If you have no idea what the difference is between a serving size and portion size… well, me neither. Then there’s this "portion distortion" thing that has everyone in a dither, not to mention how easy it is to eat too much, thanks to dinner plates now being the size of trays. No wonder we just look at a muffin and gain 5 pounds. Sigh.
The ultimate guide to serving sizes
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Friday's Fashion Obsessions: Selena Gomez and Zoey Deutch
Selena Gomez and Zoey Deutch's beautiful celebrity styles made us do a double take this week! We're telling you why in this week's installment of Friday's Fashion Obsessions.
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Plan the perfect honeymoon to Anguilla
Anguilla might not be on everyone's radar when it comes to sun-drenched destinations, but it will be soon. The trending island is poised to become a hot honeymoon spot. We’re sharing some of what makes Anguilla a great island for romance and how to plan a memorable honeymoon on the picture-perfect island.
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Friday's Fashion Fails: Jessie J and Julianne Moore
Oops... even celebrities get it wrong sometimes! We're telling you why Jessie J and Julianne Moore's fashions fell short in our weekly feature. Learn from the stars' sartorial slip ups!
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Robin Thicke trying to get Paula Patton back
Robin Thicke is not giving up on his marriage to Paula Patton and claims he's trying to get her back.
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Katy Perry has "miracle" day as "Dark Horse" gets edited
Katy Perry isn't about to let a little thing like being associated with blasphemy ruin one of her best days ever. Find out why the songstress was glowing with happiness as her "Dark Horse" video got reworked.
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Who's hotter: Scandal's Scott Foley vs. Columbus Short
These two Kansas City boys rock their roles on Scandal. Who do you think is hotter?
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Oscar snubs: Who's not nominated for an Academy Award this year?
The Oscars are on Sunday, March 2, but a few high-profile actors and movies aren't nominated this year. Who was overlooked?
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8 Books to make you feel Oscar-worthy
Get an insider's look at the Academy Awards with these books ranging from must-have, behind-the-scenes looks to fast-paced murder mysteries.
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PHOTOS: About a Boy parties with Lil Jon
Will finds himself in hot water when he decides to take Marcus to Lil Jon's pool party. Fiona is not going to like this.
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Rainbow smoothie pops for healthy on-the-go snacking
Made with a rainbow of fresh fruits and blended with just a bit of yogurt and almond milk, they're a terrific, healthy addition to any party menu where color is key.
Use a rainbow assortment of five different fruits. I prefer frozen chunks of fruit because it makes the mixtures thicker.
I found these freezer ice-pop bags at Zipzicles.com. They worked perfectly.
It's as easy as blending up a smoothie, but the end result is way more fun!
Who said pastry bags were just for frosting? These make it super easy to fill up the ice-pop bags without all the mess.
Start with the blueberries...
and work your way up the rainbow until you get to strawberry.
Keep them in your freezer for a rainbow-inspired snack whenever the craving hits.
Rainbow smoothie pops recipe
Yields 20
Ingredients and supplies:
- 2 cups frozen strawberries
- 2 cups frozen mango
- 2 cups frozen pineapple
- 2 cups frozen kiwi
- 2 cups frozen blueberries
- 5 cups vanilla yogurt
- 3-4 cups almond milk
- Zipzicle bags
- Pastry bags
- Rubber bands
- Blender
Directions:
- In a blender, mix each frozen fruit with 1 cup vanilla yogurt and 1/2 cup almond milk. Add more almond milk if needed to blend, but the smoothies should be fairly thick.
- Pour each blended fruit smoothie into a sealed pastry bag and close the tops with rubber bands. You want your smoothies to be fairly thick so that they don't mix together when you squeeze them into the ice-pop bags. If needed, put them in the freezer for about an hour to help stiffen the mixtures.
- Place the bags upside down in cups, and cut the tips of the pastry bags off.
- Squeeze a small amount (about 1 tablespoon/1 inch) of the blueberry smoothie into the bottoms of the Zipzicle bags. As you fill the bags, you can place them upright inside cups to keep the mixtures from sliding. Next, squeeze the kiwi smoothie on top of the blueberry in all of the bags. Continue this process with the pineapple, mango and strawberry smoothies until all of the bags are full.
