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Do verify every statement just to brush up on your English! INTERESTING FACTS for those who love the English language! No words in the English language rhyme with “month”, “orange”, “silver” or "purple”. “Hungry” and “Angry” are the only words in the English language that end in “-gry. The number 4 is the only number that has the same number of letters in it - FOUR Did you know the word 'Underground' is the only word that begins and ends with the letters 'und'. The word 'Uncopyrightable' is the only 15-letter word that can be spelt without repeating any letter. The word 'Typewriter' is the longest word that can be typed using only the top row of a keyboard. Did you know the sentence "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" uses every letter in the English alphabet. The word 'Rhythm' is the longest word without a vowel. "Dreamt" is the only word that ends in mt. Did you know there are only 3 sets of letters on a keybo

Feinschmecker (fahyn-shmek-uhr) Noun gourmet; a person who appreciates good food More about Feinschmecker First recorded in 1895–1900; From German literally meaning “fine-taster, gourmet.” From fein, fine1 + schmecker, "taster", from schmecken, "to taste", (see smack1 + -er1) Examples of Feinschmecker The restaurant, popular among feinschmeckers, offered an exquisite tasting menu. An impressive feinschmecker, she could identify every ingredient in the elaborate dish. E pluribus unum     (e ploo-ri-boos oo-noom) Latin phrase out of many, one More about E pluribus unum First used in English as a slogan in the 1700s. Adopted as the U.S. motto in 1782. Directly from Latin: e, “out of” + plus, “more” + unus, “one.” Examples of E pluribus unum The phrase E pluribus unum appears on the Great Seal of the United States, symbolizing unity. In the spirit of E pluribus unum, people from all backgrounds came together to celebrate Independence Day. Glabrous (gley-bruhs) Adjectiv

Milk and Your Perfect Match; Discovering the Right Milk for You -By Aishwarya  Umesh Patil* Milk is an essential part of the diet in India. Milk is often common in coffee, tea, desserts, and everyday foods. However, there's always controversy about which milk is the best to purchase. The Indian market offers a variety of milk (Toned milk, double-toned milk, standardized milk and full cream milk), the main difference between these milk variants is their fat content. Regular milk is unavoidable due to its calcium and numerous health benefits. However, it also has a relatively high fat content. Determining which milk best suits your daily lifestyle often comes down to considering your personal preferences and dietary needs. The fat content can vary significantly, so it's important to understand these differences when selecting the right milk for your household. A key factor in choosing the right milk is understanding the various types available. Buffalo milk is denser than cow and

Tautology (taw-tol-uh-jee) Noun needless repetition of an idea First recorded between 1570–80. A term in rhetoric. From Greek tautología, “repetition of something already said.” Examples of Tautology Her advice was to revert back to the original plan. This meeting is absolutely essential. I heard the news with my own ears. Dovetail (duhv-teyl) Verb to join or fit together compactly or harmoniously. More about Dovetail First recorded in 1555–65. So named from its shape. Examples of Dovetail The new software is designed to dovetail seamlessly with existing systems. Her plans dovetail nicely with his, making collaboration easy and efficient. Chockablock (chok-uh-blok) Adjective extremely full; crowded; jammed More about Chockablock First recorded in 1790–1800. Formed from chock “wedge” + –a- (connective) + block, “solid mass of wood.” Examples of Chockablock The shelves in the bookstore were chockablock with bestsellers and new releases. The festival grounds were chockablock with food sta

Medical puns 1. I went to the library to get a medical book on abdominal pain. Somebody had ripped the appendix out. 2. Two blood vessels fell in love but alas, it was all in vein. 3. An organ's favourite boat is a blood vessel. 4. Why do your heart, liver and lungs all fit in your body? Because they are well-organized 5. For years I was against organ transplants. Then I had a change of heart. 6. The angry brain lost its nerve! 7. Statistically, nine out of ten injections are in veins. 8. What did the vein say to the pessimistic blood clot? Be positive. 9. When you get a bladder infection, urine trouble! 10. You can hear the blood in your veins if you listen varicosely. 11. We be-lung together! 12. When neurons commit a crime, they are put in a nerve cell. 13. A kidney's favourite instrument is the organ. 14. If you steal someone’s heart, do you get cardiac arrested? 15. The brain is an amazing organ. It really makes you think 16. It takes some guts to be an organ donor. 17. Th

