Stumping

The stump is what is left in the ground after you cut down or top a tree. According to the dictionary the word Stumping means to reduce a tree to a stump, to truncate or lop.  Stumping also refers to walking heavily, as if you have a wooden leg.  Stumping is also a term used in the sport of cricket. 

In politics, stumping is when the candidate goes on the campaign trail delivering speeches and participating in rallies.  The use of the word in politic’s came about in the 19th century, because a stump was considered a useful platform from which to deliver a speech. 

Right now there is a whole lot of stumping going on and it won’t let up until election day.  Clinton is stumping for Obama, Eastwood is stumping for Romney, Ryan is stumping in Colorado and Michelle Obama is stumping in Racine.  We are in the final leg of the race and right now it appears that the candidates are neck and neck.   

For many of us, political stumping is entertainment at it’s finest as the two candidates battle it out before the camera’s. 

Here are some quotes using the word: 

“A hypocrite is the kind of politician who would cut down a redwood tree, then mount the stump and make a speech for conservation” Adlai Stevenson 

“The best time to listen to a politician is when he is on a stump on the street corner in the rain late at night when he is exhausted. Then he doesn’t lie”  Theodore White

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 6TH!

Jeremiah

Jeremiah (noun) means a person who complains about everything and is pessimistic about the future. It is someone who is always focused on doom and gloom.  

It also is a book in the bible written by the Hebrew prophet by the same name.  Jeremiah became known as the weeping prophet, as he correctly prophesied the destruction of Judah by Babylon. He warned that if the people did not change their sinful ways of living that they would be scattered from their homeland.  Babylon took over and ruled Judah for seventy years before people of Judah were able to return home.  

This is painting from the Sistine chapel depicting Jeremiah by Michelangelo.

Perhaps we should listen to the Jeremiah’s of today a little more carefully before dismissing them so quickly.  

Colloquialism

Colloquialism (noun) is an informal expression; words, phrases and aphorisms that are common in conversation, that differs by region and not used in formal speech. It is similar to an Idiom, but different from  Jargon or Slang. Colloquial language is unacceptable in formal writing or speech. The following are examples of colloquial words, phrases and aphorisms.

Words: wanna, gonna, y'all, gotta,

Phrases: "old as the hills", "raining cats and dogs", "dead as a doornail", "kicked the bucket", "rubs me the wrong way", "say what"  

Aphorism (a short pithy expression) : "It ain't over till the fat lady sings",  "There's more than one way to skin a cat", "A good man is hard to find", "A friend in need is a friend indeed"

Here is an example of colloquial language in literature: 

Excerpt from Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain

"I didn't want to go back no more.  I had stopped cussing, because the widow didn't like it; but now I took to it again because pap hadn't no objections...but by-and-by pap got too handy with his hick'ry and I couldn't stand it.  I was all over with welts.  He got to going away so much, too, and locking me in.  Once he locked me and was gone three days.  It was dreadful lonesome."  

If you listen carefully, you will recognize the use of colloquial language every day.  See how many words or phrases you can pick up today!

Omnipotent

Omnipotent is an adjective (Middle English - 13th century) that means having unlimited, universal authority and power. The word is used most often to describe the authority of God, the Almighty.

Not to be confused with Omnipresent or Omniscient. Omnipresent means being present everywhere at the same time.  Omniscient means having complete, unlimited knowledge or understanding; perceiving all things.

The concept behind these three words can be difficult to understand, yet most of us believe in some form of higher power, whether it be God, or other deity. Many believe that god is all three. Perhaps this is because the world and life is far to complicated for our minds to comprehend.

Some good words to ponder.  Here are how a few people have used these words:

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated failures. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.  Calvin Coolidge

“Nature is too thin a screen; the glory of the omnipresent God burst through everywhere”  Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

“Mystery is another name for our ignorance; if we were omniscient, all would be perfectly plain”  

Tyron Edwards (1809-1894)