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Spitting Image

The return of my evil twin sister!

Arrgghh!   Though people say we are the spitting image of each other!

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There Are 194 Comments for “Spitting Image”

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  1. dustin535 on August 7th, 2008 6:13 pm

    hey what is the origen of the words “sex” and “sexy”.

  2. allizard on April 1st, 2008 12:17 am

    argg… “doppelganger” playing Magic the Gathering finally paid off!! :mrgreen:

  3. serenitygod on March 30th, 2008 8:10 pm

    I think it is splitting image

  4. bonerjams95 on March 29th, 2008 9:23 pm

    how about the phrase blow job? i have all ways wondered how that came to be so if you can make a video teaching me, thanks

  5. wayne_leonheart on March 29th, 2008 3:11 pm

    I think that it is theory one. It seems to be the one that makes the most sense

  6. nighteye on March 29th, 2008 2:31 pm

    I’m going with number 2 - identical twins are also formed by splitting a cell.

    And while I’m waiting on my earlier word requests, another request: what is the origin of the word breakfast? Is it contradictory if I eat slowfood for breakfast?

    Bob replied on March 29th, 2008 9:53 pm:

    This has nothing to do with quickly and slowly.
    Fast also means to abstain from eating, as in Lent, Ramadan and hunger strike.
    Normally, humans start to feel hungry and have to eat after a maximum of four hours from the last meal, but when sleeping overnight they go for at least nine or ten hours without eating so they are effectively fasting overnight and the first meal of the new day breaks that fast, hence break-fast.

  7. darnko on March 29th, 2008 2:29 pm

    Funny thing, ’split’ image crossed my mind when I first opened this lesson so I must go with the answer that it’s from, “splitting Image”.

    Darnko :wink:

  8. sammyizcool on March 29th, 2008 2:26 pm

    are purple and violet the same color
    and if so where did we get violet from?

  9. wingdingking on March 29th, 2008 1:08 pm

    Hi Marina
    i was wanting to know the history of the word OBITUARY and also to go along with that word MORBID thks

  10. deragor on March 29th, 2008 1:04 pm

    Theory number 3. We’ve got the same expression in italy, and the ittalian for spit doesn’t sound like the italian for split, nor spirit. So… it MUST be n°3. This time i’m sure!

  11. ravioliman66 on March 29th, 2008 12:25 pm

    Theory No 1.

  12. lividemerald on March 29th, 2008 12:21 pm

    Just for fun, I looked up “schmo” (schmoe). The origin is given as unknown. Apparently coined in 1947. It means an annoyingy stupid or foolish person (synonym of jerk). At first, I assumed that in the expression “holy schmoly,” the “ly” was added for alliterative purposes, and I wondered how “holy” got hooked up with “schmo” in the first place. Then I happened upon the dictionary entry for the prefix “schm-” (shm-). It comes from Yiddish “shm-” and is “used to form a rhyming term of derision by replacing the initial consonant or consonant cluster of a word or by preceding the initial vowel.” The example provided is fancy schmancy. I guess this second entry is the good one behind the explanation of holy schmoly. I would assume that “shimoly” is a spelling variation. I’m such a schmart ass!

  13. theoddgeteven on March 29th, 2008 10:32 am

    Holy shimoly ….this stream is all over the place……

    To stay with the homework assigned….Therory #1 has got to be the winner.

  14. deaconj999 on March 29th, 2008 10:31 am

    :roll:
    Hi Marina,

    I was wondering if you know where the word tomfoolery comes from ?

    Regards

    Joe

  15. tollinchi on March 29th, 2008 10:07 am

    Hi I was wondering… When ever I go to a restaurant I have to wait to be seated, then wait for the waiter or waitress who by the refer to their profession as waiting on tables. So, Is there a connection between waiters and waiting? If you think about it the waiters really don’t wait that much… I do. Anyway I am curious about that. Take care bye,bye.

