Rigmarole

Rigmarole

<rig-mah-roll>

babble; tale; silliness;

a story that is nonsense.

The fist chapter was rigmarole but the rest of the book was good.

Memory trick:
rigmarole reminds of rig.
something rigged is fake.
example: The game is rigged and you cannot win.

At work:
We must remove the rigmarole from our ads. We should only talk about the product.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
 

Ersatz

Ersatz

<air-zots>

fake; phony; false;

something that is artificial or counterfeit.

Never buy ersatz lemonade. Always make sure it has lemon juice. Some brands are all sugar.

Memory trick:
ersatz reminds of err.
an err is a mistake.
we mistake fake for real.

The bug problem went away when we got ersatz flowers. No one was happy because we missed the aroma the office.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

 
 

Poignant

Poignant

<poy-yant>

bitter; heartbreaking; sorrowful;

something that makes you sad or mournful.

Our poignant moment turned to joy when the lost puppy was found.

Memory trick:
poi reminds of poor.
poor us.

At work:
There were many poignant feelings at the retirement party. He was going to be missed.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
 

Magnanimous

Magnanimous

<mag-nan-nah-mus>

charitable; generous; unselfish;

being forgiving and good to someone less fortunate than you.

The boy was kind and he let the fish go. He was always magnanimous to small animals.

Remember:
magnanimous reminds of generous.

At work:
We're lucky to have a magnanimous CEO. He always treats us well.

(c) 2015 E. Carrruthers
 

Indefatigable

Indefatigable

<inn-deh-fat-tig-gah-bul>

tireless; persistent; energetic;

being consistent and untiring.

The indefatigable dog chased the ball all day. He never got tired.

Memory trick:
indefatigable reminds of "not fatigue".
fatigue means to be tired.

At work:
We are successful because of your indefatigable hard work. You never quit.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
 

Equivocal

Equivocal

<ear-kwiv-vah-kul>

unclear; vague; hazy;

something with many possible meanings or results.

The movie had an equivocal  ending. We never learned the end of the story.

Remember:
equivocal reminds of "equal vocal".
it's equally vocal when there can be many answers.

At work:
She never gives us equivocal directions. We always know what to do.

P.S.
You are a neophyte. = You are a beginner who makes mistakes. (knee-oh-fight)

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Delectation

Delectation

<dee-lek-tay-shun>

joy; happiness; elation;

feeling pleasure or enjoyment.

Candy is my favorite delectation. It always makes me smile.

Remember:
delectation reminds of delectable.
something delectable is pleasant.

At work:
An air of delectation filled the room when we won the contract. A handshake sealed the deal.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers