14.3 Prima Ballerina

When and Where did I Find this Word:  I heard this word today with my boyfriends mother who during the Nutcracker by the RPO kept commenting on how beautiful the prima ballerina was. I have heard the term many times but had always just assumed that I knew the meaning of the word. I decided to look up the word to see if I knew the exact meaning.

What does the word mean: According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (2010) the term prima ballerina is a noun and is the lead ballerina in a ballet company. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prima+ballerina?show=0&t=1290992359

My familiarity with the word: I thought that the prima ballerina was the head or lead dancer, but after seeing the Nutcracker today and the many lead dancers, I was confused if I had a correct understanding of the term. The picture illustrates one of the many prima ballerinas who are casted in the Nutcracker. The Nutcracker travels through many lands with different ballerinas as the main focus of each dance.

Do I Believe this is a Word that I should Know Well: As a dancer in a dance company, I do think that I should know the term prima ballerina well. Although I am not a ballerina, it will still help me understand other dance companies and dancers roles better.

Do You Believe this is a Word You Want Others to Know Well: No, If you are not interested in ballet or do not plan on seeing ballets, I do not think that you would need to know this word well. It is more of a specialized term that people who enjoy the fine arts would probably know.

14.2 Flash Mob

When and Where did I Find this Word:  Today I searched in my browser for "new words 2009" and I clicked on the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. I searched through the list of words and was struck by the term "flash mob." Yesterday I was just watching flash mobs on Youtube.com. I was surprised to see that this word was a newly added word to the dictionary. As a dancer, I was so happy to see this word in the dictionary! :-)

What does the word mean: According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (2010), a flash mob is a noun and "a group of people summoned (as by e-mail or text message) to a designated location at a specified time to perform an indicated action before dispersing." http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flash+mob?show=0&t=1290796921

My familiarity with the word: I first came across the term flash mob when one of my facebook friends posted a link to a flash mob at Ohio State on Facebook. I watched the video link and was pleasantly surprised to see that it was a group of people dancing. I selected this term because yesterday I watched a flash mob of 50 people freezing in a grocery store for 5 minutes. I wanted to learn more about the specifics of a flash mob and now know that it is an indicated action and can be much more than just dancing.

Do I Believe this is a Word that I should Know Well: Yes,  I should know this well because I would love to create my own flash mob with the dance company that I dance in!

Do You Believe this is a Word You Want Others to Know Well: Yes, often times random people are caught off guard by flash mobs that start out of no where. I think that this flash mob trend is growing more popular because of internet video sharing websites and I think we will be seeing a lot more of them in the future. Many of these videos have become internet sensations. For a more detailed look at a flash mob, please see the link I have attached. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQLCZOG202k

14.1 Bullycide

When and Where did I Find this Word:  Today I have not experienced any exciting new words because I have been searching for bargains online. In search of an interesting word, I typed "new words to dictionary 2010" into my browser. I clicked on the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary and found a list of  entrants for a newly added words contest for 2010. A few words caught my interest such as the word bullyside.  

What does the word mean: The term bullyside is a noun and according to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (2010), the term means "suicide by a victim of bullying." http://www3.merriam-webster.com/opendictionary/newword_display_recent.php

My familiarity with the word: In the bast I have heard of cyber bullying, but the word bullyside is completely new to me. I have heard in the media recently of many young people who have committed suicide because of cruel acts of cyper bullying.

Do I Believe this is a Word that I should Know Well: Yes, as an educator I should be aware of bullyside. Many of my students come to school frustrated or tell me of events that happen outside of school. Students often turn to teachers for help or advice. Teachers and school personnel should be aware of bullyside and how constant threats and torment can be completely devastating and hurt students to the point where they are willing to hurt themselves or others. The picture above shows an example of cyber bullying.

Do You Believe this is a Word You Want Others to Know Well: Yes, as more people turn to electronic media to communicate, we have seen an increase in the amount of bullying that takes place online. Parents, school personnel, and even children should be made aware of cyber bullying and bullyside to try to prevent such cruel acts from occuring.

13.3 Bamboozle

When and Where did I Find this Word:  While surfing on Dictionary.com, I came across the word of the day section. The word posted for today did not interest me, however Sunday's word, bamboozle caught my interest because it just sounded amusing and fun to say.  

What does the word mean: According to Dictionary.com (2010) (where I found the word), bamboozle is a very that means "to deceive or get the best of someone" or to trick or mystify someone. http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/archive/2010/11/21.html

My familiarity with the word: I have heard the word bamboozle used on TV shows, but I was not quiet sure of the meaning. Once I found out the meaning, I do think that the meaning matches well with the obscurity of the word. I bamboozled my brother on April fool's day. The word just seems to fit very well with the idea of pranking or tricking someone.

Do I Believe this is a Word that I should Know Well: Yes, I think I should know this word well because I like to play practical jokes with my family. Now I can tell my family that I bamboozled them when we play jokes on each other. I have attached a picture of fools gold, which as bamboozled many who thought they found the real thing, gold!

Do You Believe this is a Word You Want Others to Know Well: Yes, I think this is a fun word that others should now because people often play jokes on each other or are deceived by what we see. This would be a great word for others to use when they watch a magic show or play an April fools joke.

13.2 Escrow

When and Where did I Find this Word:  I met with my mortgage consultant last week and we talked about approving my mortgage.  He used a whole bunch of words in our conversation that I have heard other people use, but I was not quiet sure of the meaning. One of the words he discussed with me was escrow.  

