Two New Words

I can’t tell you why, but I saw the word and it was love at first sight. It’s an elegant word in both look and sound.

There was a little chit-chat tonight off-the-air while the news was on. The “underwear bomber” story had run. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the accused, is from Niger. Our anchor Alison Morris wondered what they call people from Niger since Nigerians seems to be claimed already for Nigeria!

If the Internet is to be believed people from Niger are Nigeriens. The difference is slight. An “e” where there was an “a.”

These are not the two new words I’m writing about.

What interested me was the word for the word that describes a resident of a place: Demonym. I can’t tell you why, but I saw the word and it was love at first sight. It’s an elegant word in both look and sound.

Even better demonym has a synonym: Gentilic. Wow! She’s got an even better looking cousin.

So, here you are. Tonight’s words: demonym and gentilic.

Don’t say I never gave you anything.

2 thoughts on “Two New Words”

  1. Weigh kewl! Thanks for sharing. And yes, I did head to the internet to look them both up. It’s good to start the brain off with a little learning first thing in the morning.

  2. They say a person should learn at least 1 new thing every day. You’ve doubled my quota, and it’s not even lunch time. Cool!

Leave a Reply to Beth Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *