Reading progress in June was horrendous. The only positive that came out of it is that I have crossed the halfway point. From here on out, my bookmark will officially be closer to the end of the dictionary than the beginning. I’m frustrated that it took me a year and a half to reach this point but I underestimated how big a challenge this book was and I have not been consistent in my effort and discipline to sit down and read.Reaching the halfway point is a big accomplishment but there is more danger on the horizon. The two longest sections of the dictionary (P and S) are coming up. Hopefully I find the drive to plug away at this book consistently or those sections may leave me stagnant.
Interesting words of the month:
MIDDLE CLASS- The official definition states that the middle class is composed of “business and professional people, bureaucrats, and some farmers and skilled workers.” This definition does not line up with what liberals want us to think is the middle class. The definition goes beyond just economic resources; it also speaks to social characteristics and values. When I hear the term middle class, I think of what my parents worked their way up to. When liberals talk about it, it’s as if anyone making more than minimum wage is part of this class. I’d like to see the current crop of presidential candidates define middle class. Let’s put them on the record because some politicians are puffing this class way out of proportion.
MONETARISM- This is an area of economics that I plan on reading more about after I finish all the books in my house. Economics, while potentially bland and stuffy, is actually a pretty riveting subject if you care to pay attention to it.
MONTEZUMA’S REVENGE- I find it hilarious that this phrase is in the dictionary. Hey, if bling, selfie, and cray can get in the dictionary, the inclusion of Montezuma’s Revenge seems pretty tame and understandable.
MOOSE- This word is of Algonquin origin. I did not know that and I think it is neat. If you think about it, it makes sense because I can’t think of any language that ‘moose’ sounds like it might come from. I would probably have guessed French because they settled a lot of Canada.
MORNING SICKNESS- Both my dictionary and MW online date this term to 1879. The condition obviously has been around longer, but this begs the question- did people have another polite term for it before ‘morning sickness’ hit the scene? Or was anything dealing with pregnancy and its side effects just taboo until 1879?
MOUNTAIN DEW- This phrase proved both amusing and educational. This term used to be hillbilly slang for moonshine. I wondered if the creators of the soft drink Mountain Dew knew of the illicit connection to their product’s name, so I did a little research. Oh, did they ever know! Mountain Dew was originally formulated as a powdered mix for people to mix with their favorite liquor. The two men who created it could not get their favorite flavor of soft drink in their Tennessee town so they did their best to imitate the flavor. Eventually they sold the formula and rights to their product in the 60s. The name of their product has now been around for 75 years. Not too shabby.
Page Count: 801/1600 (50.06%)
Countdown to the Letter N: 7 pages
