Conversations with My Kids: The Word Funeral

The following is a conversation I had with my daughter upon picking her up from school:

MJ: How was your day, baby doll?

CJ: There was a funeral at school.

MJ: W-what?

CJ [smiling slyly]: A word funeral. [giggles]

MJ: A word funeral? Tell me about it.

CJ: Well, it was the fourth graders, and they were having a funeral for words that were used too much. They had to use better words in their place.

I didn’t recall my son doing this in 4th grade. I was intrigued.

MJ: What words did they bury?

CJ: Words like “big” and “fun” and “awesome.”

MJ: Really? And what words would you use instead?

CJ: Um, enormous and fabulous and…sublime.

She smiled because we both knew sublime was one she learned from the word of the day. She remembered! I’m so proud of her. I guess I should resurrect the word of the day posts.

As I was searching for an image to attach to this post, I came across this YouTube video for a Dead Words Funeral. Other schools are eulogizing overused words too. The video is adorable. Watch it if you have time.

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Word of the Day: sublime

¹sub·lime verb \sə-ˈblīm\

sub·limed sub·lim·ing

Definition of SUBLIME

transitive verb

1: to cause to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state and condense back to solid form 2[French sublimer, from Latin sublimare]

a (1): to elevate or exalt especially in dignity or honor (2): to render finer (as in purity or excellence)

b: to convert (something inferior) into something of higher worth

intransitive verb

: to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state

—sub·lim·able\-ˈblī-mə-bəl\ adjective

— sub·lim·er noun

Origin of SUBLIME

Middle English, from Middle French sublimer, from Medieval Latin sublimare to refine, sublime, from Latin, to elevate, from sublimis

First Known Use: 14th century

²sub·lime adjective \sə-ˈblīm\

: very beautiful or good : causing strong feelings of admiration or wonder: complete or extreme

sub·lim·er

sub·lim·est

Full Definition of SUBLIME

1a: lofty, grand, or exalted in thought, expression, or manner

b: of outstanding spiritual, intellectual, or moral worth

c: tending to inspire awe usually because of elevated quality (as of beauty, nobility, or grandeur) or transcendent excellence

2a archaic: high in place

b obsolete: lofty of mien : haughty

c capitalized: supreme—used in a style of address

d: complete, utter<sublime ignorance>

— sub·lime·ly adverb

— sub·lime·ness noun

Origin of SUBLIME

Latin sublimis, literally, high, elevated

First Known Use: circa 1567

Synonyms

amazing, astonishing, astounding, awesome, awful, eye-opening, fabulous, miraculous, portentous, prodigious, staggering, stunning, stupendous, marvelous, surprising, wonderful, wondrous

Antonyms

base, debased, degenerate, degraded, ignoble, low

Related Words

incomprehensible, inconceivable, incredible, unbelievable, unimaginable, unthinkable; extraordinary, phenomenal, rare, sensational, spectacular; singular, uncommon, unique, unusual, unwonted; conspicuous, notable, noticeable, outstanding, remarkable; impressive, smashing, striking; mind-bending, mind-blowing, mind-boggling; animating, energizing, enlightening, enlivening, exciting, galvanizing, invigorating, stimulating; alluring, attracting, attractive, beguiling, bewitching, captivating, charming, enchanting, entertaining, enthralling, fascinating, interesting

Near Antonyms

unimpressive, uninspiring, unremarkable; boring, dull, jading, monotonous, tedious, tiring, uninspired, uninteresting, wearisome, weary, wearying; common, customary, mundane, normal, ordinary, typical, unexceptional, usual; draining, enervating, exhausting, fatiguing, wearing; debilitating, enfeebling; demoralizing, discouraging, disheartening, dispiriting

Definition source: http://www.merriam-webster.com

The Word of the Day started with this post.