According to this original use, "factoids" aren't facts at all, but rather fake news that people believe just because they've heard it or have seen it written somewhere, such as in tabloids or on Twitter.
The irony is that today people use factoid to mean a fun trivia fact. This, of course, is pretty much the opposite of what Mailer intended the term to mean. Speaking of irony, isn't it ironic that people use this word incorrectly all the time? It's just funny. That's not what irony is. Sometimes people misuse "ironic" to mean an interesting coincidence.
Irony is really when the opposite of what you expected happens. It can also refer to saying something unexpected, like a sarcastic comment of "good job" when a server drops a tray of glasses. If you think "lied" has two meanings, you're in for a surprise. The term "lied" is the past tense of only one word, not two, so you could be using it correctly only half the time.
If you lied to your mother yesterday, you may not be an honest person, but you used the word correctly. It is not the past tense of "to lie down" — that would be "laid. It's correct to say "I laid down after work yesterday because I was so tired. Fortunately, there are easy ways to differentiate lay vs. It may be tempting to blame this one on Rob Lowe's performance on Parks and Recreation , but the reality is that his Chris Traeger character was poking fun at the many people who are confused by the word "literally.
Most people use this word to mean the opposite, though, saying things like "My head literally exploded. You also wouldn't be talking. This type of usage has become so common that dictionary bigwigs have added the figurative use of literally as a usage option.
Go figure. You can have a luxuriant lawn that's lush with green grass. You won't find that luxuriant lawn to be luxurious if you're the one in charge of all the mowing, fertilizing and weeding. The word "penultimate" means second to last , usually on a list of items or in a series of books.
Words have been changing meaning — sometimes radically — as long as there have been words and speakers to speak them. We love to play with words in creative ways. And in the process, we change the language. In retrospect, we often think the changes words undergo are fascinating.
How you've heard it: "The doctor gave me some painkillers to help mitigate my headache. What it means: To reduce the force or intensity of something , often in regard to harshness, grief, pain, or risk. How you've heard it: "Her story doesn't have even a modicum of truth. What it means: A small amount. What it means: Subject to debate , dispute, or uncertainty, and typically not admitting of a final decision.
How you've heard it: "Jack had a myriad of ideas that he presented at the meeting. What it means: Countless or extremely high in number. How you've heard it: "I have to take out the trash—that smell is nauseous.
What it means: Nausea-inducing. This is an adjective used to describe something that makes you sick , not a way to say you're feeling sick. If you say you're nauseous, you're making someone else sick—and that's probably not what you mean. The word you're looking for is "nauseated," as in you're about to throw up.
How you've heard it: "The reporter really captured the nuance of her story. What it means: A subtle quality , distinction, or variation.
How you've heard it: "It is a paradox that you sometimes need to be cruel to be kind. What it means: A statement that is seemingly contradictory but in reality, expresses a possible truth; it could also refer to a person, situation, action, or thing that has contradictory qualities. How you've heard it: "He has a penchant for falling for bad boys. What it means: A strong tendency toward something , or to display a habitual liking for something.
How you've heard it: "She finished the assignment in a perfunctory manner. What it means: If you do something in a perfunctory manner, it means that you are doing so in a routine or mechanical way that lacks a certain enthusiasm or interest in the particular activity. Hey, at least you get it done on time, though! How you've heard it: "I perused the article you sent me, but I don't agree with that argument about healthcare.
What it means: Sometimes people think "peruse" means "skim. It actually means to read thoroughly or examine at length. How you've heard it: "The plethora of dating sites out there make it so challenging to know where to begin. What it means: Though "plethora" is often misused as "a lot of" something in a favorable way, it means " too much " of something… in a non-favorable way.
How you've heard it: "In the state of West Virginia, coal mining has practically become an obsolete industry. What it means: "Obsolete" is an adjective for something that is no longer current. How you've heard it: "Some would say that a 'deafening silence' is an oxymoron. What it means: An "oxymoron" is a combination of contradictory or incongruous remember that one? How you've heard it: "You don't need to call circles 'round. What it means: People assume "redundant" means "repetitive," but it actually refers to a word or phrase that doesn't add anything to the conversation—because that point has already been made in another way.
How you've heard it: "She was quick to point out the stark differences between our careers. What it means: The most common use of "stark"—outside of Game of Thrones , that is—is simply " sharply delineated.
What it means: People often use "travesty" and "tragedy" interchangeably, but "travesty" actually means "a debased, distorted, or grossly inferior imitation " of something else. How you've heard it: "This beef stew just hits you with that delicious umami. What it means: "Umami" is one of the basic tastes the others are sweetness, sourness, bitterness, and saltiness. It's essentially synonymous with the word savory. How you've heard it: "If you knew the definition of every word on this list, then you must have an impressive grasp on the English vernacular.
What it means: If you're dialed into the lingo of your home country, then it's likely that you are familiar with the country's vernacular, or common tongue. All Rights Reserved. Open side menu button. Smarter Living. Learn the proper definition of these common words you hear on a regular basis. By Best Life Editors July 8, Read This Next. Latest News.
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