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Big Words

Hey guys… with college back in swing…. I wanted to let you all know about this website BigWords.com that scours the net for the lowest prices on books.. whether from major retailers, small retailers, it finds promotions..  even used books.  With the high cost of college books it saves on average $173 on two university books!

Check it out. :-)

Posted by Marina on August 20, 2008 · Filed under Lessons, News  

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251 Comments and 41 threads on “Big Words”

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  1. leonard says:
    74
    February 21, 2009 at 12:51 am

    here is a clean word request for your school..[Immaculate] or [fliting] Do you want a flite? Bees R. Goede :roll: ber.lin

    • leonard says:
      74.1
      February 21, 2009 at 12:57 am

      Quote
      “Women might be able to fake orgasms. But men can fake a whole relationship.” – Sharon Stone ***** scarey too, floggings were once an in thing for [orgasms] peace for the soul and too with brains—curt and blunt

  2. hs4mm says:
    73
    January 4, 2009 at 11:42 am

    .
    At one time, I had to walk by a bookstore almost daily. I would go in to browse and invariably ended up buying a book. After a month or so of this, I found that I have several expensive books on my bookshelf, but it was unlikely that I would have the time to study them. I then made a decision: if I found a book to be interesting, I would first borrow it from the library; if I actually studied the borrowed book and found it worthwhile to keep, only then would I buy the book. I adhere to that decision. Almost all the books I now have were purchased by this method.

    –Hs4Mm
    .

  3. hs4mm says:
    72
    January 3, 2009 at 9:35 pm

    .
    Hello Marina,

    Do you use the paper or electronic version of the OED? And which version — unabridged?

    –Hs4Mm
    .

  4. charlieinau08 says:
    71
    November 9, 2008 at 10:37 am

    I can’t say why but there is something just plain hot about how you lay out those big words. Hotforprofits comes close but she doesn’t have your inherent Russian cuteness.

  5. elcubano says:
    70
    September 14, 2008 at 1:01 pm

    Hello Marina it’s el cubano, it’s spanish but I also speak english don’t worry I’m bilingual. I’ve seen your videos as you describe the origins of words and what they mean. I hope to learn alot from you. Take care. peace.

  6. taras says:
    69
    August 23, 2008 at 2:02 pm

    Hi Marina,
    How are you ?
    Congratulations on your 100 million views !

    My word(s) definition is that of : ‘Goose Bumps’ !
    How is that this expression became the description for that ‘feeling’ ; in any situation !

    Thanks ,
    ‘Ukraininoak ‘ (aka Taras )

    P.S. : Please use my ‘ekename’ when and if I am selected ? ! ?

  8. sparkyinseattle says:
    67
    August 22, 2008 at 9:30 am

    Phrase origin request:

    “At loggerheads”

    Word,

    Sparkz

  9. davecodave says:
    66
    August 22, 2008 at 8:09 am

    Marina !! It’s hard to tell from the camera angle, but it looked like your cute little dggie left a gift on the carpet in the doorway. SAY IT ISN”T SO !!. :razz:
    However, thanks for the tip on books.

  10. CaptainJack says:
    65
    August 22, 2008 at 12:56 am

    Oh now you tell us your secret website for saving money on books now that I almost have all I needed. Well at least I didn’t pay full price for the books I bought. It helps to be a former employee at a nautical book store. I use abebooks.com for books that are not in print anymore. I did a couple of quick searches with Bigwords and found it useful. Only draw back was not able to search for first editions. Other than that it was great. I was even able to find Boat Parts. heheheeh. :mrgreen:

  11. shane says:
    64
    August 21, 2008 at 11:38 pm

    I’m curious why we say ’shhhh’ to ask someone to be quiet.

    I’m guessing that shhhhh comes from ’shush’, but that’s a complete guess. Totally talking out of my ass there. (hmmm, another weird expression. :)

    Anyway, regardless if it comes from shush or not, where did it start?

    • pennsyltucky9 says:
      64.1
      August 22, 2008 at 3:53 pm

      Well,Shane I have to admit your enunciation seemed a tad garbled there, butt now I understand why. :roll:

      It occurs to me that the sound, “Shh” doesn’t require the vocal chords to be used at all. It’s all just breath and tongue control. Therefore, it can be made using only the exact amount of force needed to get the message across; if you are close to the ear of the person to whom you’re communicating, it can be done almost silently so nobody else hears it.

