To divide land into voting units that will benefit one group, party, or constituency is to gerrymander. This word for manipulating the electoral boundaries in order to gain an unfair advantage was first coined in 1812. Gerrymander is a combination of the last name of Governor Elbridge Gerry and salamander. Gerry decided in 1812 to rearrange the Congressional Districts in Massachusetts to boost the fortunes of his Democratic party. An editorial artist for a Boston paper drew a caricature that turned the new map of Essex County into a lizard-like amphibian which was dubbed a gerrymander.
garrulous [adj. GAR-uh-lus or GAR-yuh-lus]
Someone who is garrulous talks a great deal, especially about things that are of little importance. Near synonyms include: gabby, long-winded, loquacious, and talkative. This adjective can also refer to a speech that is especially wordy, rambling, or verbose. Garrulous entered the English language between 1605 and 1615. It comes from the Latin garrulus (talkative) which is derived from garrire (to chatter, prattle).
fulcrum [n. FOOL-krum or FUL-krum]
This noun specifically refers to the support at which something is balanced or the point at which a lever turns. An extension of this meaning sees fulcrum used to describe a part of an animal that serves as hinge or support. Fulcrum is used in the figurative sense to mean something that is the main subject or the pivotal point. Example: "The fulcrum of the group's argument was freedom of speech." A fulcrum can also be an agent, something that makes action possible. Fulcrum traces back to the late 1600s. It is borrowed from the Latin fulcire (to prop).
fracas [n. FRAE-kus or FRAK-us]
Being involved in a fracas is something that most of us seek to avoid. A fracas is a noisy argument, a disorderly disturbance, or fight. Example: "Eric was reluctant to join the violent fracas outside the stadium so he remained in his seat." This English noun comes from the French word fracasser, which in turn comes from the Italian fracasso. Fracasso was derived from the Italian verb fracassare (to make an uproar), which was probably derived from the Latin frangere (to break) and quassare (to shake). Near synonyms include row, uproar, altercation, quarrel, and run-in.
redolent [adj. reh-D'L-ent]
Redolent is an adjective used to describe something that has or emits a fragrance, especially a pleasant one. Near synonyms include: aromatic and sweet-smelling. Something that prompts memories, evokes feelings or suggests a certain time, event, or place, can also be redolent. Example: "The living room was still redolent with the scent of her late father's pipe." This broader sense of the word was first recorded in the early 19th century. A word first used in Middle English, redolent was taken from the Latin redolent (via Middle French). It is a variant on redolere (to emit a scent). The Latin word olere is related to the contemporary English word odor (scent).
proselytize [v. PROS-uh-li-tize]
To proselytize is to attempt to persuade someone to change their political or religious beliefs, or the way that they live their lives. Near synonyms include: reorient, recruit, inculcate, and win over. Proselytize is related to the noun proselyte (a new convert). Proselyte comes from the late Latin proselytus which is derived from the Greek proselytos (newcomer), a variant on the verb proserchesthai (to come, approach).
The Credits to the above & the rest of the "Cool words" that will follow, goes to The Learning Kingdom Who used to provide internet-based educational activities for children of all ages. Why "used"??? Because their link: http://www.learningkingdom.com/ Does Not work anymore. Unfortunately :(
