Make Your Point > Archived Issues > SCATTERSHOT

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explore the archives: Y'all, I love the word scattershot. It reminds me of an old cartoon cowboy firing in all directions while yeehawing. But let's be less literal. If you're c____cious, often changing your mind in a spontaneous, unpredictable way, you'll love scattershot, too. It describes your passing interests, your random on-again-off-again hobbies, and maybe your whole approach to life. make your point with... "SCATTERSHOT" Like it sounds, literal scattershot is the shot inside a gun that fires off in a random pattern. Figuratively, scattershot things cover a broad range but in a random way. We can also look at it this way. Sometimes you aim, you focus, you set your sights and shoot with precision. Your method is pinpointed. But other times--keep this gun metaphor going--you fire in all directions. Your method is scattershot. Pronunciation: SCAT er shot 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 scattershot thing." 2. After a linking verb, as in "It was scattershot.") Other forms: none How to use it: Compared to "indiscriminate" and "haphazard," "scattershot" provides a concrete image of reckless randomness. You can use this word without worrying if your listeners know it, since it defines itself. So, talk about scattershot approaches and methods, something with a scattershot distribution or a scattershot record, scattershot positions and messages, scattershot efforts and work, scattershot interest and curiosity, and so on. examples: I've made some scattershot efforts to understand their point of view, none of which changed mine. These kids had lackluster grades and scattershot attendance, and no one was doing anything about it. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "scattershot" means when you can explain it without saying "like bullets sprayed all over the place" or "random and sloppy." try it out: Think of something that interests you only sometimes. Fill in the blank: "I've taken a scattershot interest in _____." Example: "I've taken a scattershot interest in cooking." 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 with anagrams: rearrangements of the letters in a word to form new words. (For example, “care” has two anagrams: “acre” and “race.”) Looking for these makes you a stronger player in other word games. But more importantly, it helps you practice thinking flexibly and methodically. Plus you get to giggle at potential non-words and discover new real words. We’ll work our way from shorter to longer anagrams. And at any point if you wonder why I left out a word you wanted to list, or why I included a word you think isn’t a real one, hold your fire: our authority for this game is ScrabbleWordFinder.org, which draws from a highly inclusive dictionary. Let’s play! From yesterday: What is the 1 anagram for CURDS? Answer: CRUDS. (Slang for "despicable people," and an older version of "curds.") Try this one today: What is the 1 anagram for TULIP? review today's word: 1. The opposite of SCATTERSHOT is A. RESTRAINED B. STRONG-ARMED C. TARGETED 2. The museum features quaint _____ of scattershot cell phone _____ from the early 90's. A. replicas .. models B. maps .. coverage C. photographs .. screens Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@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. C 2. B