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Thanks, Lauren Stringer, for pointing me to Visual Thesaurus, an online wordie paradise (promised land, nirvana, heaven, Shangri-la, Eden). Word mapping is addictive (habit-forming). And the column Fresh Ink is a...well...fresh (novel, original, new; also invigorating, bracing, refreshing, brisk) take on language. Don't miss the entry on Crash Blossoms. There is a word of the day, word lists made from chapters of books and speeches (or make your own), lesson plans, contests, and more. I am partial to traditional, hard cover reference books, but Visual Thesaurus may be my new favorite tool (implement, instrument).

I used the word bumbershoot in an email today and discovered that it is a regionalism. I love finding words, like independent stores, that can't be found in every state in every strip mall and coffee shop.

According to DARE, bumbershoot (umbrella) has been heard most places east of the Mississippi, beginning back in 1896. It is a combination of bumbrella and shoot, from chute. Some of its delightful cousins include: blundershoot, brumbershoot, bumblershoot, bumbleshoot, bumpershoot, bumptershoot, and bumshoot. Then there's bumbersol, combining bumbershoot and parasol and its relatives bombersoll, bumbasol, bumbersoll, and bumpersol.  

And finally, from my favorite thesaurus, Chambers, two more umbrella words: brolly and gamp. 

Stay dry, everyone!

It snowed last night - less than an inch, but we're in for a heap more over the next couple of days. I broke out the thickest, longest, puffiest of my winter jackets this morning when I went out to shovel. It made me think about my favorite winter book, Winter is the Warmest Season by Lauren Stringer and one of my favorite winter pictures, Great Grandparents Andreas and Maria snug on a sleigh in their cozy chin to toe coats. 

From Chambers Compact Thesaurus, coat:

overcoat, greatcoat, redingote, car-coat, duffel coat, fleece, fur coat, Afghan, blanket, frock-coat, tail-coat, jacket, bomber jacket, dinner-jacket, donkey jacket, hacking-jacket, reefer, pea-jacket, shooting-jacket, safari jacket, Eton jacket, matinee jacket, tuxedo, blazer, raincoat, trench-coat, mackintosh, mac, Burberry, parka, anorak, cagoul, jerkin, blouson, cape, cloak, poncho...

And my favorite: windcheater

People name babies April, May, June and August (from Latin: grand), but not November. And it’s no wonder. November in a word: stark. If it were a crayon: grey. October’s brilliant yellows dissolve into brown crinkles on the pavement and trees are left shivering black skeletons. But this Iowa afternoon defines anomaly (divergence from what is usual or expected). On my walk: lawns July green, skies September blue. November, you’re nearly name worthy.

From Michelle Edwards comes this excellent word for the day:

parry

and from my favorite dictionary this brief and poetic definition:

to fend off (a blow)

to sidestep (a question) adeptly

Leo and Phoenix, July