Enlarge Your Vocabulary

'Pete's perfectly punctuated porciloquence left them all in awe! So much said in so few words!' (Apologies for mother's interference!) _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson without his express c...

'His indefatigability left the indefatigable indefatigably exhausted; for never in the history of the indefatigable had such indefatigableness been witnessed!'

Note: You may struggle to find the noun: indefatigableness in most dictionaries. Why? They've deemed it obsolete—a tragic casualty of underuse. 'Shame on those dictionaries!'

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‘I wouldn’t go in there if I were you.’ ‘Oh? Why ever not?’ ‘Your persiflage about her cooking hasn’t exactly gone down well with Aunt Martha.’ _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson without his ...

Recalcitrant: adjective meaning 'stubbornly uncooperative'—much like your Wi-Fi when you need it most!

_ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson without his express consent or that of his authorised...

It’s not as simple as saying it out loud—though that’s a start. In this episode, we trace the curious path from playful coinage to dictionary legitimacy. Along the way, we meet words that sneaked in, strutted in, or simply refused to go away.

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Gossipient (First public use: 6 July 2025 – Enlarge Your Vocabulary, Episode 71) gossipient (adj.) /ˈɡɒ.sɪ.pi.ənt/ ‘GOSS-ih-pee-ənt’ Actively inclined to spread gossip, often with great relish. gossipient (noun) Someone who delights in gathering and spreading gossip.

"Clara is such a gossipient—she was on the phone to all the neighbours the minute Rosie was out the door!"

Pssst! Why ...

"Hurry! It’s Fred – he’s been hit in the eye with an expergefactor!" _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson without his express consent or that of his authorised representatives. This includes al...

'He's beginning to see the light – he's having an expergefaction!' (Ready the chorus of angels!) _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson without his express consent or that of his authorised repre...

His calvity glistened in the early morning sun! _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson without his express consent or that of his authorised representatives. This includes all methods, such as AI...

Silva’s electric alacrity dispelled the team’s despondency! _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson without his express consent or that of his authorised representatives. This includes all methods...

'Eric and Phyllis are coming to dinner tonight.' 'Oh goodie, more ice cream for us — I guess they’ll enjoy their spoonful of self-control!' (maniacal laughter!) _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jeffe...

Reading Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861) was a prominent English poet of the Victorian era, renowned for her eloquent and passionate poetry. Born in County Durham, she gained literary acclaim with her collection "Sonnets from the Portuguese," which expresses her deep love for fellow poet Robert Browning. Note: The reading was recorded with a faint vinyl effect in the background. __ © The recording may not be altered or used f...

Julia’s little face lit up in loving delight as she hugged Teddy tightly — after Nana J’s sedulous efforts and her unwavering sedulity lovingly restored ‘Teddy’ back to life with every careful stitch! __ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voic...

‘Here comes Paul, but what on earth is that ginormous thing he has on a leash?’ ‘Oh, that’s his best friend, his ego. He likes to take it for walkies each day!’ _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jeffe...

‘Do you know Des?’ ‘Oh, sure! He’s gold — one of the more complacent people in the community.’ ‘Ah, I think you mean “complaisant” — he’s always eager and willing to help.’ _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy ...

‘Hey! Aunt Bea is on her way over, and she’s bringing bucketloads of sweets!’ _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson without his express consent or that of his authorised representatives. This in...

Reading Andrew Barton 'Banjo' Paterson, CBE (17 February 1864 – 5 February 1941). Patterson wrote the poem in 1896. It was originally published on the 25 July 1896 edition of the Sydney Mail. Mulga Bill's Bicycle tells the hilarious story of Mulga Bill, who thinks he's much better at cycling than he turns out to be. Note: The reading was recorded with faint vinyl effect in the background. __ © The recording may not be altered or u...

Reading

The black dog finds a troubled sleeper.

‘To be or not to be’ is probably the most famous soliloquy. Here is a man, unable to sleep, sitting on the side of his bed in the dark of night, wrestling with even darker thoughts, and firmly in the grip of “that black dog”.

The reference to the “black dog” is in honour of Mark Twain, who referred to depression as “that black dog”. Note: The reading was recorded with a faint vinyl ef...

'And the Oscar goes to ... (drumroll, please) ... Lenny the Lugubrious!' __ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson without his express consent or that of his authorised representatives. This includ...