If You Love Words

"I don't give a damn for a man that can spell a word only one way."

     - Mark Twain (1835-1910), American writer and humorist

My wife and I were having dinner with a friend the other night, and the conversation turned to writing. She's a retired journalist, but continues writing to keep herself sharp. She told us she's working on an article about the founder, Robert Beard, and CEO, Paul Payack, of YourDictionary.com, for the Bucknell World Alumni News. Her enthusiasm for their website was contagious, so I pulled it up when I got back home.

This site has been recognized as the pre-eminent language portal by dozens of organizations around the world, and is chock-full of useful information for those who enjoy words or writing. It features a dictionary, of course, but there's also a translator, tutorials on languages, glossaries for everything from golf to geology, a synonym and antonym finder, grammar guide, rhyming links for you poets, quotations, and help with word games like Scrabble and Anagrams.

You can enter "The Agora" and discuss any aspect of the language with professional linguists or check out "The Library," where there are special guest articles available for your edification. "How the Zero Was Discovered," and "How Is A Hippo Like A Feather?" were two I saw when I logged on...two things we all need to know.

If you hate writing, or don't feel creative, there's a "Non-Writing Center" that includes aids for writing memos, complaint letters, and country music, if you're so inclined.

Anytime you are looking for just the right word, need a definition, have a grammar question, or want help with etymology, YourDictionary.com, would be a great place to start your search. Give it a visit. I think you'll find it as interesting and helpful as I have. While you're there, sign up for their "Word of the Day." It's an entertaining way to enhance your vocabulary.