Expeditious (k-spi-dish-uhs) Adjective characterized by promptness; quick More about Expeditious First recorded between 1590–1600. Formed from exped(ition) -itious  Examples of Expeditious The company’s expeditious response to customer complaints improved its reputation. His expeditious movements on the field made him the fastest player on the team. Doppelganger (dop-uhl-gang-er) Noun a ghostly double or counterpart of a living person. More about Doppelganger First recorded in English between 1850–55. Directly from German: doppel, double + Ganger, “walker” (from Gang, “motion, way” +n-el; cf gang). Examples of Doppelganger The actress was surprised when her fans mistook a lookalike for her doppelgänger. Historical records revealed that a doppelgänger of the king was used as a decoy during times of war. Dovetail (duhv-teyl) verb to join or fit together compactly or harmoniously. More about Dovetail First recorded in 1555–65. So named from its shape. Examples of Dovetail The new softwar

"The workroom at St James's workhouse" from The Microcosm of London (1808). Do read this article. It is worth A lady (85 yrs old), is thinking of leaving Mumbai and shifting to a senior citizens colony near Pune. Her husband passed away many years ago. She educated and married her three daughters who are now US citizens. They have two kids each of who is now in High School/College. The lady herself travelled to the US many times on her own. She lived there for six months or more, on six occasions, when her daughters delivered babies. The other day, she became emotional and disclosed her plan to settle for assisted living in an old age home in Pune, and that she had no intention to go back to the US for reasons of her own. One can feel her emotions very strongly, as all of us may have to face the same dilema in our sunset years too. Please read the Article below. The lady was feeling the same way as the author of the Article, who has written this beautiful piece. This Art

Gestalt (guh-shtahlt) Noun something with two or more parts that are so integrated that they are perceived as one. More about Gestalt First used between 1920–25. Directly from German Gestalt, “figure, form, structure.” Examples of Gestalt The gestalt of the novel’s narrative structure, with its interwoven stories, provides a rich, layered experience for readers. In therapy, the gestalt approach focuses on understanding the entire context of a person’s experiences rather than isolating specific events. Foudroyant (foo-droi-uhnt) Adjective sudden and overwhelming in effect; stunning; dazzling. More about Foudroyant First recorded in English between 1830–40. From French foudroyer, “to strike with lightning,” derivative of foudre, “lightning.” Examples of Foudroyant The foudroyant storm lit up the whole sky. The opera began with a foudroyant overture, setting the stage for the emotional and powerful performance that followed. Metonymy (mi-ton-uh-mee) noun referring to something by one of i

Murdering English: In Leave Letters to Government Offices From Administrative Deptt. Bengaluru in 1996: As my mother-in-law has expired and I m the only one responsible for it, Please grant me 10 days leave. Maharashtra in 2005: "Since I have to go to my village to sell my land along with my wife, please sanction me one-week leave." Jharkhand in 2000 From an employee who was performing the "mundan" ceremony of his 10 year old son: As I want to cut my son's head in Gaya, please leave me for two days.. Leave Application from an employee who was performing his daughter's wedding in Hyderabad in 1996 : As I am marrying my daughter, please grant a week's leave.. From another Administration Dept,Gujarat in 2007: An employee applied for half-day leave as follows: "Since I've to go to the cremation ground at 10 o'clock and I may not return, please grant me half day casual leave" Another leave

Hinterland (hin-ter-land) Noun the remote or less developed parts of a country. More about Hinterland First used between 1885–90. Directly from the German Hinterland, literally “behind the land.” Commonly used in the plural, hinterlands, compared with the sticks or boondocks.   Examples of Hinterland She longed to escape the city’s noise and find solace in the serene hinterland. The bustling port city was surrounded by a vast, sparsely populated hinterland. Bulbul (bool-bool) noun a songbird often mentioned in Persian poetry, regarded as being a nightingale. More about Bulbul Of imitative origin, borrowed into English from Persian around 1775–85. In Arabic, bulbul is the name of a bird in the Pycnonotidae family but can also refer to the nightingale. Examples of Bulbul Every morning, the melodious song of the bulbul filled the garden. The bulbul, with its cheerful tunes, was a favourite among birdwatchers. Sapphirine (saf-er-in) Adjective like sapphire, especially in colour. More abou