  16. batanglooban on March 29th, 2008 9:51 am

    i want to know the words ending in -gry are… angry, hungry and idc wat is d other one…tnx marina :grin:

  17. lukefuno on March 29th, 2008 8:50 am

    the word i would like to know about is “fuck”
    now i am not trying to be a smart ass or anything but someone told me it not a curse word but means “fornicating under the kings consent” like it was an acronym, or something. could you clarify? thanks, :)

    lividemerald replied on March 29th, 2008 12:06 pm:

    A picture would be worth a thousand words on this one. :cool:

  18. BillyB on March 29th, 2008 8:49 am

    I’ve always used the phrase “splitting image” so my bad for not Knowing yet it had morphed to spitting with the lost “L”. #2 didn’t cheat & I feel old enough to have beem around when the Phrase was coined.
    My mom is still with us & so is her twin & they still compete with each other, almost bitterly sometimes, but share a bond that is closer than other siblings. They were kept warm as little babys in the bread warmer above the stove in the bitterly cold Sasketchewan winter. I’m sure Marina has a bond that is as close that comes across as sibling rivalry in the vids’. :lol:
    I paused the video @ 2:16 to get the phone @ was intimidated when I came back to the computer. Marina’s brotther could look like that ?
    Anyways Marina shatters the myth of “blond means dumb”.
    This otta’ shatter the “lacking social concscience” myth .
    http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=NutBawnYtlw

  19. nearlynot on March 29th, 2008 8:17 am

    I’ll go with #3. That’s the only one I ever heard used

  20. rjphotog on March 29th, 2008 7:40 am

    I vote for number two. It makes the most sense and sounds the most like “spitting image”.

  21. mrpenguinismyhomeboy on March 29th, 2008 7:26 am

    whats the origin of the word awesome?
    thx! :mrgreen:

  22. richiebution on March 29th, 2008 5:26 am

    okay, what does femme fatale mean?

    lividemerald replied on March 29th, 2008 12:04 pm:

    That’s an easy one. But I’d like to direct your attenton instead to a film by Brian De Palma entitled “Femme Fatale.” It’s a great film with a controversial ending (but I love it!).

  23. colormekosher on March 29th, 2008 1:46 am

    shalom hotforwords I’m a new student I would like to know were the wild goose chase comes from.

    lividemerald replied on March 29th, 2008 2:18 am:

    ….or more importanty, where the wild goose chase is going!

  24. el professor on March 29th, 2008 1:37 am

    In college English almost 40 years ago we were told it comes from “spirit and image” by people who really took English scholarship seriously.

    el professor replied on March 29th, 2008 1:46 am:

    I should have added that what it means is that someone not only LOOKS like someone else, usually a father, but also ACTS like him. His image (appearance) is the same and so his his spirit (character and personality).

  25. scarecrow03 on March 29th, 2008 12:51 am

    I would like to know the history of the word “WELCOME”. Is it simply a shortened version of “Well, come on in”?

    Also, is the correct answer to the “Spitting Image” game the first choice of “Spirit and Image”? Lemme know please.

    Keep up the good work, Marina. You’re helping me get a brain better than the wizard ever did. :mrgreen:

  26. jezko68 on March 28th, 2008 10:43 pm

    Love your videos. Very smart, and super sexy. I think the answer to spitting image is number 3, but 2 sounds like a possibility. Hey, could you research the word “hodgepodge”? Thanks. Mmmmwwaaa.

  27. ashleyee100 on March 28th, 2008 9:04 pm

    Hi HotForWords!!!

    I’d like to request the word ‘ambidextrous’, thanks so much!

    Ashley

    lividemerald replied on March 29th, 2008 12:00 pm:

    BTW, the astronauts just installed DEXTRE the robot on the ISS. I wonder if he’s ambi? :roll:

    Bob replied on March 29th, 2008 9:45 pm:

    I’ll add my name to this request.
    Why Ambi- …
    Ambidextrous, Ambiguous but only Bisextile and Bisexual.
    Also, Dextre must have an evil twin called Sinistre so, is a person with “two left feet” ambisinistrous?

  28. weeder14 on March 28th, 2008 9:03 pm

    I like theory #1. the other two seem a bit too far fetched for me.

