Netscapades

by brenton crozier

I’ll come clean with you, I am smitten with words. That doesn’t make me smart, although people seriously begin to think you’re a genius if you occasionally drop terms like “juxtapose” or “supercilious” into conversation. I’m willing to bet that the very first websites you peruse upon firing up your PC have to do with news, probably celebrity news for an unfortunately large segment of you, or something that falls loosely into a classification of essential information.
For me, Merriam-Webster is my lead off hitter and gets my first visit of the day. Although I could sign myself up for an e-mail that would deliver their word of the day, there is something to the ritual of opening the site and spotting the newest member of my ever-expanding vocabulary. Words are compelling and occasionally empowering. You can’t go wrong with adding the following word-centric websites to your list of favorites.
www.myfavoriteword.com
Ah, a collective of nerds that like words so much that they share their absolute favorites! With a slogan of “Your Word, in Your Words,” what’s not to love? All are welcome to post and users rate your selection and description.
www.worldwidewords.org
Curious about the British viewpoint of international English? Author Michael Quinion writes decidedly smug and humorous articles in that dry manner that is so very British. Experience the ultimate in pretentiousness and have a good snicker as you read about the idiom “bold as brass.” My particular favorites are the article where he explains the “American slang” term “chillaxing.” Learn the origins of a long litany of words and expressions for yourself by paying a regular visit to World Wide Words. Oh man, I just found an article about the term “globesity.” That may edge out “chillaxing.”
www.merriam-webster.com
Merriam Webster’s is a virtual playground for world appreciators of all stripes. As mentioned previously, this is the first site I visit every morning as I hastily click in to see the word of the day. On this particular day, “maudlin” is the word and is actually quite wonderful. It means, drunk enough to be emotionally silly or weakly and effusively sentimental. In other words, this is an absolutely wonderful addition to your arsenal of insults. “Will you stop being so maudlin, you sound like a Hallmark card.”
The Word Game is usually a good bit of fun, while the crossword is a daily staple. I went go-go bananas upon seeing the “new fix for SCRABBLE freaks,” SCRABBLE Sprint. And holy cow, it is amazing and will impair your productivity exponentially.
www.dictionary.com
Yes, another obvious site, but so comprehensive and useful. It’s sister site, Thesaurus.com is also quite nice in a pinch when the old Shift + F7 doesn’t cut it. Additionally, if you already know or aren’t satisfied with Merriam Webster’s word of the day, Dictionary.com has their own. And that my friends, should be prolix because I am already way over my word count.