Make Your Point > Archived Issues > ZERO HOUR

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"ZERO HOUR" Pronunciation: Just like you'd expect: "ZEE row OW er." Part of speech: Countable noun. (Countable nouns, like “bottle,” “piece,” and “decision,” are words for things that can be broken into exact units. You talk about “a bottle,” “three pieces,” and “many decisions.” Likewise, talk about one zero hour or multiple zero hours, but we usually use the singular: zero hour.) Meaning: Zero hour is the scheduled starting time for something important. More loosely, zero hour is a really important, decisive point in time. (Imagine the tension and excitement as you count down to something's blastoff: 3, 2, 1, zero hour!) Other common forms: Even though it's a noun ("It's zero hour now, let's do this!"), you can also use it loosely as an adjective ("zero hour glitches," "zero hour cancellations.") How to use it: Talk about determining zero hour or setting zero hour, the countdown to zero hour, approaching zero hour, hitting zero hour, being at zero hour, "It's zero hour for (something)" or just "It's the zero hour! Go!", delaying zero hour, a policy in existence since zero hour, mistakes made from zero hour, and so on. It was zero hour, the first day of internship, and I was mostly excited and just a tiny bit terrified. "Make Your Point" was in the works for many months, during which I finally determined zero hour: the first issue went out on January 1st, 2015. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "zero hour” means when you can explain it without saying “blast off time” or “critical time." Think of something you anxiously waited for, and fill in the blanks: "At zero hour for _____, I _____." Example : "At zero hour for the showing of the movie Serenity, I was barely sitting still in a theater, surrounded by maybe twenty of my equally giddy friends." 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's game content is protected by a copyright, so I can't reprint the trivia questions here--but check out the challenging, endlessly entertaining game; it's called Moot! A Point Well Made: Terry Pratchett, via his character Reaper Man: "No one is actually dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away.” 1. The opposite of ZERO HOUR is A. PREP TIME B. END TIME C. PARTY TIME 2. A zero hour cancellation _____ A. allows plenty of time to fill the opening. B. causes frustration and wasted time. C. is a sign of courtesy. 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. B