- Seal the bags closed and freeze for at least 4 hours.
Grown-ups like frozen treats, too!
Try these adults-only concoctions
More smoothie recipes
Energizing green detox smoothie
Banana coconut smoothie
Avocado and blueberry swirled smoothie
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Sex positions for when you’re having a fat day
1
Reverse cowgirl
The best way to camouflage a bloated belly? Psh, just don’t let him see it at all! Certified Master Sex Expert Nikki Ransom-Alfred recommends trying reverse cowgirl when you’re having a fat day. “Climb on top with your back facing your guy,” she says. “This way, if you’re feeling a little pudgy and bloated in the front, he’ll never even notice since you’re facing away from him.” Plus, the view of your booty will be more than enough to get him going, trust us.
2
Union of love
Forget all about stomach flab and just climb on top of your guy and snuggle close, chest-to-chest (like you’re straddling him, sitting on his lap), advises Nikki. “In this position, he will only be focusing on your hot breasts against his body, kissing you and gazing into your eyes, nothing else. Another bonus is that this position is great for exercising the legs.” That way, you’ll get a little leg workout in while you’re going at it like rabbits.
3
The lazy dog
Perfect for lazy days and fat days alike, this sex position completely conceals your tummy and requires hardly any effort at all (which, we don’t know about you, but we’re A-OK with!). To do the deed, have your guy enter you from behind while you’re lying flat on the bed, suggests Nikki. “You won't have to worry about anything appearing "fat" since your entire body is lying flat on the bed and your movements can be very minimal.” Note: If you just ate, this is probably the way to go!
4
The lazy superwoman
You may not be able to magically make your pooch disappear, but you can transform yourself into a skinny superwoman thanks to this position. The top half of your waist is lying down on the bed with your guy holding your knees and entering you from behind, explains Nikki. “This position is great because your tummy is hidden with you lying flat on the bed and it's still highly erotic and kinky.”
5
Straight up missionary
According to sex expert Stacy Rybchin of My Secret Luxury, the missionary position is a surprising confidence booster on a fat day. "You can either hold your arms up over your head to elongate your body, or you can try squeezing him tight so there's little need for him to move and touch your sensitive spots,” she says. “This also makes him think that you want him super close to you and you want to feel him as close as possible.” According to us, there ain’t nothing wrong with that.
More ways to love your body on a fat day
AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator Charlie Glickman, Ph.D., offers these quick tips for feeling fabulous in bed on a fat day.
- Use candlelight or string lights to create a sexy mood.
- Wear something sexy like lingerie or a slinky dress you can pull up over your hips.
- If you want to add a little kink, use a blindfold or loosely tie a scarf around your boyfriend’s eyes. Then, he can’t see what you’re doing (which is pretty darn sexy) and you can relax about it all.
- Remember that even when there is a small weight gain, most guys don’t even notice it. It’s worth thinking about how much of the self-consciousness that many women have around small changes in weight comes from trying to fit into an unattainable mold rather than appreciating and enjoying the body you have.
More sex tips and positions
Sex positions for mind blowing orgasms
Best sex positions for guaranteed happy girly parts
8 Wacky sex fetishes that will make you feel normal
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21 Things your vajay-jay would say if it could talk
1
"You bought new batteries?!"
2
"When I said I wanted to try stirrups,
this isn't exactly what I had in mind."
3
"OK seriously, what just happened?"
4
"And the Oscar goes to..."
5
"Oh, so that's what he meant."
6
"I think we should just be friends."
7
"Sorry, we're closed."
8
"You want what to come out of where?"
9
"It's like the Gobi Desert in here! Wait, is that a cactus?"
10
"I've decided to launch a solo career."
11
"Excuse me, how is your headache my problem?"
12
"Whatever. Wake me when you're done."
13
"I'm starting to feel like a Pez dispenser."
14
"Do you need a map?"
15
"HAHAHA, that tickles!"
16
"In the jungle, the mighty jungle..."
17
"OMG, yes! Right there! Wait, where are you going?"
18
"I really need to get out more."
19
"I need a haircut."
20
"Nice hat."
21
"What's a Brazilian?"
