All articles tagged with #vocabulary
New research shows there is no single cognitive peak. Processing speed often maxes out in youth, social and emotional interpretation tends to sharpen in middle age, and vocabulary continues to grow into the late 60s/70s, painting a picture of a rotating mind with overlapping cognitive timelines rather than a uniform decline.
A large, cross‑validated study of 48,537 web participants—supplemented by Wechsler data—finds there is no single cognitive peak. Six abilities peak at different ages: processing speed around 18–19; short-term (working) memory around 25; face recognition around 32; concentration/executive function around 43; emotional understanding around 48; and vocabulary (crystallized intelligence) around 67. These trajectories reflect different brain systems and life experiences, challenging the old single-peak model and suggesting that many cognitive strengths continue to develop into mid-to-late life. However, the study is cross-sectional and has sampling caveats.} ,
Columbia University graduate Gary Cohen peppered a Mets call with the SAT word pulchritudinous to describe Carson Benge’s impressive ninth-inning catch, prompting applause from co-host Todd Zeile and a playful look at word-challenge moments in broadcasts.
The article examines why vintage words like “yap” and “skedaddle” are resurging in today’s talk, arguing that old terms are primed by media and memories and then spread through social networks led by influential youth. This “team sport” of language change means terms rise when a core group adopts them, diffuse through broader networks, and eventually fade, with some retro words enduring longer than others.
The Learning Network defines puerile as an adjective meaning childish or immature, provides pronunciation (via Vocabulary.com), and offers usage context including a reference from a Ne Zha II review. It also invites readers to craft sentences using the word and to explore related vocabulary activities.
The article promotes a daily vocabulary quiz hosted by Slate, encouraging readers to test their wits, compare scores, and compete with friends, with no specific mention of winklepickers or related body parts.
The article explains the meaning of 'solipsism,' a philosophical concept that suggests only one's own mind is sure to exist, and highlights its usage in recent NYTimes articles, encouraging readers to use the word creatively in sentences.
The New York Times' Spelling Bee forum provides hints and discussions for the January 6, 2024 puzzle. The puzzle features a grid with the center letter 'r' and surrounding letters 'b', 'c', 'i', 'o', 'p', and 't'. There are 39 words to find, totaling 147 points, including one pangram. The forum also includes a glossary for common terms used in Spelling Bee discussions, assisting players who might feel stuck on today's challenge.
Lake Superior State University has released its 2024 Banished Words List, a tradition that targets overused, misused, or meaningless words and phrases. This year's list includes terms like "pivot," "hack," "impact," "at the end of the day," "rizz," "slay," "iconic," "cringe-worthy," "obsessed," "side hustle," and "wait for it." The list, which began in 1975, is meant to encourage reflection on language use and provide a humorous take on the evolving English lexicon.
As we age, our ability to retrieve words may slow down, but it doesn't necessarily indicate Alzheimer's. Tips to combat this include going through the alphabet, using word games, and incorporating less frequently used words in daily conversation. In terms of sex life in long-married couples in their 40s/50s, it varies, with some having sex once or twice a week, others two or three times a month, and some in a "sexless" marriage. Ultimately, what is satisfying for both partners defines a normal sex life.
The Oxford Word of the Year for 2023 is "rizz," derived from "charisma," and refers to a person's ability to attract a romantic partner through style, charm, or attractiveness. The word gained popularity after Spider-Man actor Tom Holland mentioned it in an interview. The other finalists for the word of the year were "prompt," "situationship," and "Swiftie."
Former Attorney General Bill Barr criticized Donald Trump's limited verbal skills, mocking his repetitive use of the word "very." Barr stated that Trump's adjectives are unfamiliar to him and often spill out uncontrollably, making him undisciplined in his speech. Barr also referred to Trump as a "very petty man" and suggested that he is running for president again out of retribution.
Slate has introduced a daily quiz where participants can test their knowledge and compare their scores with others. Today's topic is vocabulary, and players can compete to see who is the brainiest.
The Spelling Bee puzzle for Wednesday, June 7, 2023, has been released, with a total of 66 words and two pangrams. The center letter is "m," and the highest-scoring word is worth 11 points. A glossary of Spelling Bee terms is available for those who need it, and readers can check out Deb Amlen's weekly column for more Spelling Bee conversation.
Dev Shah, an eighth-grader from Florida, won the Scripps National Spelling Bee and $50,000 after correctly spelling "psammophile," a plant or animal that prefers or thrives in sandy areas. He outlasted 228 other competitors, including 10 finalists, and studied 10 hours each day for the past year. The competition has become more difficult in the last two years, as its organizers have added new rules to challenge the spellers and to avoid a repeat of 2019, which ended with an eight-way tie after four hours that exhausted the bee’s list of challenging words.