Bengaluru: Pramod Deshpande, originally from Pune is a software professional turned fitness expert with structured training helping people run irrespective of their advanced age. He heads the Jayanagar Jaguars Academy headquartered at Jayanagar in Bengaluru, which has evolved into a household name for all those enthusiastic and fond of running to keep fit. He dwelt in detail about the journey of Jayanagar Jaguars in an interaction recently. Excerpts from the interview: How did Jayanagar Jaguars Academy come into being? Pramod Deshpande: Jayanagar Jaguars is a Running Academy we no longer call it a group because we do a very well-structured and proper training, whereas in a running group you come, run and go home. Here, there is a program with scientific training and a lot of other exercises, etc. I joined Jayanagar Jaguars around 2013 when it was only a running group; people used to come and run but there was no structured program. So, it was in 2014 when I suggested that we do somet

Jubilee (joo-buh-lee) noun a celebration of the anniversary of a special event More about Jubilee First recorded between 1350–1400. From the Hebrew word yōbhēl which literally means “ram.” Another meaning was “a ram’s horn used as a trumpet” which was sounded to proclaim the Day of Atonement. Examples of Jubilee The town held a grand jubilee to commemorate its 200th anniversary. The school’s centennial jubilee featured alumni from all over the world. Beek (beek) Verb to bask or warm in the sunshine or before a fireplace, stove, or bonfire. More about Beek First recorded between 1200–50. Possibly from the Middle English word beken, akin to bake.  Examples of Beek It’s so cozy to beek in front of the fireplace after a day of skiing. On sunny days, we can see many lizards beeking in the sun. Diffident (dif-i-duhnt) Adjective shy; lacking self-confidence. More about Diffident First recorded between 1425–75. From Latin diffīdēns, “mistrusting, despairing.” Examples of Diffident The new stu

  In a significant contribution to public health education, Dr Shiva Murthy N has released a new book titled Arogya Prashnottara – Vividha Rogagala Arogya Maahithi Pusthaka. This meticulously researched guide is designed to demystify a wide array of health conditions through clear and concise answers to 172 pertinent questions, making it an invaluable resource for individuals seeking reliable information on disease management and health maintenance. A Timely Release for Today's Health-Conscious Society In today's fast-paced world, the importance of accurate health information cannot be overstated. With the proliferation of information on the internet, distinguishing between credible advice and misinformation can be daunting. Dr Murthy's book aims to cut through the noise, offering scientifically backed answers to some of the most common and pressing health concerns. Broad Spectrum of Covered Diseases Arogya Prashnottara covers 18 diverse medical conditions, ensuring a compr

Coadventure (koh-uhd-ven-cher) Verb to share in an adventure. More about Coadventure First recorded in English between 1635–45. Formed from the prefix co+adventure.  Examples of Coadventure Sarah and Tom decided to coadventure through the Amazon rainforest, sharing every thrilling moment. They often coadventure to ancient ruins and archaeological sites, uncovering secrets of the past together. Duplicitous (doo-plis-i-tuhs) Adjective marked or characterized by duplicity More about Duplicitous First recorded between 1955–60. Formed from duplicity+-ous, a suffix forming adjectives with the general sense of “possessing, full of .” Examples of Duplicitous My duplicitous cat was purring sweetly while secretly plotting to knock over the vase. The politician’s duplicitous promises left voters wondering if he had taken acting lessons. Eyesome (ahy-suhm) adjective pleasant to look at. More about Eyesome First recorded in English between 1575–85. Formed from eye+-some  Examples of Eyesome The eye

Facetious (fuh-see-shuhs) Adjective not meant to be taken seriously or literally. More about Facetious First recorded in 1585–95. From Middle French facecieux, from facetie, “a jest,” from Latin facētia, “a jest, witticism” (see facetiae+-ious)  Examples of Facetious She made a facetious comment about moving to Mars to escape the traffic. The author’s facetious tone made the article entertaining despite the serious topic. Venerable (ven-er-uh-buhl) adjective commanding respect because of great age or impressive dignity. More about Venerable First used in Middle English between 1400–50. From the Latin venerābilis, equivalent to venerā(rī), “to venerate worship” + -bilis, "-ble," an adjective-forming suffix. Examples of Venerable They visited the venerable ruins, awed by their historical significance. She was a venerable figure, known for her extensive knowledge and wise counsel. Sierra (see-er-uh) noun a chain of hills or mountains, the peaks of which suggest the teeth of a sa