More advice for down yonder
Best sex positions for guaranteed happy girly parts
Self-lovin' sex positions
What you need to know about lubricant
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Workouts for your body shape
Let's be clear: It shouldn't be about looking skinny anymore. It's about catering to the shape you were born with and doing it justice. It's about exuding confidence that your curves are here to stay and you're proud of that.
For pear shapes
Photo credit: C.Smith/WENN.com
You carry most of your weight in your thighs and your booty. While you can still focus on trimming down your lower body if you want, arm workouts will help add curves to your upper body to balance out your frame and accentuate your curves.
A workout for pear body shapes >>
For hourglass shapes
Photo credit: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com
You were born with natural curves in your upper and lower body, and for you, workouts that tone these areas rather than shed tons of pounds are best. Cardio can benefit everyone, but don't lose sight of the importance of a good weight-lifting routine to sculpt your shape.
A workout for hourglass shapes >>
For rectangle shapes
Photo credit: Patrick Hoffmann/WENN.com
You may have grown up constantly hearing people say, "You're so skinny, you're so lucky." You beg to differ. You're starting from scratch when it comes to your curves, and it can be tough to find the best exercise regimen that helps tone without triggering weight loss.
A workout tips rectangle shapes >>
For athletic & apple shapes
Photo credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
Someone decided to bless you with an upper body that naturally appears to have muscle tone. However, you may crave extra curves in your lower body and less weight in your midsection. Try this circuit to trim your waist and bring out the curves you've been blessed with.
A workout for athletic and apple shapes >>
More workout routines
Transform your body with dance cardio
The right fitness class for your workout goals
10 Ten-minute workout routines for your living room
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Home workout routines by body part
Choose the body part
Bonus
More on fitness
The great big guide to yoga poses
Workouts for your body shape
Fitness trend: Piloxing
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The great big yoga pose guide
First things first
- Don't make beginners' mistakes
- How to prevent yoga injuries
- How to avoid hip injury
- The most common mistakes made in yoga
Yoga basics
- 12 poses for beginners
- Morning yoga poses for energy
- Bedtime yoga that improves sleep
- Total-body toning yoga poses
- Pregnancy yoga poses
Yoga poses that tone your...
Yoga for the cure
- Yoga poses for quick stress relief
- Yoga for your period
- Yoga poses that boost heart health
- Yoga poses best for jet lag
- Anti-aging yoga poses
- Yoga poses that support your immune system
- Yoga poses for better posture
Intimate yoga
Intermediate yoga poses
More on yoga
The health benefits of hot yoga
How yoga makes sex better
Yoga poses for kids
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What I’ve learned from not wearing makeup for two years
It's been two years since I last put on a lick of makeup, and here's what I've learned from the experience:
1
There was a face under all the makeup
And it was a very tired one. I’d been focusing so much on my exterior look that my skin had been heavily neglected for at least a decade. Underneath my faux glow was a pale, pasty, droopy looking mug. Ever since, I’ve been working hard on maintaining a skin care routine and healthy eating habits so I can have a natural glow that doesn’t involve a makeup brush. You know what’s better than skin that looks healthy? Skin that actually is.
2
It’s really easy to complicate beauty
I used to practically foam at the mouth every time I saw a new mascara commercial. It’s super easy to get caught up in the glitz and glamour of it all, committing yourself to ridiculous, time-consuming beauty routines that you don’t really need. Having a grip on your personal style (which I finally have thanks to this hiatus) makes it easier not to get carried away.
3
Makeup is supposed to be fun!
I’m not sure when I forgot this insanely important fact, but I think that was the beginning of the end for me. Makeup is supposed to be a form of self-expression, not a necessity. Somewhere along the way, many of us started to believe we weren’t whole women without our beauty routine in the morning… and at lunch… and during every bathroom break at work… then of course, there’s the whole, day-to-night makeup transformation that just has to take place.
Sigh. You probably want to have a nap just thinking about it, but then you’d have to wash off your makeup and put it back on post-nap. Sigh squared.
4
I have so much more time on my hands
When I took makeup out of the equation, this also led to looking in the mirror less. I focus more on what I want to accomplish and less on what I look like accomplishing it. Every day I feel more at ease, and I’m becoming a more natural me.
5
Makeup is effing expensive
My bank account finally came out of overdraft when I tossed my makeup bag. I could probably go on vacation with all the money I've saved by skipping the cosmetic aisle of the drug store.
6
I can cry without having to chisel mascara off my face afterward
Seriously, this is the best.
7
You don’t need as much makeup as you think
I used to use makeup to cover up under eye circles, puffiness and general exhaustion. Because I finally have my big girl pants on and am focusing on skin care and health, makeup will only be necessary if I want to enhance my features (or have a little fun — see below). Less is always more.
More beauty tips
12 Steps to smoother skin
Vitamins that boost natural beauty
Why honey is good for your skin
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Stereotypes women obsess over (that men don’t care about)
Photo credit: Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images
Seriously, not even a little
Do you find yourself obsessively making sure the lighting’s “just right” before getting frisky with your beau? (I used to unplug the lamp earlier in the day and then go, “Huh, weird,” when it wouldn’t turn on. I wish I was joking.) Or perhaps faking a headache/sickness/injury because you didn’t have time to shave?
Sure, we could blame our obsession with nakedness (in front of a boy!) on Victoria’s Secret models, but we don’t have to drink the Kool-Aid.
You don't care about your sig-o's supposed "imperfections." If anything, you find they add to his charm and are what make him unique (right?!). The same goes for how he feels about your quirks — so why are you ruining your most intimate moments by not being fully intimate?
Below, a roundup of the ridiculously human things we obsess over that men don't give a flying you-know-what about (they're just happy to be getting some!):
1
A few extra pounds
If you've put on weight and you're self-conscious about it, you're probably dimming the lights, looking for slimming lingerie and rehearsing equally slimming sex positions. “Don't waste your time,” says relationship expert April Masini. “Men don't care. They value confidence and an interest in sex way more than a muffin top.”
2
Your boobs
It doesn't matter whether you're concerned about them sagging or not being big enough (or in my case not being able to find them) — guys are just happy to see boobs in general.
3
Stretch marks and cellulite
All he cares about is that you're comfortable in your skin. No matter how many stretch marks or how much cellulite you have, comfort trumps all of it.
4
Not being perfect
“Women are too stressed to have a good time because they're so focused on setting a particular scene,” says Masini. “Whether it's a romantic bedroom or hot tub scenario, or even their appearance for a date, they're wasting energy. Guys appreciate the broad strokes.” Every wrinkle you obsess over, every candle you insist on rearranging, you're removing yourself from the moment.
5
Leg stubble
He doesn't care about the stubble whatsoever. I'd imagine the only way this would become a turn-off is if you were to let your legs go for quite a while, then look at his and say, “Hey look, we match!” In that moment, he'd probably volunteer to shave them for you. (Actually, that's not a bad idea…)
6
How you prefer to groom down yonder
It doesn't matter how he prefers women groom — and he likely doesn't have a preference. All he cares about is that you're confident about your personal preferences (and you know, that it's clean).
7
Concern about your inner animal
"Spectatoring" is when you're focused on how you might appear during sex from a third person perspective instead of first person. "It's kind of like watching yourself as though you were in a movie rather than in your own skin having the experience firsthand," says Carol Anne Austin, sex educator and psychotherapist at Kimberly Moffit and Associates. This habit increases self-critical thoughts regarding body image and performance anxieties, which puts a Great Wall of China-sized barrier between you and your sexual pleasure.
If you're worried about how you look or sound during sex, just don't. “Women who are more concerned with controlling their behavior in bed are doing themselves a disservice,” says Masini. He doesn't want you to hold back — he wants the exact opposite. Make him proud — even if that means looking like you need an exorcism. Grrr, baby!
8
Hot undies
OK, so laundry day panties aren't the best looking garments in the world, but the only person who'll have a problem with them is you. In all seriousness, they're going to be crumpled up on the floor at warp speed anyway.
I repeat: Men don't care about any of these things. So why should we?
More ways to strut your stuff
3 Easy ways to feel more beautiful every day
7 Simple ways to feel prettier
7 Steps to feeling more glamorous
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Why I actually admire Miley Cyrus
Photo credit: FayesVision/WENN.com
You're not so different after all
Picture yourself when you were Miley's age and make a mental list of all the crazy things you wore/did/said during that time: It's more of a scroll, isn't it?
