Word of the day: antipodes PRONUNCIATION: an-TIP-uh-deez MEANING: noun: 1. Two places situated on the diametrically opposite sides of the earth. 2. The exact opposite of someone or something. 3. Australia and New Zealand. ETYMOLOGY: Via Latin from Greek antipodes (literally, those having the feet opposite, i.e. having feet on opposite sides of the earth), plural of antipous, from anti- (opposite) + pous (foot). Ultimately from the Indo-European root ped- (foot) which gave us peccadillo (alluding to a stumble or fall), pedal, impeccable, podium, octopus, and impeach. Earliest documented use: 1398. USAGE: Tasmanias most celebrated attraction now is the Museum of Old and New Art, outside Hobart. Everyone in the antipodes knows its titillating backstory. James Fallows; Tasmania: Maybe the Most Unforgettable Place Ever; The Atlantic Monthly (Boston); Jun 19, 2013. At no other time have the sensibilities of Americas Atlantic and Pacific cosmopolitan antipodes stood in sharper contrast. Peter Schjeldahl; Seeing and Disbelieving; The New Yorker; Jul 2013.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 01:04:34 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015