Contemporary writers like Philips sometimes use "whelm" to denote a middle stage between "underwhelm" and "overwhelm." But that’s not how "whelm" has traditionally been used. "Whelm" and "overwhelm" have been with us since Middle English (when they were "whelmen" and "overwhelmen"), and throughout the years their meanings have largely overlapped. Both words early on meant "to overturn," for example, and both have also come to mean "to overpower in thought or feeling." Around 1950, however, folks started using a third word, "underwhelmed," for "unimpressed," and lately "whelmed" has been popping up with the meaning "moderately impressed."

Merriam-Webster Online

The evolution of ‘whelm’ leaves me gruntled is a post from: mjh's blog. Thank you for subscribing. Let me know what you think. peace, mjh

word-hoard \WURD-hawrd\ , noun:

A person’s vocabulary.

Dictionary.com

“word-hoard”? Not in *my* idiolect. is a post from: mjh's blog. Thank you for subscribing. Let me know what you think. peace, mjh

Dictionary.com

hypnopompic \hip-nuh-POM-pik\ , adjective:

Of or pertaining to the semiconscious state prior to complete wakefulness.

Dictionary.com

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It’s the antepenultimate day of 2012. Enjoy! is a post from: mjh's blog. Thank you for subscribing. Let me know what you think. peace, mjh

Merriam-Webster Online

How many English food words can you name that derive from Nahuatl, a group of languages spoken by native peoples of Mexico and Central America? You’ve probably guessed that "tamale" gives you one; it came to us (by way of Mexican Spanish) from the Nahuatl "tamalli," a word for steamed cornmeal dough. Add to the menu "chili" (from "ch?lli," identifying all those fiery peppers); "chocolate" (from "chocol?tl," first used for a beverage made from chocolate and water); "guacamole" (from "?huacatl," meaning "avocado," plus "m?lli," meaning "sauce"); and "tomato" (from "tomatl"). Top it all off with "chipotle" (a smoked and dried pepper), from "ch?lli" and "p?ctli" (meaning "something smoked").

Merriam-Webster Online

How many English words are derived from Nahuatl? is a post from: mjh's blog. Thank you for subscribing. Let me know what you think. peace, mjh

In honor of National Dictionary Day (Oct. 16), Anderson LIVE selected "adorkable" as the top audience submission for "a new word you would love to see in the dictionary."
adorkable (which is actually a word that Merriam-Webster has been tracking for several years) is defined as "attractive and charming in a nerdy or dorky way"

Merriam-Webster Online

Happy National Dictionary Day! You’re adorkable. is a post from: mjh's blog. Thank you for subscribing. Let me know what you think. peace, mjh

http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/archive/2012/07/01.html?src=rss

mumpsimus \MUHMP-suh-muhs\ , noun:
1. Adherence to or persistence in an erroneous use of language, memorization, practice, belief, etc., out of habit or obstinacy.
2. A person who persists in a mistaken expression or practice.

"I profess, my good lady," replied I, "that had any one but you made such a declaration, I should have thought it as capricious as that of the clergyman, who, without vindicating his false reading, preferred, from habit’s sake, his old Mumpsimus…
– Sir Walter Scott, The Talisman

Mr. Burgess, who sticks (I fancy) to his old mumpsimus, thought that the other gentleman might have given the canoe a shove to get it clear of the lock…
– Ronald A. Knox, The Footsteps at the Lock

Mumpsimus comes from a story (perhaps first told by Erasmus) about an illiterate priest who mispronounced a word while reciting the liturgy. The priest refused to change the word, even when he was corrected.

Dictionary.com Entry and Pronunciation for mumpsimus

http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/archive/2012/07/01.html?src=rss

http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/archive/2012/07/02.html?src=rss

sumpsimus \SUHMP-suh-muhs\ , noun:

1. Adherence to or persistence in using a strictly correct term, holding to a precise practice, etc., as a rejection of an erroneous but more common form (opposed to mumpsimus).

2. A person who is obstinate or zealous about such strict correctness (opposed to mumpsimus).

http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/archive/2012/07/02.html?src=rss

Sumpsimus & Mumpsimus: 2 characters in search of a play… is a post from: mjh's blog. Thank you for subscribing. Let me know what you think. peace, mjh

hebdomadal

Merriam-Webster Online

Off to my hebdomadal volleyball game. is a post from: mjh's blog. Thank you for subscribing. Let me know what you think. peace, mjh

Incommunicommode: “Don’t talk to me in the bathroom.” #neologism is a post from: mjh's blog. Thank you for subscribing. Let me know what you think. peace, mjh

Hogmanay

\ hog-muh-NEY \  , noun;

1.

a gift given on New Year’s Eve.

proper noun:

1.

New Year’s Eve in Scotland.

Word of the Day | Dictionary.com

hogmanay: a gift given on New Year’s Eve is a post from: mjh's blog. Thank you for subscribing. Let me know what you think. peace, mjh