Now, picture what it would've been like during this period of self-discovery if every move you made was with millions of Judgey McSnotfaces breathing down your neck. Yeah. That's what I thought.
Miley’s one of the most talked about celebs on the planet, and for good reason: She’s loudly broken free of the Hannah Montana shackles and is becoming her own person. You know, just like you and I did once upon a time — so what exactly is all the fuss about? So many people are cringing at her antics, trying to stuff her back into the box they knew and loved her in. Meanwhile, this isn't Peter Pan — it's time to ditch the hypocrisy already.
“It’s so much easier to know who you are when there aren’t a thousand people telling you who they think you are.” – Miley Cyrus
I shudder at a good portion of the things I did during my late teens/early twenties, and I know you do too. It’s the time in your life where you come into your own. You attempt to let go of everything everyone’s trying to get you to be so you can figure out what "being yourself" even means — only, you’re not having to do so with millions of people watching and criticizing everything you do (I know if I did, I’d be curled up in a ball on the floor).
This is Miley’s experimentation period: Instead of being typecast, she’s owning not just who she was, and not just who she’ll be, but the entire transformation in between and isn’t regretting one second of it — how many of us can say the same?
“The greatest opportunities in life come with fear and risk.” – Miley Cyrus
There have been many pop stars before her — Britney, Christina, Rihanna — who all began their careers with a proverbial safety net wrapped around their image, just like Miley did. As they got older, they edged up their looks, wore less and sang riskier songs. It’s a phase that seems to be a rite of passage among pop stars who’ve grown up in the industry and has helped them to identify with who they are as women.
“I’m obsessed with being alone and hearing my thoughts. I’m trying to take this alone time — the five minutes I do have a day — to learn as much as I can.” – Miley Cyrus
Miley’s evolving. It might be in an over-the-top way, but quite honestly I don’t see there being any other way for her to pull off the life she wants: If she were to actually take note of the criticism and backlash, her creative freedom would be stifled. She'd become a cardboard cutout. No, most of us don’t understand how a connection between twerking and giant stuffed bears would ever take place, but that’s how she wants to express herself right now, and she has every right to.
Too many people glamorize what it’s like to be famous because all they see are the millions of dollars in record sales, and the award ceremonies, and the designer duds. They don’t see behind-the-scenes: The grueling travel, the intense rehearsals or the pressure to be “on” 24 hours a day. It’s not just a career: It’s your life. Everything you do and every mistake you make is archived forever.
“I would rather have everything I do be 100 percent honest. I just want to be who I am.” – Miley Cyrus
I admire Miley for the fact that what you see is what you get, and I feel like a lot of backlash is more to do with jealousy than anything else. She’s free to be exactly who she is, while millions of people worldwide are sitting in a cubicle right now, only thinking about the life they want to have. But that’s not her fault: It’s collectively our own.
Miley’s career isn’t luck: It’s hard work. It’s 24/7. She’s free to live on her own terms because she demands that right — and it’s exactly what we should all be doing (except maybe with a little less tongue).
More on ah-mazing stars
Are naked pop stars empowering or degrading to women?
Top 10 empowering Hollywood women
Unsung alpha women of Hollywood
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31 Words to sophisticate your dialect
A word
a day for the glottologist
Don't let Russell Brand have all the fun! Sprinkle these 31 words into your conversations to help you sound smarter and more sophisticated than ever.
Do you want to sound smarter? We're bringing you one word a day for the month of March. The challenge? Use the word of the day in a sentence at least once each day.
Mar. 1
Glottologist
noun
[glo-TOL-uh-jist]
A person who studies language
A true glottologist, Amy was the queen of Scrabble.
Origin: Derived from the Greek glôtta (tongue)
Mar. 2
Cachinnate
verb
[KAK-uh-neyt]
To laugh really loudly; ROTFLMAO
I'm a great cook, but my boyfriend would cachinnate at the thought of my doing the dishes.
