Make Your Point > Archived Issues > SEUSSIAN

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connect today's word to others: "So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's  a Great Balancing Act." That's Dr. Seuss, of course, a.k.a. Theodor Geisel, giving us some Seussian rhyme and Seussian advice. And if you have time for a 20-second video, enjoy some Seussian hilarity. Most dictionaries don't list the word Seussian; I found it only in Merriam-Webster. Let's see how long it takes the others to catch up! I'm looking at you, OED. Here are two similar adjectives we've checked out: see if you can explain what it means when you call something Kafkaesque or Dahlesque. make your point with... "SEUSSIAN" Seussian things remind you of Dr. Seuss's stories and/or illustrations.  To be more specific, Seussian things are full of color, whimsy, rhythm, repetition, invented words, contraptions, gentle wisdom, objects in gravity-defying stacks, and/or objects leaning at impossible angles. Pronunciation: SOO see un Part of speech: Proper adjective: you always capitalize it. (Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late." They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in "a Seussian thing" or "a Seussian person." 2. After a linking verb, as in "It was Seussian" or "He was Seussian.") Other forms: none How to use it: Even though most dictionaries don't acknowledge "Seussian" as a word, you should use it fearlessly because everyone will know what you mean--every one of us has been touched by Dr. Seuss's work--and because it's so wonderfully specific. "Seussian" lets you instantly tap into the entire attitude conveyed by a Seuss story: that "youthful artistic openness," in the words of Steven Brezzo, a past director at the San Diego Museum of Art. He explains: "Every page was a new and stimulating visual adventure with an endless variety of amusing creatures and expressionistic sets. Like his stories, his text illustrations were a poke in the eye of literary and artistic convention.” So, when something pokes you in the eye (or ear or heart) à la Dr. Seuss, call it Seussian. You might talk about Seussian art, imagery, and illustrations; Seussian rhyme and wordplay; Seussian wisdom and allegory (in case y'all didn't know, Yertle the Turtle was totally Hitler); Seussian objects and architecture; Seussian wit, logic, and wisdom, and so on. examples: IKEA's Mammut wardrobe for kids is decidedly Seussian, with its blocks of royal and pastel blue, its wacky irregular shape, and its comically oversized knob. Every time Tim Burton makes a movie, it's like he asked himself, "How can I make this Seussian, yet dark and disturbing?" study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "Seussian" means when you can explain it without saying "endearing" or "outlandish." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "(A specific part or feature) gives (something) its Seussian (flair, sound, whimsy, or appearance)." Example: "The tilt of the trees gives this painting its Seussian whimsy." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. This month, we're playing "Game of Games!" Guess the one-word title of each board game, using your knowledge of vocabulary. From our previous issue:  Designed by Martin Wallace, this game is for two players, who take on the role of Britain and France: enemies fighting for control of the land. The most general meaning of the title is "a total defeat: in other words, a crushing, decisive, final defeat." It's pictured below, with the title blurred out. What game is this? Answer: Waterloo. Check out the game here and the word here. Try this today:  Designed by Matt Tolman, this game has players mining for resources on alien planets. The title means "ruining, weakening, or working against things in a sneaky way, as if you're digging a tunnel under them so they'll cave in." It's pictured below, with the title blurred out. What game is this? review today's word: 1. A close opposite of SEUSSIAN is A. COLORLESS. B. UNENDING. C. ABSTRACT. 2. The musical opens on a Seussian _____. A. whirling of dancers and tooting of horns B. hero brooding on the ledge of an office building C. and staid living room, curtains drawn, dim and silent Answers are below. a final word: Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each weekday morning by Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. From Liesl's blog:    36 ways to study words.    Why we forget words, & how to remember them.    How to use sophisticated words without being awkward. To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. A 2. A