Archives

A hound is any of several breeds of dog used for hunting, often having a long face and large drooping ears. Informally, any dog can be called a hound, and a mean and contemptible man can be called a hound as well, although…

Continue Reading

A chump is an informal term that means ‘a person easily fooled’ or simply ‘a fool’. As a slang term, it means ‘head.’ Chump is also a short, thick piece of wood or, sometimes as chump-end, the thick end of something, especially a loin of lamb or mutton. Unrelatedly, to chump is a less common variant of ‘to chomp’, meaning…

Continue Reading

The stem is the part of a plant that supports the leaf, flower, or fruit. It’s also something you can find in a wineglass, a pipe, or a watch. There are more meanings to discover, including what STEM means in education…

Continue Reading

Prance is what horses do when they move with springing steps. It also means ‘to ride on a horse doing this.’ By extension, if a person prances, it means that he or she walks in a really proud manner, with exaggerated steps, trying to attract attention. As a noun, a prance is…

Continue Reading

To gush means ‘to flow out suddenly and with force,’ as liquids do when released from somewhere they have been contained. Figuratively, if a person talks too much and effusively or emotionally about something, that is also to gush, and if…

Continue Reading

Grim is an adjective that means ‘stern and allowing no compromise.’ It can also refer to anything of a sinister character, and also to something cruel or savage. When we use grim to talk about people or things, it can mean…

Continue Reading

A stream is a body of water that flows along a channel and, as a verb, it can mean ‘to proceed continuously’ and it’s also something you might do on your computer…

Continue Reading

A roost is a place where birds perch to rest, or any large cage or house for birds to rest in. Figuratively, any place to rest can be called a roost. To roost, as a verb, means ‘to sit or rest in a roost’ and, figuratively, ‘to settle or stay, especially to rest by…

Continue Reading

We’re pretty sure you know that guy is an informal word for a man or boy and that, in the plural form guys, it can refer to both men and women, but did you know that guy is also a verb meaning ‘to make fun of or ridicule someone?’ And do you know who Guy Fawkes was and why today the UK celebrates Bonfire Night?

Continue Reading

To strut means to walk in an overly proud and self-important way,’ but, as a noun, it can be a part used as a support in a structure…

Continue Reading