Origin: From the Latin cachinnatus (to laugh aloud)
Mar. 3
Glib
adjective
[glib]
Easy in actions or manners, typically in a thoughtless or superficial way
When asked about his history of drug use, Bill Clinton glibly noted that he'd never inhaled.
Origin: Probably a modification of the Low German glibberig (slippery)
Mar. 4
Abomination
noun
[uh-bom-uh-NEY-shuhn]
Something loathed, disliked or abhorred
Joan Rivers put the actress on her worst-dressed list — which isn't surprising. That dress was an abomination!
Origin: From the Latin abominatus (loathed)
Mar. 5
Fidus achates
noun
[FEED-us uh-KAH-tays]
A true friend; BFF
Tracy decided to unfollow everyone on Twitter who wasn't a fidus achates.
Origin: Latin description of the character from Virgil's Aeneid who was the faithful companion of Aeneas
Mar. 6
Sycophant
noun
[SIK-uh-fuhnt, SAHYK-uh-fuhnt]
An individual who flatters another (usually a superior) with the intention of elevating his or her place in the hierarchy or attaining a personal goal; a self-serving parasite
In the Disney version of Robin Hood, the sycophant snake Sir Hiss helps Prince John try to catch Robin Hood.
Origin: From the Greek sykophantes (slanderer)
Mar. 7
Ostentatious
adjective
[os-ten-TEY-shuhs]
Showy or pretentious
RuPaul is well known for her ostentatious outfits.
Origin: From the late Middle English ostentation (to display or exhibit)
Mar. 8
Panacea
noun
[pan-uh-SEE-uh]
A cure-all or universal remedy; a magic potion
Elizabeth's mother seems to believe chicken soup is a panacea.
Origin: From the Greek panakeia (all-healing)
Mar. 9
Ergo
conjunction, adverb
[UR-goh, ER-goh]
Therefore
Kelly dislikes onions; ergo, she will not eat pico de gallo.
Origin: Latin
Mar. 10
Uxorious
adjective
[uhk-SAWR-ee-uhs]
Overly doting or submissive toward one's wife
Margot loves that her husband is so attentive, but others simply find him uxorious.
Origin: From the Latin uxor (wife)
Mar. 11
Adroit
adjective
[ah-DROYT]
Skilled or clever (in a specific skill)
Georgia is an adroit typist, clocking in at an average of 96 words per minute.
Origin: From the Old French a- + droit (straight, just, correct)
Mar. 12
Reciprocity
noun
[res-uh-PROS-i-tee]
Mutual exchange; tit for tat
In the spirit of reciprocity, Kayla bought Steven lunch for his help on her project.
Origin: From the Latin reciproc
Mar. 13
Chatoyant
adjective
[shuh-TOI-uhnt]
An object or material that changes in color or luster
Nancy's eyes were positively chatoyant, appearing either green or blue, depending on the color of her clothes.
Origin: From the French chatoyer (to change in color, as a cat's eye)
Mar. 14
Dalliance
noun
[DAL-ee-uhns, DAL-yuhns]
A brief love affair or flirtation; time spent frivolously
Before proposing to Behati Prinsloo, Adam Levine had a dalliance with model Nina Agdal.
Origin: From the Middle English daliaunce
Up next: More words to sophisticate your dialect >>
{pageBreak}
A word
a day for the glottologist
Don't let Russell Brand have all the fun! Sprinkle these 31 words into your conversations to help you sound smarter and more sophisticated than ever.
Mar. 15
Piquant
adjective
[PEE-kuhnt, -kahnt, pee-KAHNT]
Food that is pungent or sharp in a good way; can be used to describe nonfood nouns in a similar way (to say someone has a piquant wit is to say she is sharply funny)
A good blue cheese has blue streaks and a piquant flavor.
Origin: From the French piquer (to prick)
Mar. 16
Fastidious
adjective
[fa-STID-ee-uhs, fuh-STID-ee-uhs]
Extremely picky, finicky, demanding or critical
Olive usually allows her kids to go to school as they please, but on picture day, she's fastidious with their outfits and hair.
Origin: From the Latin fastidiosus (squeamish)
Mar. 17
Harbinger
noun or verb
[HAHR-bin-jer]
A person who goes ahead to announce the coming of another; something that foreshadows a future event (omen); to act as a harbinger or herald
Rene was convinced her boss' sudden absence was a harbinger of his leaving the firm.
