The Word of the Week for last week was realia. Merriam-Webster Online says that realia are: objects or activities used to relate classroom teaching to real life, especially of peoples studied. So, since I know a fair number of educators and worked in the College of Education at our town’s university, I’m hoping a few of my readers already knew the real meaning of realia. However, it’s a word I did not encounter as an employee there. Now, pedagogy? That’s a word I learned there. We’ll discuss pedagogy some other day.

This week’s Word of the Week is scumble. I love this word. It just sounds fun. And once I learn the real definition, it may have to find its way into my posts as often as plethora. (You’re welcome, DD.)

So, what’s your guess for scumble? Submit a comment below and let me know! Here are my mere attempts:

scumble (skəm-bəl): 1. When a scumbag finally becomes humble, which roughly occurs around the same time as the freezing of Hades. 2. When gang members scatter after a “rumble” 3. When Scots take a tumble from their “highlands”

No fair peeking in the dictionary!

Tomorrow’s Post: Did you read a book this week? Dylan would have. 🙂

Last week’s Word of the Week was kanban. Kanban means “just-in-time.” So, if the kangaroo convention gets canned veggies before its opening, I suppose that will  be kanban. In other words…I wasn’t even close with my definition guesses!

This week’s word is realia. As usual, no fair looking up words online or in an honest-to-goodness dictionary. Just submit your definition below in the comment section and we’ll see who gets closest.

realia (rē-ˈa-lē-ə): 1. The mania that ensues when things get too real. (Can you tell that the master’s in counseling regularly “leaks” into my definition guesses???) 2. regalia that is slightly less regal. 3. the trash that gets deposited on your real estate after a party on Saturday night, even when you weren’t the hosts of the party. (Can you tell that we have some experience with this at our “real estate”?)

So, what is your guess? Make sure you submit it kanban. 🙂

Tomorrow’s Post: What did you do for the Birthday Girl?

Last week’s Word of the Week was heliacal. The PH said that he thought it had something to do with helicopters. Well, at least he’s thinking in the right direction. Heliacal means “relating to or near the sun.” Based on the weather we typically have in Texas, I think we could describe the Lone Star State as heliacal. And my three definitions were completely off the mark!

Today’s Word of the Week is: kanban. Just the mere potential pronunciation of this word causes me to think in some very weird directions! No fair cheating and looking words up in the dictionary! And yes, that means you, PH.

kanban: (ˈkän-ˌbän)1. The restriction of beverage containers in Ketchikan, AK. 2. The lack of canned vegetables at a kangaroo convention 3. The elimination of the University of Kansas in the NCAA Division I basketball tournament (which generally makes Duke University feel better)

Just to be sure I don’t cheat, I don’t look up the pronunciation of the Word of the Week until after I have taken a stab at the definitions (It is way too easy to see the definition when I’m looking up the pronunciation.). Therefore, my definitions may be way off once you see the pronunciation!

So, what’s your definition of kanban? Put it in the comment box below and submit your guess! “Points” for extra creative definitions!

Tomorrow’s Post: What did you do for your 26 Acts of Kindness this week?

The Word of the Week last Monday was: baba. A lot of you wondered if baba was a term of endearment from another language, such as the word for grandmother. Many of you thought it might be Russian or Dutch. MIP readers are sooo smart–baba is a French and Polish word and originally referred to an elderly woman! But, today baba is a rich cake soaked in a rum and sugar syrup. Sounds like something I should refrain from having if I ever want to see some weight loss. *sigh*

This week’s word is: campestral. As usual, submit your guess below and no using a dictionary! If you use a dictionary, I will be forced to hit you with a baba. (I suppose there are worse punishments.) Here are my guesses for campestral:

campestral (kam-ˈpes-trəl) 1. That which pertains to a camping situation. 2. Describing the temporary abode of an extraterrestrial. 3. Where Hilary sends Bill during a Presidential campaign.

Tomorrow’s Post: What did you do for your Act of Kindness this week?