  29. tdwnarrows on March 28th, 2008 8:33 pm

    Great maxim show and Great lesson 5 stars to each.
    Answer— I think its # 3

  30. link57 on March 28th, 2008 7:46 pm

    SPIT AND IMAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:   :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:   :mrgreen:

  31. delana1347 on March 28th, 2008 7:28 pm

    Hey Marina! I LOVE your videos! They’re ALOT of help with my language.
    I was wondering…
    If you could figure out where the word ” guile ” came from.
    Im very confused about this word and I DO NOT know anything about this word. I am VERY curious. My youtube name is Delana1347 and I am a current suscriber of you! Yay!
    Thanks for all your help,
    Delana1347
    ( You pronounce Delana as Duh - Lane - Uh )
    There ya go :D

  32. milea on March 28th, 2008 5:51 pm

    Hello there Hotforwords!
    Love the videos, I have a word request for you!
    PETTIFOGGER: It means a petty, unscrupulous lawyer; also, who quibbles over trivia.
    I was wondering how this word came about.
    Thanks a bunch!
    MiLea :roll:

    lividemerald replied on March 29th, 2008 2:15 am:

    I hope Marina does this one, because I haven’t the foggiest.

  33. eseverson on March 28th, 2008 5:31 pm

    I would love to know the etymology of the words Heaven and Hell.

    I have always been fascinated by words and their origins, and when I discovered your YouTube channel, it fueled my hobby even more. I am appreciative that there are other people who are passionate about words too. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the world.

    Вы также красивы

    lividemerald replied on March 29th, 2008 11:58 am:

    Hell, yes! Heaven can wait. :grin:

  34. dmrm22 on March 28th, 2008 4:57 pm

    Where did the word procrastination originate from?

    I have a video response as well

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw1v8I_QPeA

  35. alcapone on March 28th, 2008 4:53 pm

    I’m portuguese, i’m curious about the word ‘Iberia’…

    Iberia

    1. The region of Europe south of the Pyrenees, consisting of Andorra, Spain, Portugal, and Gibraltar.

    But where did this word come from? :)

  36. jeffinboulder on March 28th, 2008 4:39 pm

    Dear Marina,
    Hope all is well. Please investigate the word “Candy Cake” I have a birthday coming up.
    Many thanks,

    jeffinboulder

  37. big andrew on March 28th, 2008 4:17 pm

    hey hfw, where did the term “the whole 9 yads” originate from?

    does it come from WW1 airplan gunners using about 9 yards of ammo at a time.

    big andrew replied on March 28th, 2008 4:29 pm:

    excuse the type O, I ment yards not yads.

    lividemerald replied on March 29th, 2008 11:57 am:

    I’ll excuse your misspelling But why should I excuse your blood type? :mrgreen:

  38. toysjoe on March 28th, 2008 4:15 pm

    If no one can answer this, perhaps we can do a lesson on why “Yours truly” means “myself”.

  39. muggins on March 28th, 2008 3:59 pm

    Dear teacher,

    What is the origin of “feckless”? Or…what is the feck of
    feckless?

    el professor replied on March 29th, 2008 1:45 am:

    It’s a mispronounciation of “effectless,” a synonym “ineffective.” Your feckless nebbish is the nephew or son-in-law that you hire to give your daughter and her children an income because her husband would never succeed on his own.

  40. fireduck01 on March 28th, 2008 3:13 pm

    i think it is #3 form fireduck01

  41. ramza42 on March 28th, 2008 3:11 pm

    sex,penius,vagina

  42. theresee on March 28th, 2008 3:02 pm

    Where did Therese orgin from or does it have any meaning?

  43. david-j on March 28th, 2008 2:58 pm

    Orgasm is a wonderful WORD to tell about it’s origin!I know the origin of it but still!Будет интересно узнать точное от тебя! :wink:

  44. chnum on March 28th, 2008 2:54 pm

    why don’t you investigate the word :arrow: to investigate/ investigation :?:

  45. dstiner86 on March 28th, 2008 1:59 pm

    Here is a tough word that truelly would be a task for you to even find. Any way the word is “Mogwai”. If you can’t think of where these might of possible came from, here is a terrible clue. Think of “Gizmo”? eh enjoy that one!

  46. steamboatwilly on March 28th, 2008 1:56 pm

    Hmm, the second i reckon.

