Make Your Point > Archived Issues > GLACIAL

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"GLACIAL" Meaning: "Glacial" can mean either "icy" or "extremely slow or extremely gradual." Pronunciation: GLAY shull Part of speech: Adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like “large” or “late.” They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in “a glacial pace.” 2. After a linking verb, as in "The pace was glacial.”) Other forms: glacially How to use it: For the meaning of "freezing cold like a glacier," talk about glacial stares, glacial silence, a glacial rejection letter, a glacial fake hug, and so on. For the meaning of "super-slow like a glacier," talk about glacial processes, a glacial speed or pace or rate, glacial changes and shifts, etc. With either meaning, you're calling up the image of a glacier (a huge hunk of slow-moving ice) to speak with strong emphasis, even hyperbole. Impulse purchases are rare in our family. We prefer our usual glacial process of researching all the options first. The service at our local Steak 'n Shake back in Texas was hilariously, reliably glacial. Why we kept going back: the milkshakes that you waited 45 minutes for were surprisingly worth it. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "glacial" means when you can explain it without saying "cold" or "sluggish." Think of something that takes way too long, and fill in the blanks: "In a glacial process spanning (a certain amount of time,) _____." Example: "In a glacial process spanning the longest five minutes ever, I filled out every single question on the survey. Was this really worth a coupon for a dollar off the next visit?!" Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: This month, challenge your powers of memory and recall (or just get ready to reign supreme on Wheel of Fortune) as we play with two-word phrases that you’ll find in a dictionary. We’ll start off with easy tasks and advance to harder ones as the month goes on. See the right answer to each question the following day. You might even see a new phrase that inspires your curiosity and makes you look it up. Have fun! (Note: Every dictionary recognizes a different set of two-word phrases. I used the OED to make these game questions.) Yesterday's question: You’ll see the second word of each phrase, along with a blank line hinting at the length of the first word. See how many of them you can think of: ______ point _______ point ______ point ________ point ________ point ___-___ point ____ point _______ point ________ point ___________ point ____ point _____ point ____ point ___ point ___ point ____ point ____ point __________ point ____ point Answers: (As before, you may have thought of even more phrases ending with “point” than I listed below, due to differences in our dictionaries, and in me being selective when building my list!) access point Brownie point bullet point bursting point critical point cut-off point data point decimal point demerit point exclamation point fair point focal point high point key point low point moot point pain point percentage point plot point Try this one today: You’ll see the first word of each phrase, along with a blank line hinting at the length of the second word. See how many of them you can think of: class ____ class _________ class __________ class ______ class _________ class _________ class _________ class ______   A Point Well Made: Groucho Marx: “I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.” 1. One opposite of GLACIAL is A. TASTY B. WARM C. SMALL 2. These changes may be evidence of a glacial _____, or they may simply be due to _____. A. shift .. random error B. revolution .. local traditions C. epiphany .. the influence of drugs Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. B 2. A Exploring the archives: It's easy to see why today's "glacial" (meaning freezing or slow) is related to "glacier," a hunk of slow-moving ice. Could you recall these other nature-inspired words? - To be_____ something is to cover it up or hide it. - Something ____ish is cheerful and bright, like a ray of sunlight. - A g___ is a strong outburst of something, like a big rush of wind.