Activist lexicographer Erin McKean sets her sights on singer/songwriter John Linnell of the group "They Might Be Giants." She's hoping he’ll bring back to common parlance some words that are threatened by obsolescence.
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Use It or Lose It, Part II
Activist lexicographer Erin McKean checks up on John Linnell of the band "They Might Be Giants," to see if he's delivered on his promise to promote three under-appreciated words.
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A regular on The Next Big Thing, McKean wants writers to use endangered words before dictionaries drop the terms into obsolescence or oblivion. John Linnell's assignment:
contrecoup - A concussion or shock produced by a blow or other injury, in a part or region opposite to that at which the blow is received, often causing rupture or disorganisation of the parts affectedShort work for one of the Johns (who arguably have already written numerous songs on these subjects). -- McLir [thanks to Jay]
craniosophic - learned in skulls (as in phrenology)
limerent - the state of being infatuated or obsessed with another person, typically involuntarily, characterized by a strong desire for reciprocation of one's feelings, but not primarily a sexual relationship
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