      Coversely, this sound can carry quite a distance when done with a lot of force as anyone who’s ever been inconvenienced by people chatting loudly in a movie theatre knows. You can get people to shut up using this sound even if you’re clear at the opposite end of the room. And since it doesn’t use the vocal chords at all, no age or gender identity is inadvertently transmitted. So the thing I see as being the most utilitarian aspect of this vocalization is its adjustability from loud to soft.

      Secondly, it can be made for as long or short a time interval as is required, as long as there is still some breath left in the lungs for exhalation. This may help add to the calming effect on, for example, a crying baby. The baby may get temporarily distracted from its discomfort (after all, that’s why babies cry–they feel discomfort) by hearing the soothing sound of its mother softly saying, “Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh” while she prepares the bottle, get a fresh diaper ready, or what-have-you.

      As for the origin, I have a sneaking suspicion it’s been around as long as there have been babies and mommies, or basically longer than any other sound we make, but I’m wildly speculating as usual there.

      Marina should definitely investigate. Excellent word request, Shane but if I may make a suggestion, the next time you talk out your ass, try to do something about your ‘breath’ first. Seriously! :lol:

  12. school_dean_hot4.u says:
    63
    August 21, 2008 at 5:56 pm

    sub-par lessons, thats ok if your playing golf

  14. sniperskaya says:
    61
    August 21, 2008 at 2:31 pm

    Marina, I’m assuming from what you said that your brother is here with you? Is your family in America now? How do schools in America differ from schools in Russia? Are there some things here that you like better than back in Russia, or vice a versa? It would be interesting to know your thoughts on the differences in the educational styles of both countries. Thanks.

  15. rocker_scott says:
    60
    August 21, 2008 at 1:26 pm

    impossible- would be nice to know where that word came from and its origins. As i have heard it alot in sports events.

    Thank you :mrgreen:

  17. blueicediver says:
    58
    August 21, 2008 at 1:16 pm

    There is an expression which may be local to our area, but I would like to know where it came from. You will hear people say “there is more than 1 way to skin a cat”. This means that there is more than one way to solve a problem, but why skin a cat?

  18. wisden18 says:
    57
    August 21, 2008 at 12:50 pm

    Hi Marina,

    Phrase I heard last night, and have no idea of its origin, “Tits in the wringer”; be interested to know your thoughts on it.

  19. misscupcake says:
    56
    August 21, 2008 at 12:45 pm

    :shock: someone below asked for the word ‘ostracism’ to be analysed. oh my god! thats a good one!
    because its like ostrich but they are so different in meaning/definition.

    i like to ostracise myself. but not with an ostrich.

    he he he he he….. wow misscupcake, 5 40 am and on the hfw site again
    GO TO WORK!
    :grin:

  20. huniken says:
    55
    August 21, 2008 at 12:42 pm

    Hello Marina-chan :D

    I have a word request, please tell me from where the word “Boost” originated from? I ask this because it is something that got to do with our Turbo charged cars.

    Thank you.

    Huniken.

  21. James says:
    54
    August 21, 2008 at 11:55 am

    I guess I will be thrown off this forum now :cry:

    I am sorry Marina

    I got an E for English and an E for English literature

    Teacher will not be happy.. I can tell I am about to be expelled from the sanctum of syntax.

    • Cashy says:
      54.1
      August 21, 2008 at 1:03 pm

      That sucks alright but it’s not the end of the world…

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVt1AldH3_k

      “What matters is to turn one’s predicament into a human achievement.”

    • mijj says:
      54.2
      August 21, 2008 at 1:48 pm

      Both “English” and “English literature” start with an “E” .. so what’s the problem?

    • aLx says:
      54.3
      August 21, 2008 at 1:54 pm

      syntax doesn’t have anything to do with literature anyway.

