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Diabolically Arcane

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Don't Be Phased

2 September, 2011

Three things of a wordy nature. The first two relate to troublesome words, while the last is an invitation to come cause some trouble with words – and numbers – in old Melbourne Town. But before we go there, let’s turn to EGREGIOUS:

1 Received an email during the week from a blog guest called Mark. He wants to know when egregious – which once meant exceptional, standing out from the flock [grex], came to mean prominent for all the wrong reasons, ie outstandingly poor? I’ve dipped into a few sauces, but can’t find an obvious moment in time. For word detectives, any clues?

2 Blog regular Nib has posted a cool link in a recent forum that deserves its own space. A few weeks ago, writing my Wordplay column, I talked about the booby traps of English – like sauce and source in that last item! [tee-hee] A site called Cracked has some hijinks with the idea. Thanks Nib.

3 Lastly a dare. Letters and Numbers is actively recruiting new contestants, and any Dabbler would be guaranteed dynamite, no question. So hit the show’s website and fill out the form. After a few breezy audition puzzles you’ll be spirited to the studio and rewarded with a dictionary – whatever happens. You may end up in the finals, with your own overnight minibar. Click here, and don’t be a chicken.

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Rewording The Brain

Focus & memory, lateral leaps & logic - every aspect of cognitive health is lit in Rewording The Brain, a book revelling in how puzzles boost your brain. Part 2 equips your brain to conquer any twisty clue, plus the wild crossword finale. Pop science meets neural gameplay, Rewording is rewarding, and out now.

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Rewording The Brain

Care to renew your noodle? Rewording The Brain explores the latest neural studies, seeing how puzzles (and twisty clues) boost your neurons. Part 2 helps you crack such clues, and prep the grey matter for the crossword showcase to finish. More here

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101 Weird Words (and 3 Fakes)

From Ambidextrous to Zugwang, this mini-dictionary teems with rare or alluring words, plus bonus riddles, puzzles and fun word-facts. Dictionary detective will also nab the collection's three fakes. Ideal for late primary schoolers, or word-nuts in general.

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Gargantuan Book of Words

Sneeze words. Fake pasta. Viking slang. Gargantuan is a jumbo jumble of puzzles & games, mazes & quizzes, tailor-made for that wordy wonderkid in your life. Or anyone in love with letters, secret codes, puns, rhymes, emoji & all things languagey. More here 

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Recent Comments

Riddledom Rave

If you missed my riddle chat with Richard Fidler, then feel free to slurp the podcast at http://ab.co/1I9t1x5

Text-speak is creeping into Scrabble. Where do you sit?
OBVS I'm fine with it
Entrenched stuff - like LOL and OMG - but no more.
Words With Friends, maybe. Scrabble, no
Let the 'real' dictionaries decide first
Just the handy stuff, like FAQ and EUW
I mean, WTF?! No way
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