Michael Gates's Blog, page 2

The Red Sea?

Just wrote a book review of Bleeding Sea, an excellent eco-thriller about an invasive species of algae that turns the ocean red and kills fish and humans alike. 

Catastrophe porn appeals to me right now.

Welcome to the KAKISTOCRACY!

KAKISTOCRACY = government by the least suitable or competent citizens of a state

 "Living in a kakistocracy is like being on a plane where the pilot insists that 'wings are overrated' and the co-pilot is busy googling 'how to fly.' Every decision feels like it was made by a committee of raccoons who stumbled upon the control room and thought, 'Let's press ALL the buttons!' It’s a special kind of government where competence is a liability, and the only job requirement is that you have no idea what you’re doing—but you’re incredibly confident about it." --Chat GPT

Feeling a bit UNKED, are you?

UNKED (adj) =  strange, weird, or uncanny

British English, pronounced: un-ked. 

"As the sun set behind the hills, the small cottage at the edge of the forest took on an unked appearance, its windows dark and uninviting. The wind whispered through the trees, creating an eerie symphony that added to the sense of unease. Alone in the gathering twilight, Sarah felt a chill run down her spine, the unked atmosphere making her quicken her pace towards home."
--Chat GPT

Would YOU want a lazaretto-themed man cave?

 LAZARETTO (n) = an institution (such as a hospital) for those with contagious diseases

"After a week of binge-watching old pirate movies, Tim's imagination sailed away with the idea of converting his basement into a lazaretto-themed man cave. Complete with fake portholes, rum barrels, and a "Quarantine Zone" sign, his friends joked that anyone entering would need more than just a shot of grog to survive the evening unscathed." --Chat GPT

Do you believe in ECTOPLASM (like Arthur Conan Doyle did)?

ECTOPLASM (n) = a substance that produces spirit materialization and telekinesis. 

"The novel’s ectoplasm hovers between the realms of historical horror and cultural comedy." — Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2021

Arthur Conan Doyle believed in fairies:

https://tinyurl.com/2s38f8yw

If I draw it, will you give me your ESPHRASIS?

 EKPHRASIS (n) = a written description of or commentary on a visual work of art

"Hongo’s work embodies ekphrasis — his capacious mind roams across art forms." — Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2022

Don't be an OMADHAUN!

OMADHAUN (n) = a fool or nitwit. Irish slang word. 

"Tom behaved like an omadhaun when he tried to fix the broken car engine with a hammer and a screwdriver." --ChatGPT

Don't be an "omadhaun"!

OMADHAUN (n) = a fool or nitwit. Irish slang word. 

"Tom behaved like an omadhaun when he tried to fix the broken car engine with a hammer and a screwdriver." --ChatGPT

Is your doctor's waiting room a place of AETERNITATIS?

AETERNITATIS (n) = eternity or of eternity. 

 "The philosopher contemplated the mysteries of existence with a gaze that seemed to transcend time, as if he were connected to the aeternitatis of the universe." --ChatGPT

Stand back! He's SIALOQUENT!

SIALOQUENT (adj) = tending to spray saliva while speaking

"The sialoquent professor could not understand why his pupils would not sit in the front row of the lecture hall." --Wiktionary