    • Capman911 says:
      54.4
      August 21, 2008 at 3:09 pm

      No most of us are pissed here too. :mad: You need to study more and lay off the keyboard some. :smile: You’ll have plenty of time to visit here, but and education comes first. I know you are young, but you really need to think about your future. What you want to do or be the rest of your life. I know it seems like it’s to early now to think about it, but make a difference now instead of waiting further down the road. Ask Buzzword and Alx what it means to further your education. Look how a higher education has benefited them and others. You can’t do it with bad grades. So for your, ours and your family’s sake please try harder at school. I know I am not your daddy and I not chewing your ass out, but you are one of the family here so please try and do better. :wink:

      Mike

  22. khurramz says:
    53
    August 21, 2008 at 11:43 am

    Hi Marina, I’m new to your website and suffice it to say, your doing an excellent job. Besides your really hot to watch :grin:
    But my REAL motive to write here is the word, “floccinaucinihilipilification”. I’ve watched your previous video on that too, and no one has seemed to notice the fact that you pronounced it like this: “flocci – nauci – nifili – pilification”, yes the “nihili” bit was pronounced with an “F” instead of an “H”. So it seems like you owe us all a correction to that video. Plus can I be your pet in the next video? My friends at work would all burn with envy. Thanks and keep up the good work.

  23. wyo550 says:
    52
    August 21, 2008 at 10:53 am

    I’m sorry, but since Hot For Words is now running for President, the spokesmodel Marina will have to use SMALL words!
    http://www.thelopezfamilyonline.com/pres.php?first=HotForWords&last=&send=Send

  24. wetsuit5 says:
    51
    August 21, 2008 at 10:41 am

    The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (in 2 volumns) does not look like light reading. :wink:
    I can see how you stay in such good shape carrying around all those books. :grin:
    You must have confused the boys at school. :oops:
    Find the cutest girl and ask to carry her books home from school. :idea:
    Ah, we might have some second thoughts here. :eek: :lol: :lol:

  25. semajmaharg says:
    50
    August 21, 2008 at 9:53 am

    Dear Marina,

    Having just read this article (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1047598/Housewife-wins-battle-publisher-remove-swear-word-book-best-selling-childrens-author.html), I was wondering if you would look into the meanings of the words “twat” and “twit”. The lady in the article thinks that the former is rude while the latter is fine, but I’m not so sure about their origins…

  26. ezdofhawaii says:
    49
    August 21, 2008 at 9:41 am

    Hello Marina, Im going to school for Nursing, and books sometimes go over a $1000 a semester! I think the total will be alot less this semester with your tip. BIgwords looks like a great website, I have been looking for something like like for years. Thanks for caring enough about enough about your students to give them such good adivice and daily lessons. My University just tells us go to the bookstore which has outrageous prices. Thanks again Marina.

  27. mijj says:
    48
    August 21, 2008 at 9:34 am

    made up word of the day …

    foolosopher

  28. prezleefun says:
    47
    August 21, 2008 at 8:44 am

    Marina I dont know if you have seen this commerical but there is a commerical for laundry detergent and the british lady says she is getting rid of the ‘dingies’ and she goes onto to say that dingy comes from the latin dingeta.

    I dont buy that at all. What is the origin for the word dingy?

  29. kelley13f says:
    46
    August 21, 2008 at 8:08 am

    Hey Marina I love your site its soooo fun. I was wondering if you could figure out what “Kiddy Corner or Kitty Corner” means when people give directions to a place. Thanks and keep it up :D

    -CHRiS

  30. gelyon says:
    45
    August 21, 2008 at 7:58 am

    Don’t want to bother but surprisingly the price of my bigwords testbook was 20$ more expensive than I actually paid in the bookstore.
    Maybe it is because this book is a german book and I’m living in Germany and bigwords only searches US websites or so.

  31. geminate says:
    44
    August 21, 2008 at 7:42 am

    Word requests:
    Chip N Dales – referring to male dancers
    Bootleg – referring to an illegal copy of things like CDs, Videos, etc

  32. cufan71 says:
    43
    August 21, 2008 at 6:54 am

    clone and mutation Are they new words? :cool:

  33. mijj says:
    42
    August 21, 2008 at 6:45 am

    Marina – DOLLAR

    … one of the most desirable words in the world.

    Can (could?) we have the who, what, why, and when of this particular word, please?

  34. nubie says:
    41
    August 21, 2008 at 6:28 am

    Request: “Pleonasm” :smile:
    Like in the sense how many nice words complementing a beautiful girl is too much… :wink:

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