    The origin of the word ‘mercy’, obviously related to the French ‘merci’, but why / how?

    Good skills BTW!

    lividemerald replied on March 29th, 2008 2:12 am:

    An old meaning of “merci” is grace or pity, as in “at the mercy of God.” (à la merci de Dieu), or “to cry uncle” (crier merci).

  47. alcapone on March 28th, 2008 1:28 pm

    I think it’s theory number 3.

  48. phatbank on March 28th, 2008 1:20 pm

    I’ve always wanted to know about the origin of the phrase “Put up your dukes” to refer to boxing or fisticuffs.

  49. musonik on March 28th, 2008 1:07 pm

    Hello Hot for words,
    where did the word melancholy come from? Peace love and thank you for the HOT website.You are one hotty for sure

    lividemerald replied on March 29th, 2008 2:05 am:

    I heard that if you crossed Lassie with a watermelon, you got a melancholy baby. :grin:

  50. motoslau on March 28th, 2008 12:53 pm

    i would like to know the origin of sarchofagus

    lividemerald replied on March 29th, 2008 11:54 am:

    I looked up sarcophagus, and it has very amusing roots. Rather than provide the answer, I think I’l just second the motion, and ask that Marina do this one. I assume you misspelled the word, motoslau, but I actually like the “look” of your spelling. By the way, I saw a whiteboard this past week on which an English teacher spelled “misspelling” with just one s–boy was I tempted to write a nasty note! How can a teacher misspell misspelling??? :???:

    motoslau replied on March 29th, 2008 1:18 pm:

    sorry if i misspeled it or anything but i’m romanian so i’m not that good at spelling still i hope marina is gonna tell me this one:)

  51. liljrpat on March 28th, 2008 12:13 pm

    can i request for the word “Biotic”, thanks alot!

    LilJrPat

    lividemerald replied on March 29th, 2008 11:49 am:

    Or even antibiotic, for that matter. Check out the Greek word biotos, which means “life.”

  52. archbishopbilly on March 28th, 2008 12:00 pm

    I would guess option 3.

    Dear Teacher, could you us the where the phrase “The Bee’s Knees” comes from? Commonly used when something is clever or keen as in “Well isn’t that just the bee’s knees.”

    Thanks
    Your devouted student
    Archbishop Billy

    lividemerald replied on March 29th, 2008 2:04 am:

    My grandmother used to say, “Well, I’ll swan.” I never did figure out the origin of that. But it seemed to be the equivalent of, “Well, I’ll be!”

  53. Summer on March 28th, 2008 11:59 am

    Here’s a request: soap opera. I don’t understand why it’s called that!

  54. takachiado on March 28th, 2008 11:57 am

    Does the international no symbol have anything to do with the Japanese character の pronounced “no”?

  55. jamus37 on March 28th, 2008 11:52 am

    :smile: Would you do a lesson on the prefix ab as in absolute or absolution or absolve. I have wondered why this prefix seems to refer to removing things.

    Sincerely,

    Student Jamus37

    lividemerald replied on March 29th, 2008 2:39 am:

    Paraphrasing my dictionary: ab- (prefix) Middle English, from Old French and Latin; Old French from Latin ab-, abs-, a-, from ab meaning from, away, off. From Greek apo.
    Just picking up the dictionary worked my abs!

  56. omontesc on March 28th, 2008 11:46 am

    according to the word “spitting image” i think the 3rd theory is the correct. please let me know marina. greetings from MX

  57. omontesc on March 28th, 2008 11:41 am

    i would lke to know the origin of a delicious word…DESSERT. thanks Marina and greetings, i hope you select this word.

  58. lemon2323 on March 28th, 2008 11:06 am

    I want to know were the word plasma came from. and also were howdy because it says that in the top right cornor :mrgreen:

  59. galakticus on March 28th, 2008 10:51 am

    the 3d one.

    High Marina)) Could you explain the origin of the word spirit? Why are some liquor called spirits?

  60. leebot_9 on March 28th, 2008 10:16 am

    Dear HotForWords,
    I’d like to request the phrase:

    “Cut to the chase”

    Thanks!

    lividemerald replied on March 29th, 2008 2:02 am:

    When things got boring in old movies, the director would have the film cut to the chase (as in coppers followin robbers) to keep the audience interested. This is what I’ve heard, anyway.

