Word for Wednesday: Z words

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This week we’ll be expanding your vocabulary with three words beginning with the letter ‘Z’.

How many can ‘Z’ words can you think of (no Zebra’s allowed!)?

Firstly, let’s start with the evocative word ‘zephyr’.
Zephyr comes from the Greek ‘zephyros’ meaning ‘the west wind’. This ancient meaning remains but has expanded to include any light breeze or lightweight article of clothing. Lovely.

Next on the menu is the delicious Italian snack, 'zeppoli'!
A zeppoli or zeppole is a deep-fried, spherical pastry rather like a doughnut. These are usually topped with powdered sugar and are especially popular in Rome and Naples.

Finally, a favourite word of mine, the bizarre: ‘zany’.
Zany means ‘amusingly unconventional’ and is synonymous with ‘weird’, ‘quirky’ and ‘eccentric’. However, it is worth bearing in mind that ‘zany’ is rarely meant as a compliment, so do be careful!

How many other ‘Z’ words can you find?

Hugh MacDermott

ps. The shortest we found was ‘za’ which is the ludicrously lazy abbreviation of ‘pizza’

 


20 May 2015
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