Tuesday, February 2, 2010

How to Increase Your Vernacular Vocabulary

If you would like to receive props for your language prowess and you don't want to sound hinky when talking with others, a good way to start increasing your vocabulary is by watching television.

I just heard the word props for the first time while watching the Winter X-Games and the word hinky while watching the props-worthy show Bones.
The definitions are from Merriam-Webster.com

props:
Etymology: short for proper dues
Date: 1992
1 slang : due "takes pains to give the man his props" — Dan Epstein
2 slang : respect "teachers have to earn their props just like everybody else" — Greg Donaldson 3 slang : credit "at least deserves props for writing a song about something that rings true" — Jim Abbott

hinky:
Etymology: alteration of argot hincty suspicious
Date: 1956
1 slang : nervous, jittery
2 slang : suspicious


2 comments:

Dylan from Irvine, CA said...

Hi, the word is "props," not "prop." Merriam-Webster.com says it's "noun plural but usually singular in construction," and "short for proper dues." So you were "watching the props-worthy show Bones." =)

Laura Payne said...

Right you are Dylan. I am just not very hip in my old age. Thank you.

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