Words of the day

word: lynching

Lynching is an extrajudicial execution carried out by a mob, often by hanging, but also by burning at the stake or shooting, in order to punish an alleged transgressor, or to intimidate, control, or otherwise manipulate a population of people. It is related to other means of social control that arise in communities, such as charivari, riding the rail, and tarring and feathering. Lynchings have been more frequent in times of social and economic tension, and have often been the means used by the politically dominant population to oppress.

More on lynching:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynching (wikipedia)

Used in John Grisham's novel, The Chamber. Page 303

word: pedantic [puh-dan-tik]

adjective

1. ostentatious in one's learning
2. overly concerned with minute details of formalisms, especially in teaching.

Example Sentences

Adjective 

• At times, such pedantic details stop the plot cold.
• Not to be pedantic, but there appears to be a unit conversion error here.
• They introduce a visually inert dimension and force a pedantic reference to Asian antiquity.
• While you're technically correct, you're being pedantic
• Not to go all pedantic or anything, but "irregardless" is not a word.
• He talks quickly, with pedantic precision.
• His pleasantly pedantic essays are no longer either novel or informing.
• It's not pedantic, just practical, and I agree with these guidelines.

Used in the movie Midnight in Paris starring Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard and Rachel McAdams.