unreasoning Definition: (adjective) Not based on reason or evidence. Synonyms: blind Usage: After the funeral, when he saw her preparing to go away, he was seized with an unreasoning dread of being left alone on the farm; and before he […]

Mildred Gillars, AKA Axis Sally (1900) Mildred Sisk was born in Portland, Maine, but went to Europe in the 1920s, changed her name, and by 1934 was an English-language radio broadcaster in Berlin. During World War II, she broadcast Nazi […]

Live all you can – it’s a mistake not to. It doesn’t so much matter what you do in particular, so long as you have your life. If you haven’t had that, what have you had? Henry James (1843-1916)  

empathize Definition: (verb) Be understanding of. Synonyms: sympathize, understand Usage: Having changed schools several times as a child, I empathize with the transfer students. Discuss.  

Alexander Godunov (1949) Godunov was a Russian ballet dancer and film actor whose defection caused a diplomatic incident between the US and USSR. On August 21, 1979, while on tour with the Bolshoi Ballet in New York City, Godunov requested […]

One must be poor to know the luxury of giving. George Eliot (1819-1880)  

palmistry Definition: (noun) The practice or art of telling fortunes from the lines, marks, and patterns on the palms of the hands. Synonyms: chirology, chiromancy Usage: She dabbled in fortunetelling and palmistry. Discuss.  

Bruce Lee (1940) A cultural icon, Lee was one of the most influential martial artists of the 20th century. Lee, whose father was a leading actor, appeared in Hong Kong films as a child and went on to star in […]

pigeonhole Definition: (verb) Treat or classify according to a mental stereotype. Synonyms: stereotype, stamp Usage: It would be incorrect to pigeonhole her as a children’s author, since many adults also enjoy her books. Discuss.  

René Magritte (1898) Before gaining the support of a Brussels art gallery and taking up painting full-time, Magritte earned a living designing wallpaper and advertisements. His early works were in the Cubist and Futurist styles, but he soon embraced Surrealism. […]

He who blinded by ambition, raises himself to a position whence he cannot mount higher, must thereafter fall with the greatest loss. Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527)  

carryall Definition: (noun) A capacious bag or basket. Synonyms: holdall, tote Usage: She threw her cell phone, wallet, and gym shoes into her carryall and ran out the door. Discuss.  

Selma Lagerlöf (1858) Lagerlöf was a Swedish author who is best known for her children’s book, The Wonderful Adventures of Nils. While working as a teacher, Lagerlöf got her big break as a writer when chapters of her first novel, […]

Truth indeed rather alleviates than hurts, and will always bear up against falsehood, as oil does above water. Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616)