  61. matrix on March 28th, 2008 10:10 am

    Hi Marina,

    My word requests are: Analogy and Analysis. :lol:

    Cya

    lividemerald replied on March 29th, 2008 2:00 am:

    Sounds retentive to me…

    matrix replied on March 29th, 2008 6:33 am:

    yea, scratch those: rather mundane. ;\

  62. errinf on March 28th, 2008 10:08 am

    My answer is going to be D -None of the above. The three answers given may all be false answers given out by Marina’s evil twin. Don’t let the voice in the background of the vid fool you… Marina’s dark half could easily have mastered ventriloquism as well as philology. You never know… I’ll have to wait until the next video to find out. How evil. :twisted:

    As for a word request, I recently came across the word ‘reincelibate’ (or ‘re-incelibate’, perhaps) in a song lyric of an old Mott the Hoople track. Curious if it is a real word or if it is just a play on words. If it is real, I wonder what exactly it means, tho I doubt it is real, and more of a Lewis Carroll type effort. Thought I’d ask Marina and/or her evil twin about it, as they both have degrees in philology.

    Thanks for another interesting lesson, HotForWords. By chance do you have a neutral triplet in addition to your evil twin? Maybe we should just clone you and create a master race of philologists. Just think of all the word requests that would get answered. :mrgreen:

  63. xxfirefrostxx on March 28th, 2008 9:58 am

    what does fire and ice mean

  64. redraven1974 on March 28th, 2008 9:46 am

    LOL I WAS THINKING IT WAS A SPITTING OF THE OTHER HEAD(CUM)LOL BOY WAS I WRONG LOL/ LIKE A SON LOOKS LIKE THE FATHER OR THE DAUGHTER LOOKS LIKE THE MOTHER LOL.OH WELL IM GONG TO GUESS NUMBER 2 NO NO 1 NO NO 3 OK 2 NO 1 NO 3 NO NO OK FINAL ANSWER (2) OK THAT IT OK 2 IM SURE IM WRONG AGAIN BUT WORTH A TRY.

  65. thefailure on March 28th, 2008 9:45 am

    I’d like to know more about the word, Bisexual. [:

  66. nvalline on March 28th, 2008 9:33 am

    I think the answer is number 3, Spit and Image.

    I also have a word request, it kind of goes with spitting image, juxtaposition.

    Thanks and the lessons are great!

  67. whacker on March 28th, 2008 9:24 am

    Can you please make a video about the word “marginalize”? I didnt really understood it.

    Thanks and love you videos!

  68. derfasthirnlosenick on March 28th, 2008 8:08 am

    Kindergarden looks like it consists of the word Kinder and Garden, which would imply that it comes from the german words Kind meaning child and Garten meaning garden, but here’s another rather interesting explanation:

    It’s rather interesting, that in many european languages, words that sound related to “garden” (english), “garten” (german) or “jardin” (french) often have something to do with protection of “the weak”.
    Examples: The guard. (german: Garde), yard…
    In fact, a Garten is a place always surrounded and protected by some sort of fence, wall or hedge.
    Which leads us to the words chórtos (greec) and the hortus (latin) for garden. The corresponding verb “hortari” means “to advise/warn” or “to invite so. to do sth.” or literally translated “wohl eingefrieded” (german) or “well protected”.
    Also, another german word for “Kindergarten” is “Kinderhort” (even though they seem to be related, the apparently aren’t (?))

    To make the long story short: In this context, garten has nothing to do with flowers and trees, but rather with the protection of something vulnurable.

    This idea also applies to “Baumschule”, a place where trees are protected. Like a school.

    Hope that did help, though I can not guarantee that it is correct.
    I’m no phylologist. I’m not even hot :(

    My word of choice: Where does the name Marina come from.

    derfasthirnlosenick replied on March 28th, 2008 8:25 am:

    oh wait! alternative word:
    Gay/Lesbian
    I know where gay is supposed to come from, but does lesbian have anything to do with the lesbos island in greece?

    derfasthirnlosenick replied on March 28th, 2008 9:10 am:

    maybe I should have listened to the radio thingy before posting that comment. disregard it ;)

  69. prospero811 on March 28th, 2008 6:35 am

    Marina,

    Your website has become quite the phrontistery, even with that acrasial, fallaciloquent, and senticous evil twin of yours. I’ve become quite the sacricolist of you, Marina. You speak gaudiloquently, and your hirquitalliency increases every day.