Dulcify (duhl-suh-fahy) Verb to sweeten More about Dulcify First used between 1590–1600. Derived from the Late Latin dulcificāre, “to sweeten” with ‑ficāre, “to do” + ify, a verbal suffix meaning “to make, to cause to do, render.” Examples of Dulcify She added honey to the tea to dulcify it, making it more enjoyable. They used syrup to dulcify the bitter medicine for the children. Abrogate (ab-ruh-geyt) Verb to put aside; put an end to. More about Abrogate First used in English between 1520–30. From the Latin abrogātus, “repealed” (See ab-rogation, -ate 1) The meaning has expanded from officially repealing a law (doing away with it) to delaying or avoiding doing something, like a chore or another responsibility. Examples of Abrogate By neglecting to attend the meetings, he was seen as trying to abrogate his duties. The committee tried to abrogate its responsibility by postponing the decision until after the holidays. Mistral (mis-truhl) Noun a cold, dry, wind common in southern France

  Being a veterinarian is a very passionate and compassionate job by itself. Veterinarians are trained to communicate with the patient owner and examine the patient to come up with a diagnosis and treatment regime. There are various diversities a veterinarian can venture out apart from the regular small and large animal practice, viz. disease diagnosis, vaccine production, pathology, poultry sciences, dairy industry, applied sciences, laboratory animal, one health programs, wildlife, forensics etc. Career of a  wildlife veterinarian:  I have chosen my career to be a wildlife veterinarian, wherein I get to practice with wild animals both in captivity and free-ranging. My inspiration started when I was in school where my father took me to the forests of the western ghats for his research projects. As my interest grew, I started going for elephant, and tiger census in the western ghats and then volunteered with CWS for a while. In the meantime, I started to pursue veterinary school. Soon

Bengaluru: Dr Prasanna Simha, veteran cardiologist, Professor and Head of the Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular and Research (SJICR) strongly advocates healthy habits for maintaining a healthy heart. Junk food: In a candid telephone conversation, Dr Prasanna Simha dwelt in detail on the multiple factors solely responsible for heart ailments surging Northwards. He asserted-"The common premature diabetes related to obesity is due to consumption of junk food-related habits plays a major role in the increasing numbers of heart ailments. Not maintaining proper weight, no control over central obesity (bulky tummy), lack of regular exercise, over-eating, and bad habits are paving the way for cardiac-related woes... ...Japanese way of eating: It may be appropriate here to quote the Japanese way of eating. By and large, you don't find obese people in Japan. You also find villages of centurions and that has been made possible

Preventive heart health involves taking steps to maintain a healthy heart and reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Here are some details about preventive heart health: Risk Factors: 1. Age (45+ for men, 55+ for women) 2. Gender (men are at greater risk, but women are at risk after menopause) 3. Family history 4. Smoking 5. High blood pressure 6. High cholesterol 7. Diabetes 8. Obesity 9. Lack of exercise 10. Unhealthy diet Prevention Strategies: 1. Healthy Diet: Eat a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugars. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. 2. Regular Exercise: Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise, or a combination of both each week. 3. Maintain a Healthy Weight: If you're overweight or obese, losing weight can help lower your risk of heart disease. 4. Don't Smoke: Smoking is a significant risk factor fo

  Interdigitate (in-ter-dij-i-teyt) Verb to interlock, as or like the fingers of both hands. More about Interdigitate First recorded in English between 1840–50. Formed from the Latin inter-, “between, among” +digitate, “like a digit or finger.” Examples of Interdigitate The roots of the two plants interdigitate, forming a strong and interconnected network. The gears in the clock interdigitate perfectly, ensuring accurate timekeeping.  Dumbledore (duhm-buhl-dawr) Noun bumblebee More about Dumbledore First recorded in English between 1785 and 90. From dumble-, an imitative, combining form (like bumble-, humble-, drumble-) + dore, a variant spelling of dor1, “a buzzing insect.” Examples of Dumbledore The dumbledore buzzed happily among the flowers, collecting nectar. As spring arrived, the garden came alive with the hum of dumbledores. Eyewinker (ahy-wing-ker) noun anything that enters or irritates the eye and causes blinking. More about Eyewinker First recorded between 1800–10. Formed fr