Make Your Point > Archived Issues > GALLIVANTING

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"GALLIVANTING" Pronunciation: GAL uh vant ing Part of speech: Intransitive verb. (Like “sleep,” “skydive,” and “succeed,” all intransitive verbs show complete action on their own and do not do action to an object. You sleep, you skydive, you succeed, and that’s it. You don’t “sleep a bed,” “skydive a plane,” or “succeed a plan”. Likewise, you gallivant, or gallivant around, or go gallivanting, etc.) Meaning: To gallivant is to go wandering around in order to have a good time. Gallivanting can also mean, more specifically, wandering around to have fun with members of the opposite gender. But it doesn't have to carry that specific meaning. Other forms: The form we see most often is "gallivanting." It's a verb ("He's off gallivanting around the city") but also a noun ("I'm sick of her gallivanting and wish she'd settle down") as well as an adjective ("His gallivanting lifestyle would wear me out.") You can talk about a gallivanter--the person who goes gallivanting--but that word seems to be rare. How to use it: Pick this word when you want to strike a funny, old-fashioned tone. Talk about someone gallivanting, gallivanting somewhere, gallivanting around, gallivanting off to somewhere, gallivanting through somewhere, gallivanting in some place, or just going out gallivanting. Your meaning can be concrete ("The kids are gallivanting around the mall") or abstract ("After I downed six Diet Cokes, my mind gallivanted from one crazy idea to the next.") And your tone can be positive ("She treasured her memories of gallivanting around Europe") or negative ("She's known for gallivanting and can't be trusted to make a commitment.") My first-semester grades in college reflect the fact that I should have done a bit more studying and a bit less gallivanting. Our cousin and his wife love to go gallivanting all over the world--it seems they live for vacations-- but now they want to start a family. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "gallivanting” means when you can explain it without saying “romping” or “living it up." Think of the last fun vacation you took, and fill in the blanks: "I/We went gallivanting all over _____ and especially loved _____." Example : "We went gallivanting all over the cute town and beaches of South Padre Island and especially loved eating dinner on the rooftop of a brewery." 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: Maria Popova: "Yes, people sometimes do horrible things, and we can speculate about why they do them until we run out of words and sanity. But evil only prevails when we mistake it for the norm. There is so much goodness in the world – all we have to do is remind one another of it, show up for it, and refuse to leave." 1. The opposite of GALLIVANTING is A. ATTACKING B. VACATING C. HOMEMAKING 2. Chris realized it might be time to quit gallivanting when he _____ A. had to replace his entire collection of tools, which had rusted outdoors. B. splashed an entire glass of iced tea on himself while gesturing wildly at dinner. C. woke up dazed and confused in a planter in Singapore. 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. C 2. C