    Amazing how many words have come and gone in the English language.

    Eric

    Marina replied on March 28th, 2008 6:50 am:

    Being quite the sesquipedalian, eh prospero811 :?: :eek:

    prospero811 replied on March 28th, 2008 7:40 am:

    Yes, I suppose I am today.

    All that may have sounded like amphigory or galimatias, but hopefully you don’t consider it a delenda. Word of advice for your evil twin, she should probably get herself to a growlery.

    prospero811 replied on March 28th, 2008 7:41 am:

    Oh.. request tor your next video… can you wear a belly shirt please? I am in the mood for omphaloskepsis. :lol: (strictly for philosophical purposes, of course…. )

    alx replied on March 28th, 2008 7:55 am:

    prospero,

    if you like good-looking east european women with big boobs and revealing clothes, you should definitely check out veronika zemanová. not from russia, though, but from czechoslovakia.
    I think she did some playboy shootings. whatever.

    alx replied on March 28th, 2008 7:56 am:

    there’s even a dog in that video.

    prospero811 replied on March 28th, 2008 8:19 am:

    alx - I did not see the dog…. and I don’t discriminate based on national origin…. :smile:

    alx replied on March 28th, 2008 8:35 am:

    first few seconds in the vid. white dog.

    hitman replied on March 28th, 2008 3:19 pm:

    Don’t confuse Russia with Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic) :evil: but finally is east European…

    alx replied on March 28th, 2008 3:47 pm:

    ?

    buzzword replied on March 28th, 2008 7:32 pm:

    Back in the 80’s during the cold war, we watched, I kid you not the movie Red Dawn in history class. This farm boy said if he ever saw a Russkie he’d shoot him. I asked why in the hell would just shoot somebody for being Russian? Along with a few additional insults and we ended up fighting. He was just some ignorant patriotic farm boy who likes to ride tractors and shoot guns. So twenty years later I am talking with hitman and wondering what the farm boy would think of that. Now here is the sad thing. The kid ended up being a military policeman stationed at the Guantanomo Bay prison. This was before the news that the U.S. was torturing detainees. The farm boy comes up missing, all they can find are his clothes at the edge of a ledge overlooking the ocean. The military declared it an accidental death and closed the case. I always think about this patriotic farm boy and that fight we had and if he committed suicide, if so why, and what he was thinking.

    hitman replied on March 29th, 2008 5:52 am:

    But, Red Dawn doesn’t describe a real fact, just an hypothetical Soviet invasion to the USA

    buzzword replied on March 29th, 2008 8:53 am:

    No, but viewing the video while in a history class during the cold war is irresponsible. The movie had little to do with history. It affected the students understanding toward Russia and it’s history. It created a bias in the class that interfered with a fair treatment of world history. Also in my post there is a theme of personal and national aggression and how people and nations have progressed. The fictional crimes committed by the Russians in the movie are then compared to the real crimes committed by the U.S. in Guantanomo Bay. They are linked by the lives of me and this farm boy and how our experiences and perceptions have guided and misguided us, and our nations.

    rhoadess replied on March 28th, 2008 3:42 pm:

    :shock:
    prospero811 If you speak that way normally, you should consider running for president, you would keep the media perplexed for days, trying to figure out if you actually answered their question.
    Well here’s a list of the words you used for those who have no clue what it says, yes I had to google them :neutral:

    phrontistery
    n. place for study.

    acrasial Adjective (comparative more acrasial, superlative most acrasial)
    Positive
    acrasial
    sacricolist n 1727 -1727
    devout worshipper
    She was a skeptic, but became a sacricolist after her father’s death.