Origin: From the late Middle English herbergere
Mar. 18
Dichotomy
noun
[die-KOT-uh-mee]
Division into two parts, especially those that are contradictory
Given the terrible reviews she'd received for her last three performances, there's obviously a dichotomy between Peggie's aspirations of fame and her abilities as an actress.
Origin: From the Greek dichotomia
Mar. 19
Equivocate
verb
[ih-KWIV-uh-keyt]
To be ambiguous or noncommittal (usually in an attempt to deceive); to beat around the bush
When asked about plans for her birthday, Deirdre's husband was forced to equivocate to avoid spoiling her surprise party.
Origin: From the Latin aequivocatus (ambiguous)
Mar. 20
Denouement
noun
[dey-noo-MAHN]
The resolution of the details of a plot or series of occurrences; the wrap-up
The denouement of The Sopranos left many people speechless.
Origin: From the French
Mar. 21
Ingenue
noun
[AN-zhuh-noo, -nyoo; French pronunciation: an-zhey-NY]
Often referring to a role in theater, a naive young woman (or an actress who specializes in playing such roles)
It's not a surprise Lilly's had her heart broken so many times; she's an ingenue who's attracted to bad boys.
Origin: From the Latin ingenuus (native, inborn)
Mar. 22
Subterfuge
noun
[SUHB-ter-fyooj]
An action intended to hide or misrepresent the true nature of an activity
Jim's subterfuge worked! Deirdre had no idea about her surprise party.
Origin: From the Latin subterfugium (to evade)
Mar. 23
Desultory
adjective
[DES-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]
Unplanned or without definite purpose; inconsistent or disconnected; digressing from the subject
Reagan's desultory behavior is often confusing to her boyfriend.
Origin: From the Latin desultorius (related to a circus performer who jumps from one horse to another)
Mar. 24
Bildungsroman
noun
[BIL-doongz-roh-mahn; German pronunciation: BEEL-doongks-raw-mahn]
A coming-of-age novel; a novel that addresses the development of a young protagonist
The Twilight Saga is a bildungsroman following a young girl who falls in love with and eventually marries a vampire.
Origin: From the German
Mar. 25
Mellifluous
adjective
[muh-LIF-loo-uhs]
The quality of sounding sweet or flowing smoothly
Tessanne Chin's performance of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" was brilliantly mellifluous.
Origin: From the Latin mellifluus
Mar. 26
Miasma
noun
[mahy-AZ-muh, mee-]
Noxious and/or poisonous fumes from organic matter; a dangerous or deathlike influence or atmosphere
Shayne's miasma was suddenly obvious to Kate, who was forced to end their friendship or risk alienating other friends.
Origin: From the Greek miainein (to pollute)
Mar. 27
Zeitgeist
noun
[TSAHYT-gahyst]
A trend of thought or emotion that distinguishes a particular period of time or movement; the spirit of the times
Thea can't understand the zeitgeist of reality television, but none of her friends can get enough of it.
Origin: German
Mar. 28
Iconoclast
noun
[ahy-KON-uh-klast]
Someone who attacks or destroys traditional beliefs or institutions (especially religious ones) as being based on error or superstition
Thea's friend Keith wasn't bothered by her hatred of reality television — he knows Thea's just a serial iconoclast.
Origin: From the Medieval Latin iconoclastes
Mar. 29
Finagle
verb
[fi-NEY-guhl]
To obtain something by means of trickery or manipulation
Michelle managed to finagle a day off without penalty by pretending to be ill in front of her germophobic boss.
Origin: Americanism
Mar. 30
Redolent
adjective
[RED-l-uhnt]
Pleasantly fragrant; reminiscent of
Janet enjoyed awakening to the redolent fragrance of roses outside her window.
Origin: From the Latin redolere (to emit odor)
Mar. 31
Esoteric
adjective
[es-uh-TER-ik]
Obscure or mysterious; cryptic; arcane; taught to a small number of people; private or confidential
No matter how esoteric your interest, there's probably a magazine or website about it.
Origin: From the Greek esoterikós (inner)
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