 

What does the word mean: According to Dictionary.com (2010), an escrow is an agreement or contract by a third party that guarantees a fulfillment of a condition or payment. In my case, my escrow was an agreement to pay for my mortgage loan and the interest from the loan. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/escrow

My familiarity with the word:  I have heard my parents and aunts and uncles use the word escrow before in regards to purchasing homes. However, I associated the word escrow with home purchasing, but I had no idea what the actual meaning of the word was. It was a good thing I had family members with me who could explain these new real estate vocabulary words to me as I signed important paperwork.

 

Do I Believe this is a Word that I should Know Well:  Yes, as a first time home buyer, I should be familiar with important words that are associated with the home buying process. The term escrow showed up on many of the paperwork forms that I needed to sign to be approved for a loan. Before signing paperwork of such importance, I think I should know the full meaning of words that I will be legally bound to.

 

Do You Believe this is a Word You Want Others to Know Well: Yes, I do believe that others should know that an escrow is basically a contract that you agree to. Although not everyone may purchase a house, an escrow can be a term that commits a person to a payment or contract of some sort. The picture I have inserted represents signing a contract and agreeing to fulfill that agreement.

13.1 Woad

When and Where did I Find this Word: Staying in the Thanksgiving spirit I decided to search for vocabulary terms that Colonial Americans would have used. I am currently teaching about Colonial America and my next lesson is about life in the colonies. I did an internet search for life in the colonies vocabulary. Several terms came up on a website and I found the word "woad" to be the most interesting so I selected it as my word. http://eev.liu.edu/kk/colonial/VOCABULARY%20WORDS%20FOR%20COLONIAL%20AMERICA.pdf 

 

What does the word mean: The word woad was under the category of colonial clothing. According to Dictionary.com, a woad is a European plant that blue dye is extracted from its leaves. Now for a brief history lesson; early colonists grew this plant so they could dye clothing. The picture below is of a woad plant. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/woad

My familiarity with the word: I had never heard the word woad prior to my search for terms having to do with colonial life. I think that this is an interesting word because I had always thought Indigo was used to make blue dye, but it is interesting to know that colonists used other dyes as well.

 

Do I Believe this is a Word that I should Know Well: As a social studies teacher who will be leading a colonial day celebration with the whole school, I feel that I should know this word fairly well to be able to describe how people dressed during the Colonial Era and how they made clothing.

 

Do You Believe this is a Word You Want Others to Know Well: I do not think my own students will need to specifically know the word woad to understand key concepts about colonial life. I think it is a fun term for teachers and colonial historians to know. The average person will probably not need to know this word to understand how colonial people dressed.

12.2 Fowl

When and Where did I Find this Word: While I was at a professional development session at my school this past week on the topic of Thanksgiving, I was introduced to the word fowl. At first I was confused because I always thought this word was used to describe a disgusting spell or sight, however, I found a word I have heard with a meaning that I have not. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I decided to learn more about fowl.

What does the word mean: From the presentation, I came to the understanding that a fowl was a type of bird. However, I wanted to make sure this was correct so I double checked with the trusty Dictionary.com. According to Dictionary.com, fowl is a noun and consists of "birds that are barnyard,  domesticated, or wild, as the duck, turkey, or pheasant." Now on Thanksgiving, you can say you are eating a fowl. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fowl

My familiarity with the word: I have never heard the term fowl used to describe "birds" prior to the presentation I attended on Thanksgiving. It does make sense that the turkey, chicken, and pheasant would all be categorized together and the term fowl does just that. My picture is of a Turkey or fowl being pardoned by George W. Bush.

Do I Believe this is a Word that I should Know Well: Yes, as a teacher who will teach about "what really happened" on the first Thanksgiving, I will need to know and be able to explain what a fowl is and that turkey fowl was not originally apart of the "first" thanksgiving with the Pilgrims as so many people believe.

Do You Believe this is a Word You Want Others to Know Well: Yes, whether reading dinner menus, grocery shopping, or even teaching about Thanksgiving, the term fowl can be used almost on a regular basis and thus, others should know it well.

12.1 Phlebotomy

When and Where did I Find this Word: I first came into contact with this word today while reading a friends Facebook post that said, "I hate phlebotomy." I posted back that that sounded interesting but wish I knew what it meant. Other friends questioned if this meant taking someones blood.

What does the word mean: I decided to look the word up in the dictionary so that I could find the precise meaning  of phlebotomy. According to Dictionary.com, the term phlebotomy is a noun which means "the act of opening a vein for letting blood as a therapeutic measure."http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Phlebotomy

My familiarity with the word: Prior to my Facebook perusing, I had never heard this term used before as it is not in my current schema. My friend works in a hospital and this word would be one that she would have to know for her profession.

Do I Believe this is a Word that I should Know Well: As a social studies teacher, I probably will probably never need to know anything about taking someones blood. I do not think that I should have to know such a specific word for taking blood, however, I should be familiar with the concept of opening a vein to extract blood.

Do You Believe this is a Word You Want Others to Know Well: Well, I would really hope that anyone in the medical field such as my own doctors would be familiar with such a medical technical term such as phlebotomy. However, I do not think that the average person will need to know this term "well" because hopefully most people do not have to go through the blood letting process.