    Comparative
    more acrasial

    Superlative
    most acrasial

    1. ill-mannered, ill-tempered.

    fallaciloquence n 1656 -1761
    deceitful speech
    Your fallaciloquence, though charming, will not convince the jury to acquit.
    senticous adj 1657 -1657
    prickly; thorny
    He pricked himself on a senticous bush as he searched about for his golf ball.
    gaudiloquent adj 1656 -1727
    speaking joyfully or on joyful matters
    Her gaudiloquent tone was thought excessively perky by the stodgy faculty.
    hirquitalliency n 1652 -1652
    strength of voice
    The wrestler’s hirquitalliency compensated for his lack of strength and talent.
    sesquipedalian
    1 : having many syllables : LONG *sesquipedalian terms*
    2 : given to or characterized by the use of long words *a sesquipedalian television commentator*

    amphigory n.

    A nonsense verse; a rigmarole, with apparent meaning, which on further attention proves to be meaningless. [Written also amphigouri.]
    galimatias n.

    Nonsense; gibberish.

    [French.]
    delenda n. pl.

    [L., fr. delere to destroy.]
    Things to be erased or blotted out.
    growlery
    a retreat for times of ill humor
    This, you must know, is the growlery. When I am out of humour, I come and growl here. — Dickens, Bleak House

  70. emmanuelo16 on March 28th, 2008 6:30 am

    Can you do a lesson on the origin of the word KINDERGARTEN :neutral: :twisted: :shock: :roll: :mad:   :eek:

  71. prospero811 on March 28th, 2008 6:19 am

    Hi Marina!

    My guess is “spit and image.”

    TGIF!

    Eric

  72. jilsoft on March 28th, 2008 5:44 am

    Please please please can you give me the real origin of “the whole nine yards” .. I have seen several… I must know! It refers to the totality of something … as in.. “He took the whole nine yards of the beer on the table!”
    Thanks so much HFW… :wink:

  73. tygejessen on March 28th, 2008 4:54 am

    I was wondering where the origin of the word recorder comes from. (The woodwind instrument called recorder)

  74. pelnied on March 28th, 2008 4:29 am

    It would be so amazing if you would do the word hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia i watch all your videos and think you are amazing

  75. xennelul on March 28th, 2008 4:21 am

    I have two word requests that are totally unrelated:

    origins of the word ‘robot’
    where does the expression ‘running amok’ come from?

    Thanks!

    lividemerald replied on March 29th, 2008 1:42 am:

    You had me going there. I was going to correct your punctuation to read: I have two word requests that are: totally, unrelated. :roll:

  76. sxcat on March 28th, 2008 3:39 am

    Could you try the word “concubine” ?

    lividemerald replied on March 29th, 2008 1:41 am:

    Darn! I was going to suggest that one.
    Oh well. Farewell my concubine!

  77. brainimeanbrian on March 28th, 2008 3:03 am

    “Knock your socks off”

    lividemerald replied on March 29th, 2008 1:39 am:

    That one is a shoo-in!

  78. shadowsoldier1x1 on March 28th, 2008 2:57 am

    man, this is the only english hw i ever do! ah well, i this its the splitting image..

  79. tricovictus on March 28th, 2008 1:15 am

    i think is teory number 3, but i agree with number 2, so i have to throw a coin, ok, is number 3

  80. slipperynoodle20 on March 28th, 2008 1:08 am

    I like the “splitting image” . Spit woodwork is also a sign of good craftsmanship.
    I also have my first word request. It is inspired by the high standard of your lessons. One could say you are “persnickety” about what you present and even how you present the lesson.
    Where did persnickety come from?
    Thanks

  81. shoup_erick on March 28th, 2008 12:59 am

    I agree with the majority here - I choose number 3. I also have to add that as an adjunct faculty, it was always good to hear from my female students compliments on my looks. I must say I’m “Hot For Teacher”… with respect to Marina and borrowing from the classic 80s Van Halen tune.

  82. alucard1322 on March 28th, 2008 12:01 am

    ahah the way you said shut up at the end was kinda cool hehehe
    i would say it is …
    hehehe. :twisted:

    theory 1 is more like a person look like some who died.. like you said resemblance

    if one person it has to be theory 2 splitting images is like multiple personality i think…

    theory 3 spit and image if we are really talking about twins as in two persons who look a like

    so i would say its theory 3

  83. bobmcangus on March 27th, 2008 11:55 pm

    Hey what about the word

    ‘heirloom’

    Both the ‘heir’ and the ‘loom’ parts confuse me, and why are they used together?

