Make Your Point > Archived Issues > WATCHWORD

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"WATCHWORD" Pronunciation: WATCH word 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 watchword or multiple watchwords.) Meaning: A watchword is a secret password. Also, a watchword can be a word or phrase that you say either to rally support for your cause or to express your most important idea. Other forms: watchwords How to use it: When you mean that a certain word expresses the most important concept for something or the most important focus for something, then talk about that word being the watchword, being their watchword, being his/her watchword, etc. Something can be the watchword for something, among a group of people, at a place, and so on. And you'll often use the future tense: something will be the watchword, or something will become the watchword. Concision will be the watchword when I go to revise my wordy, cluttered website. He listed the watchwords for his newly designed brand of clothing: classy, laid-back, and effortless. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "watchword” means when you can explain it without saying “slogan" or “statement of principle." Think of a time you thought, "Hmm, this really needs to change" or "Hmm, this really needs to be refocused," then fill in the blanks: "_____ should be the watchword for _____, not _____ like it is now." Example: "Quality should be the watchword for David's writing practice, not length, like it is now." 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: Our game for May is:  “What Do These Words Have in Common?” The three words given will have something specific in common. (More than one right answer might be possible, but I've only got one particular answer in mind for each set of words.) I've arranged the questions from easiest to hardest, so today’s should be very difficult.    From yesterday: What do these words have in common?: cantaloupe, bayonet, satin Answer: All are names for things that are derived from the names of places: cantaloupe (from Cantalupo, Italy), bayonet (from Bayonne, France) and satin (from Tzu-t’ing, China, called Zaitun by Marco Polo.) Try this one today: bras, princes, saltines A Point Well Made: Unknown: “Accept the apologies that are never given." 1. The closest opposite of WATCHWORD is A. PROMISE B. ANTITHESIS C. RECITATION 2. _____ remains the company's watchword despite consumer demand for various add-ons and features. A. Simplicity B. Customer service  C. Product expansion 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