective terms for certain groups often fall under the classification of identity-first language. Examples include the blind, the deaf, and the disabled. While such terms are preferred by some (and used in the names of some major organizations), they are considered offensive by others who believe that such terms are a barrier to treating members of such groups as individuals.

Should I use person-first or identity-first language?

The answer to this question is that there is no single, permanent answer. Person-first and identity-first language continue to evolve, and preferences vary from person to person and differ among different communities and organizations.

In the context of medicine and mental health, person-first language is widely preferred and recommended, especially due to evidence that it contributes to better health outcomes and reduces stigmatization. Still, identity-first language may be preferred in certain situations or among people who consider their condition as an inseparable part of their identity.

Notably, many members of the blind, deaf, and autistic communities (among some others) now prefer and promote identity-first language, arguing that such characteristics are an integral part of their identities that should be proudly emphasized, not treated as negatives or limitations. Identity-first language is also sometimes favored due to emphasizing membership in a community.

Generally speaking, some people are fine with others referring to them with either person-first or identify-first language or a combination of both, as long as it is used respectfully. But many other people have strong preferences for one or the other, with valid reasons for each.

Many style guides recommend person-first language if you do not know someone’s preference, are unable to discover it, or are talking about a certain group generally. However, despite this recommendation, there is one consistent piece of advice that you will find among style guides and advocacy organizations: you should always respect the language that an individual personally uses.

Notably, the style guide of the National Center on Disability and Journalism, which in the past recommended person-first language as the default choice, now recommends making choices about wording on a case-by-case basis, stating that “no two people are the same—either with regard to disabilities or language preferences.”

You can always ask a person what type of phrasing they prefer. Remember that discussing a disability, condition, or other physical or intellectual difference is in many cases unnecessary. Most of the time, the first thing you should ask a person is their name.

Copyright 2024, XAKKHRA, All Rights Reserved.