My husband and I were having a lively discussion (yelling) about the word detritus. I tried to use it in a sentence but couldn't remember how you pronounce it so it ended up sounding like 'deleterious.' My husband, Mr. Cambridge Educated, said, 'it's pronounced di-TRI-tus', and I said "No, it's not! That means someone is from Detroit."
Of course he was right. Argh.
Here is the definition of this fine word that I will restrict myself to only writing down from now on, and not saying:
1. Disintegrated or eroded matter: the detritus of past civilizations
2. Accumulated material; debris: "Poems, engravings, press releases he eagerly scrutinizes the detritus of fame" Carlin Romano.
2 comments:
Detritus is one of my favorite words ever since I learned it in physical science classes ages ago. In fact I started writing a blog and just very occasionally putting up some of my thoughts on vaccines, metals and medicine that I hope someday to turn into something more useful - and the tag line I have there is "making a small contribution to the bloggish detritus". It's so funny then that you posted about that word!!
Let us read some of your detritus!! Tell us your blog site.
Post a Comment