Two extremes but a possible truth

When a statement or a proposition swings between two ends of the spectrum - it brings out an emotion or response that's not just of surprise but even absurdity. The expression used for such a statement or situation

is 'paradox' and that's our word of the week. The statement may seem contradictory but may express a possible truth. The expression, paradox, extends itself to a person, thing, or even situation that may seem contradictory. 

The case in point is our cricketer - Ravindra Jadeja. While the world adores the all-round skills of this talented cricketer, the Indian selectors find him a surplus. The headline of Indian Express sums it up wonderfully: The Jadeja paradox.

https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/the-ravindra-jadeja-paradox5409861/

#IndianExpress #RavindraJadeja #jadeja #cricket #paradox

Appropriated...without consent

How often have you been caught or teased for not wearing clothes that are 'appropriate' to an occasion or appropriate clothing for a place such as a place of worship or a formal meeting.   The word 'appropriate' means 'fitting or suitable for a specific task, purpose, purpose or occasion'. 
Now in its past tense form (appropriated) - the expression has slightly different connotations. A popular one is about setting apart or authorizing for some particular purpose (as in: The treasurer appropriated funds for the development of the community park). One usage that finds regular mention in news now-a-days is 'to take without permission or consent' (The official appropriated the funds for his personal use). 
Our word of this week is 'appropriated' - it's a Double-clue variety for Smart-Vocab Challenger followers (word having two diverse meanings depending on the usage).

Teacher by more names!

Beginning today, with just about a week to go for Teachers' Day celebrations - we will come up with words that describe these wonderful souls who impact our lives for good, and irrevocably so. 
We begin with this word - Pedagogue. Well, pedagogue is just another word for an instructor or a dogmatic teacher. Pronounced as 'ped -uh-gawg' it has its origins in Greek (paidagogos) and Latin (paedagogus). One can use it in sentences such as: I was so delighted to meet up with my favourite English pedagogue at the mall today. 

Discord and lack of harmony

India lost in the ICC Champions Trophy and before a detailed analysis could be done on the factors leading to the defeat came the revelations of a discord between the Indian cricket captain and the coach. The discord reached to such levels that the coach, Anil Kumble, had to give up being a coach and move on. 

Discord is our Word-of-the-week. And it is a typical 'double-clue' variety for the Smart-Vocab Challenger followers. While in the context above 'discord' refers to a lack of agreement or harmony between two sides - 'discord' also reflects harsh confused mingling of sound.

Monsoons, don't play truant!

There are instances when a word or an expression is borrowed from its popular usage and used for a situation that's completely unrelated to its conventional usage. And this often makes the new expression intriguing and the language richer. 

Conventionally the word 'truant' is used to describe a person, often a student, who is absent without leave. We had a newspaper headline this week that screamed: Farmers still upset at monsoon playing truant last year. 

Truant is our Word-this-Week.

Hope the monsoons don't play truant this year!

To Woo X

Government of the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is all set to woo Google to bring in the project X - previously known as Google X, to its shores. The Andhra Pradesh CM indicated this after visiting Google's X facility in United States. X is known for Google's driver-less cars, glasses project and the use of stratosphere balloons to give internet access to remote, inhospitable areas.  

'Woo' is our Word-of-the-Week. Woo means to invite, to seek favour, affection or love or to court.  

Tonsured Heads For A Song

A MP being banned on flights caused a raucous Parliament last fortnight. This week the raucous is about the accomplished and popular singer - Sonu Nigam.

His comments on the social media stirred up a huge debate on use of loud-speakers in residential areas. And amidst the chaos, the singer went ahead and got his head tonsured as a symbol of standing-up to his critics. 

Tonsure is our Word-0f-the-Week. Tonsure is the act of shaving of the head or the act of being shaven where a part or the complete head is left bare.