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English Teacher's Helpful Hints

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tutorheatherSuper Member!

United States

February 22, 2012
Viewed 273 times.

Hi all,

I compiled a short list of interesting facts about the English language.

I am also hoping to pose a challenge every day for people who like such things.

Here we go:

1. No word in the English language rhymes perfectly with “month.” Some words sound  similar such as blunt, once, hunts, etc., but there is no perfect rhyme.

Also, no words in the English language rhyme with orange, silver or purple.

That’s bad news for poets who enjoy making perfect rhyme schemes!

2. The word “set” has more definitions than any other word in the English language.

How many can you think of?

3. There are only four words in the English language which end in"-dous":    tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous.

4. The longest word in the English language, according to the Oxford English  Dictionary, is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.

WOW! It’s a medical term that has to do with the lungs. Any words that starts with

the prefix “pneu” (sounds like new) is lung-related — like pneumonia ( I have had pneumonia several times; it’s horrible!)

Today’s Challenge:

Let’s look at the word “unkempt.”

Unkempt is an adjective that means “untidy or disheveled due to neglect.”

Synonyms include disorderly, messy, slovenly or even topsy-turvy.

Examples:

The homeless man’s clothes were old and unkempt because he was unable to launder his clothing or bathe.

The cemetary plot is unkempt; it is covered with dirt and weeds because no one had visited the gravesite for decades.

My son’s hair always looks unkempt. I don’t think he ever uses a comb or brush!

The challenge is:

Compare the word unkempt with unkept. Do they mean the same thing? Give examples of each.

Be blessed, everyone :) And thank you for letting me be a part of this community.

Heather

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View all entries from English Teacher's Helpful Hints >

03:31 AM Feb 24 2012

mnal_F

mnal_F
Syrian Arab Republic

Dear Heather I'd be honored to join your community and read all your posts I love English langauge and I'd like to keep learning thank you .

12:42 PM Feb 23 2012

Buttafly

Buttafly
Germany

Dear tutorheather

I find your post very interesting and informative. My eyes are completely glued to every word you write. One fact on this post made me think of an interview with Eminem on 60 minutes. It was quite fascinating to watch and listen how he disproved the assertion that no word rhymes with orange. To quote him: "It kinda pisses me off when people say no words rhyme with orange..cuz I can think of a lot of things that rhyme with orange" ..and without hesitation he started to rhyme by enunciating "orange" a little differently..creating an amusing rhyme around the given word .

Eminem claims that it is all about the enunciation and his word-bending method. He sure is a genius in breaking down words. I guess he has a special gift of internal rhymes and an immense wordplay proficiency. Of course the enunciation wouldn't work with poetry writers. Just a fascinating fact I liked to share.

12:46 AM Feb 23 2012

englishteacher24/7
United States

Good information Tutorheather and welcome!

I recommend my students to read and respond to your posts, we can all learn from you! :)

12:18 PM Feb 22 2012

Chalmi

ChalmiSuper Member!
Poland

Great blog! I am waiting for more :-) . Greetings.

08:14 AM Feb 22 2012

snoopyboy

snoopyboy
Antarctica

When I look up the words on the internet I found the following definitions:

Unkept : ( of a commitment or undertaking) not honored, not fulfilled ; also not tidy or cared for.

Unkempt : having an untidy or disheveled appearance.

I’m tempted to say they both have the same meaning, but I’m not sure they can be used interchangeably in every context.

I think unkempt is used for things that can be seen, like messy hair, beds, etc. The key word in its definition is “appearance”

My example: “a lot of actors sport unkempt facial hair for movie roles”

Whereas unkept, is commonly used for things that are not always tangible or visible, like promises, appointment, commitment, secrets?

My example : “ an unkept secret usually the result of a deceitful friend” : )

Thanks for posting,