    Cheers!

  84. zuchinni_one on March 27th, 2008 11:44 pm

    Hey Marina,

    I’ve been a fan of etymology since I was in elementary school. I actually asked one of my first teachers about why words what they were and he didn’t know how to respond. Anyway, I love your channel and I think I have a very good word for you.

    Where does the word “a lot” or just “lot” come from?

    Do the different definitions have anything to do with one another?

    Can you have a lot of lots?

    Or a lot with a lot of little lots of lost lollipops looted from a lot of empty lots? :)

    I’d love to know a lot more than I do now about “lot” and “a lot” … probably a lot of other people would too :)

    -David

    Bob replied on March 27th, 2008 11:48 pm:

    You’ll find a lot of lots on eBay or any other auction, on line or in a dusty old warehouse.

    lividemerald replied on March 29th, 2008 1:37 am:

    What did John F. Kennedy and King Arthur once do in Egypt when they forgot to bring along their ride? . . . Why, they went to the Camel Lot. :roll:

  85. Bob on March 27th, 2008 11:37 pm

    Testing, testing…

    Bob replied on March 27th, 2008 11:41 pm:

    Try again!
    <a href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:SpittingI mage_albumcover.jpg”Marinas evil twin with Ronald Reagan

    Bob replied on March 27th, 2008 11:43 pm:

    & again!
    <a href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Spittin gI mage_albumcover.jpg””Marinas evil twin with Ronald Reagan”

    Bob replied on March 27th, 2008 11:44 pm:

    If at first you don’t succeed, don’t take up sky-diving! :lol:

    HELP

    alx replied on March 28th, 2008 6:46 am:


    <a href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Spittin gImage_albumcover.jpg”>Marinas evil twin with Ronald Reagan</a>

    alx replied on March 28th, 2008 6:48 am:

    code is above. just copy and paste.

    Marinas evil twin with Ronald Reagan

    alx replied on March 28th, 2008 6:51 am:

    *sigh*


    <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:SpittingI mage_albumcover.jpg">Marinas evil twin with Ronald Reagan</a>

    Marinas evil twin with Ronald Reagan

    alx replied on March 28th, 2008 6:54 am:

    yo, marina, lol. delete the obsolete postings of mine. 6:46 and 6:48. thx. and this one. uh huh.

    Bob replied on March 28th, 2008 6:32 pm:

    Many thanks for that, alx.
    That’s what I thought I did at first but I see that I left out the all important “>” in the middle. :oops:

  86. ramzyloveslions on March 27th, 2008 11:28 pm

    may i request the word “tattoo”..

  87. nuovabrezza on March 27th, 2008 11:19 pm

    Giorni Bella, I woud like 2 no the meaning of “Aficionado”-”Virtuoso “-incognito”–not all but which ever one u choose–A Presto, Grazie Mille! Tanti Saluti-Ciao.

  88. anayadog on March 27th, 2008 11:13 pm

    I’m guessing 3

  89. 3215121 on March 27th, 2008 11:09 pm

    i would like to request the 2 words
    a.m. and p.m.
    i don’t know if you already done them

    Bob replied on March 28th, 2008 1:21 am:

    p.m. stands for pulchritudinous Marina, the real one
    a.m. stands for alternative Marina, the hologram, the evil twin & the second life avatar.

    toysjoe replied on March 28th, 2008 5:39 pm:

    ROFL :lol:

  90. paullychu on March 27th, 2008 10:52 pm

    Could you do, “Aloof”?

    Bob replied on March 27th, 2008 11:01 pm:

    ^
    / \
    / \

    Sorry; I’m on holiday in Thailand so I thought you meant a roof. :lol:

    Bob replied on March 27th, 2008 11:04 pm:

    Ho Hum
    So spaces don’t come out well… wtf

    paullychu replied on March 27th, 2008 11:04 pm:

    AH! :lol:
    Would you like one of those? :eek: