… in reverse chronological order.
Word Prize was won by Rod Hulme with TEENER for 14 points.
The "G" Bingo was not won this week.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Lynette Stewart with QUERY for 52 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Lynette Stewart was the highest winner of the evening with 416 points.
The highest loss was Terry Aitken with 365 points.
Word Prize was won by Carmen Beck with EX for 56 points.
The "G" Bingo was not won this week.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Carmen Beck with EX for 56 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Henry de Young was the highest winner of the evening with 494 points.
The highest loss was Henry de Young with 393 points.
Word Prize was won by Rod Hulme with ENCHANTS for 92 points.
The "F" Bingo was won by Terry Aitken with INFARES for 76 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Henry de Young with ZITI for 71 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Matt Schlegel was the highest winner of the evening with 529 points.
The highest loss was Lynette Stewart with 354 points.
Word Prize was won by Helen Devitt with BOY for 21 points.
The "F" Bingo was not won this week.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Carmen Beck with SQUIRE for 73 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Henry de Young was the highest winner of the evening with 458 points.
The highest loss was Lynette Stewart with 358 points.
Word Prize was won by Nancy Kuhlman with CURLY for 30 points.
The "E" Bingo was won by Walter Cates with BREEDING for 109 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Terry Aitken with QUICK and Helen Devitt with ZONED for 39 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Henry de Young was the highest winner of the evening with 410 points.
The highest loss was Terry Aitken with 344 points.
Word Prize was not won this week.
The "D" Bingo was won by Lynette Stewart with FOISTED for 97 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Henry de Young with FLAX for 64 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Henry de Young was the highest winner of the evening with 464 points.
The highest loss was Terry Aitken with 447 points.
Word Prize was won by Matt Schlegel with OVERAGE for 85 points.
The "C" Bingo was won by Lynette Stewart with CORNERS for 70 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Matt Schlegel with AZOTE for 75 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Lynette Stewart was the highest winner of the evening with 429 points.
The highest loss was Terry Aitken with 398 points.
Word Prize was won by Lynette Stewart with BONNIEST for 89 points.
The "B" Bingo was won byLynette StewartwithBONNIESTfor 89 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Lisa Kilpis with PRIZE for 59 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Lynette Stewart was the highest winner of the evening with 476 points.
The highest loss was Terry Aitken with 373 points.
Word Prize was won by Matt Schlegel with ACETIFY for 82 points.
The "A" Bingo was won by Matt Schlegel with ACETIFY for 82 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Lynette Stewart with QUICK for 78 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Matt Schlegel was the highest winner of the evening with 515 points.
The highest loss was Terry Aitken with 377 points.
Word Prize was not won this week.
The "A" Bingo was not won this week.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Lynette Stewart with LAZIES for 75 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Sandra Lavallee was the highest winner of the evening with 399 points.
The highest loss was Lisa Kilpis with 311 points.
Word Prize was won by Rod Hulme with CANOODLE for 74 points.
The "Z" Bingo was won by Terry Aitken with BRONZES for 75 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Helen Devitt with JERKS for 55 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Henry de Young was the highest winner of the evening with 436 points.
The highest loss was Rod Hulme with 379 points.
Word Prize was won by Mary Lou Bennett with VAPOR for 20 points.
The "Z" Bingo was not wonthis week.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Lynette Stewart with ZEDS for 48 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Lynette Stewart was the highest winner of the evening with 436 points.
The highest loss was Mary Lou Bennett with 374 points.
Word Prize was won by Sandra Lavallee with BURNS for 31 points.
The "Z" Bingo was not won this week.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Carmen Beck with ZAS
and Sandra Lavallee with QUIN for 50 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Terry Aitken was the highest winner of the evening with 507 points.
The highest loss was Carmen Beck with 335 points.
Word Prize was won by Lisa Kilpis with TRENCH for 33 points.
The "Z" Bingo was not won this week.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Matt Schlegel with ZA for 66 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Henry de Young was the highest winner of the evening with 465 points.
The highest loss was Rod Hulme with 399 points.
Word Prize was won by Lynette Stewart with AUNTIES for 64 points.
The "Y" Bingo was won by Lisa Kilpis with DECAYED for 71 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Lisa Kilpis with QUEST for 50 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Henry de Young was the highest winner of the evening with 436 points.
The highest loss was Terry Aitken with 382 points.
Word Prize was won by David Fowler with MEANING for 10 points.
The "X" Bingo was won by Lynette Stewart with INDEXES for 87 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Lynette Stewart with LEX for 53 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Henry de Young was the highest winner of the evening with 475 points.
The highest loss was Lynette Stewart with 417 points.
Word Prize was won by Lynette Stewart with GAG for 32 points.
The "X" Bingo was not won.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Lynette Stewart with ZINGY for 76 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Terry Aitken was the highest winner of the evening with 504 points.
The highest loss was Lynette Stewart with 473 points.
Word Prize was won by Terry Aitken with ELATIONS and
Matt Schlegel with REOILED for 61 points.
The "W" Bingo was won by Lynette Stewart with WICKETS for 97 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Elin Becker with OX for 50 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Matt Schlegel was the highest winner of the evening with 445 points.
The highest loss was Terry Aitken with 389 points.
Word Prize was won by Rod Hulme with ARIETTES for 58 points.
The "W" Bingo was not won.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Lynette Stewart with SLANG for 44 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Henry de Young was the highest winner of the evening with 449 points.
The highest loss was Lynette Stewart with 390 points.
Word Prize was won by Rod Hulme with ETOILES for 80 points.
The "W" Bingo wasnot won.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Lynette Stewart with OX for 56 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Rod Hulme was the highest winner of the evening with 472 points.
The highest loss was Henry de Young with 385 points.
Word Prize was won by Rod Hulme with SENARII for 80 points.
The "W" Bingo was not won.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Lynette Stewart with FAX for 62 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Terry Airken was the highest winner of the evening with 498 points.
The highest loss was Terry Aitken with 394 points.
Word Prize was won by Terry Aitken with SMARTEN for 73 points.
The "V" Bingo was won by Lynette Stewart with EVASION
and Terry Aitken with ADVERSE for 66 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Matt Schlegel with ZEIN for 78 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Matt Schlegel was the highest winner of the evening with 505 points.
The highest loss was Lynette Stewart with 368 points.
Word Prize was won by Rod Hulme with ETAMINES for 60 points.
The "U" Bingo was won by Henry de Young with TOLUENE for 64 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Rod Hulme with AZONZ for 72 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Henry de Young was the highest winner of the evening with 439 points.
The highest loss was Carmen Beck with 394 points.
Word Prize was won by Matt Schlegel with SOUTAINE for 64 points.
The "T" Bingo was won by Lynette Stewart with OUTWITS for 82 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Henry de Young with JANE for 77 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Henry de Young was the highest winner of the evening with 428 points.
The highest loss was Lynette Stewart with 353 points.
Word Prize was won by Matt Schlegel with INTERAGE for 72 points.
The "S" Bingo was won by Matt Schlegel with FINALES for 83 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was not won this week.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Henry de Young was the highest winner of the evening with 543 points.
The highest loss was Lynette Stewart with 358 points.
Word Prize was won by Rod Hulme with FROWSY for 23 points.
The "R" Bingo was won by Rod Hulme with BORIDES for 90 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Helen Devitt with SALAD for 56 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Rod Hulme was the highest winner of the evening with 447 points.
The highest loss was Rod Hulme with 400 points.
Word Prize was won by Rod Hulme with FROSTED for 92 points.
The "Q" Bingo was won by Rod Hulme with MESQUIT for 97 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Sandra Lavallee with HOARSE for 73 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Henry de Young was the highest winner of the evening with 444 points.
The highest loss was Rod Hulme with 374 points.
Word Prize was won by Matt Schlegel with SITUATE for 78 points.
The "P" Bingo was won by Lynette Stewart with STAMPED for 75 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Lisa Kilpis with DOZIER for 89 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was won by Lisa Kilpis who improved her best score to 503 points.
Lisa Kilpis was the highest winner of the evening with 503 points.
The highest loss was Elin Becker with 348 points.
Word Prize was won by Henry de Young with PARIETES for 74 points.
The "O" Bingo was won by Rod Hulme with LONGEST for 87 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Henry de Young with BLAZE for 78 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Terry Aitken was the highest winner of the evening with 521 points and the highest loss was also Terry Aitken with 350 points.
Interesting Opposites
Here are two pairs of antonyms that have caught my eye. The first pair, CAREFUL (cautious) and DAREFUL (brave) is interesting not only because they rhyme, but also because the second word is seldom-seen.
The second pair is intriguing because of their meanings, which give quite a study in psychology: PLACEBO (a substance containing no medication that is given for its psychological effect), and NOCEBO (a harmless substance that induces harmful effects in patients having negative expectations).
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fifth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Andrew Hocking with CUBES for 19 points.
The "N" Bingo was won by Rod Hulme with JENNETS for 92 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Lisa Kilpis with OXO for 56 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was won by Matt Schlegel who improved his best score to 649 points.
Matt Schlegel was the highest winner of the evening with 649 points.
The highest loss was Terry Aitken with 398 points.
Two New Homonym Pairs
Here are two interesting homonym pairs, each containing a familiar word followed by a brand-new word from the new Scrabble lexicon for 2015:
SWIRL (to move with a whirling motion) and SQUIRL (an ornamental curve in handwriting), and
PASSKEY (a key that opens several different locks) and PACZKI (a round doughnut with a filling).
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fifth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Lynette stewart with OUTWITS for 65 points.
The "M" Bingo was won by Henry de Young with SEAMIER for 88 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Helen Devitt with ZEE for 72 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Henry de Young was the highest winner of the evening with 539 points.
The highest loss was Terry Aitken with 393 points.
Rhymers (8)
Now that the new Scrabble words for 2015 are in effect, I thought I would finish off the discussion of rhyming words with three rhyming pairs of words, one familiar and one brand new in each:
ROADIES (persons who work for travelling entertainers) and COADIES (sauces made from molasses),
AEONIC (everlasting) and PAEONIC (relating to a metrical foot of four syllables), and
ROBED (covered with a robe, a long, loose outer garment) and STROBED (having produced brief, high-intensity flashes of light).
I hope you found the theme of rhyming words useful.
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fifth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Carmen Beck with LIQUID for 30 points.
The "J" Bingo was won by Terry Aitken with JUNCTION for 80 points.
The "L" Bingo was won by Carmen Beck with BUNDLES for 75 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Matt Schlegel with VICED for 58 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Henry de Young was the highest winner of the evening with 521 points.
The highest loss was Terry Aitken with 396 points.
Rhymers (7)
In the last few weeks, I have given examples of rhyming word groups that either create little "stories" or produce rhyming words from front hooks, both of which can sometimes be quite lengthy.
Most often, however, the Scrabble lexicon contains rhyming words that occur in just pairs or triples that make each other memorable, such as CARIOLE (a small, open carriage), DARIOLE (a type of pastry filled with cream, custard or jelly) and VARIOLE (a small, shallow anatomical depression) – a group that can be quite useful for bingos – or HOKUM (nonsense) and LOCUM (a temporary substitute).
Since they rhyme, they are reminders of each other, which can be very useful for learning and remembering, especially if one or more of the words is unusual.
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fifth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Rod Hulme with OUTLIER for 67 points.
The "J" Bingo was not won.
The "K" Bingo was won by Matt Schlegel with KINDLERS for 92 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Rod Hulme with LOQUAT for 75 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Matt Schlegel was the highest winner of the evening with 569 points.
The highest loss was Mary Lou Bennett with 354 points.
Rhymers (6)
Last week's example showed rhyming words made from the front hooks for ITHER (meaning other). This week's word group is formed from the front hooks for AIRED (exposed to the air, the mixture of gases that surrounds the earth):
FAIRED (made smooth), HAIRED (having hair), LAIRED (having lived in a lair), PAIRED (arranged in sets of two) and WAIRED (spent). Such a rhyming group can work well for learning both the front hooks and some unusual words.
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fifth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Terry Aitken with SIMULATE for 61 points.
The "J" Bingo was not won.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Lynette Stewart with VOUCH for 54 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Sandra Lavallee was the highest winner of the evening with 471 points.
The highest loss was Lynette Stewart with 446 points.
Rhymers (5)
Learning front hooks always involves words that rhyme. As well as the front hooks themselves, you can also learn some unfamiliar words from such groups. For example, the front hooks for the unusual word ITHER (meaning other) are CITHER (a pear-shaped guitar), DITHER (to act nervously or indecisively), MITHER (mother) and ZITHER (a stringed instrument). They go together well for learning purposes. TITHER (one that pays a tithe, a small tax) is a front hook for ITHER as well, but they don't rhyme with each other.
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fifth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Lynette Stewart with HILL for 42 points.
The "J" Bingo was not won.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Terry Aitken with PIP for 58 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Matt Schlegel was the highest winner of the evening with 456 points.
The highest loss was Lynette Stewart with 350 points.
Rhymers (4)
Last week I gave an example of learning new words by creating a set of rhyming words that forms a little "story" if you're free and easy with their meanings. Another such example is FETA BETA GETA SETA, because KETA META WETA ZETA. (It makes sense to me, at least.)
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fifth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Rod Hulme with STAY for 52 points.
The "J" Bingo was not won.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Sandra Lavallee with HAHAS for 66 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Lynette Stewart was the highest winner of the evening with 473 points.
The highest loss was Terry Aitken with 337 points.
Rhymers (3)
If you put words into rhyming groups, they sometimes form little stories that make them even more memorable. You'll have to take liberties with their meanings to make these work, however! One such "story", comprised of four-letter words, is TELE PELE that SYLI HILI PILI is EELY, ILLY, PILY and WILY. (This works for me, anyway.)
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fifth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Matt Schlegel with FLOATIER for 78 points.
The "J" Bingo was not won.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Lynette Stewart with NIX for 63 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Terry Aitken was the highest winner of the evening with 569 points.
The highest loss was Matt Schlegel with 371 points.
Rhymers (2)
I find that learning new words from alphabetized lists can be challenging. The words come to mind more easily if they are put into groups that rhyme instead. You might find this also works for you. One example is the four-letter word group AKEE, KAKI, MAKI, RAKI and SAKI.
If you're somewhat obsessive and think of the list as two-syllable words instead, you could add ACKEE, BACCY, HACKEE, JACKY, KHAKI, LACKEY, LACQUEY, MAQUI, TACKY and WHACKY to this list as well. Notice how many of the words are unusual!
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fifth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Rod Hulme with ARTICLE for 68 points.
The "J" Bingo was not won.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Rod Hulme with ZOWIE for 74 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Matt Schlegel was the highest winner of the evening with 481 points.
The highest loss was Henry de Young with 357 points.
Rhymers (1)
Related to the latest theme of homonyms, you may also find devising lists of words that rhyme together to be effective in learning new words. Again, rhyming pairs often contain a familiar word and an unfamiliar word. Three example pairs are MUTANT (something that undergoes mutation) and NUTANT (an adjective meaning drooping), BROMINE (a volatile liquid element) and PROMINE (a substance that promotes growth), and HAMLET (a small town) and SAMLET (a young salmon). I'll continue this theme in the next few weeks.
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fifth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Carmen Beck with PHLOX for 38 points.
The "J" Bingo was not won.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Matt Schlegel with JISM for 65 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Matt Schlegel was the highest winner of the evening with 516 points.
The highest loss was Lynette Stewart with 418 points.
Homonyms (5)
To conclude (for now) the recent theme of homonyms, here are three more groups that you might add to a study list: VISCOUS (having relatively high resistance to flow) and VISCUS (an internal organ). PINION (to remove or bind the wing feathers of a bird to prevent flight), PINYIN and PINYON (both meaning a system for romanizing Chinese ideograms). BORN (having particular qualities from birth), BORNE (a past participle of bear) and BOURN and BOURNE (both meaning a stream). I shall return to this theme in the future.
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fifth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Rod Hulme with OXTERS & Terry Aitken with ZOEAL for 58 points.
The "I" Bingo was won by Matt Schlegel with STRIDING for 149 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Andrew Hocking with BIZ for 34 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was won by Lorraine Lamont with 516 points.
Lorraine Lamont was the highest winner of the evening with 516 points.
The highest loss was Terry Aitken with 388 points.
Homonyms (4)
Continuing the recent theme, here are further examples of pairs of homonyms, the first word common and the second much less familiar: RUDEST (most discourteous or impolite) and RUDIST (a cone-shaped extinct mollusc). POUTER (one that protrudes the lips in ill humour) and POWTER (a domestic pigeon). WHEAT (a cereal grass) and WEET (to know). SERIOUS (thoughtful or subdued in appearance or manner) and CEREUS ( a tall cactus).
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fifth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Lynette Stewart with SPRINTS for 83 points.
The "H" Bingo was won by Rod Hulme with HINTERS for 100 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Helen Devitt with QUAI for 63 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Henry de Young was the highest winner of the evening with 439 points.
The highest loss was Helen Devitt with 332 points.
Homonyms (3)
Quite often the Scrabble lexicon contains sets of homonyms comprised of three, four and more words. Adding these to a list on index cards can make for useful studying.
Here are some examples of sets of four words each: BOOGIE (to dance to rock music), BOOGEY (to boogie), BOOGY to boogie) and BOUGIE (a wax candle). CHOW (to eat), CIAO (an expression of greeting and farewell), CHAO (a monetary unit of Vietnam) and CHIAO and JIAO (both meaning a monetary unit of China).
DUTY (a moral or legal obligation) and DHUTI, DHOOTI and DHOOTIE (all meaning a loincloth worn by Hindu men).
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fifth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Carmen Beck with BUCK for 52 points.
The "G" Bingo was won by Henry de Young with GRAVIES for 84 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Matt Schlegel with ADZED for 56 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Lynette Stewart was the highest winner of the evening with 458 points.
The highest loss was Henry de Young 394 points.
Homonyms (2)
Three more pairs of homonyms, one word familiar and the other uncommon in each, are ROOKIE (a novice) and ROOKY (abounding in rooks), GLASSY (resembling glass) and GLASSIE (a playing marble), and ROBIN (a songbird) and ROBBIN (a piece of yarn used to fasten a sail). I find studying such pairs listed on index cards a useful way learn new words.
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fifth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Walter Cates with QUEENS for 51 points.
The "F" Bingo was won by Sandra Lavallee with FOOTIES for 77 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Sandra Lavallee with WAXED for 56 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Rod Hulme was the highest winner of the evening with 461 points.
The highest loss was Terry Aitken 365 points.
Homonyms (1)
A possible way to expand your Scrabble vocabulary is to learn sets of homonyms. Very often they occur in pairs, with one word quite familiar and the other seldom seen, as in OXEN (plural of ox) and AUXIN ( a substance used to regulate plant growth).
Another pair is TOXIN (a poisonous substance) and TOCSIN (an alarm sounded on a bell). Such pairs are numerous in the Scrabble lexicon, and hunting for the more likely ones can be quite enjoyable as well as useful.
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fifth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Carmen Beck with CANDY for 25 points.
The "E" Bingo was won by Rod Hulme with FREESIA for 87 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Rod Hulme with QUITS for 72 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Lynette Stewart was the highest winner of the evening with 436 points.
The highest loss was Rod Hulme with 356 points.
A Couple of Puzzlers
After a game at the Stratford club last Wednesday, there was the usual discussion of interesting words that were played on the board. Two of them certainly can be considered puzzlers.
The first may be the all-time head-scratcher, SELAH (a word of unknown meaning often marking the end of a verse in the Psalms). It did seem strange that we went to the dictionary to look up the meaning of a word that has no meaning. The second was AERODYNE (an aircraft that is heavier than air). It seemed to us that all nearly aircraft are such. It's likely that air balloons are not aerodynes, considering their overall weight (density?) after the air inside the balloon is heated, and perhaps dirigibles are the same, but if the list of non-aerodynes is so short, it would seem that "aerodynes" is pretty well an unnecessary word. Perhaps an engineer can help us.
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fifth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Andrew Hocking with FAITH for 30 points.
The "D" Bingo was won by Rod Hulme with RADIATE for 73 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Rod Hulme with BLAZE for 74 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Rod Hulme was the highest winner of the evening with 419 points.
The highest loss was Lynette Stewart with 314 points.
Unexpected Back Hooks with Y
To finish the discussion of Y back hooks over the past few weeks, I suggest the word FLOURY as an interesting example. Adding the Y to FLOUR creates an adjective meaning "resembling flour," of course. I just like the word because it's a homonym for the much more commonly-used word FLOWERY. So, if you do in fact add Y to FLOUR, are you creating FLOURY language? Apologies for the really bad pun.
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fourth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Helen Devitt with CACHE for 16 points.
The "C" Bingo was won by Carmen Beck with TOUCHES for 91 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Walter Cates with ZED for 52 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Terry Aitken was the highest winner of the evening with 404 points.
The highest loss was Lisa Kilpis with 328 points.
Unexpected Back Hooks with Y
Yet another example of an unusual or unexpected Y back hook occurs if you add Y to the verb WHIRR, which means to move with a buzzing sound. So would WHIRRY be an adjective suggesting "buzzy?" (No, and that's not a word, either.) In fact, WHIRRY is itself a verb and not an adjective at all, and it means "to hurry."
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fourth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Carmen Beck with BLOWN for 26 points.
The "B" Bingo was won by Terry Aitken with ROBOTICS for 86 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Carmen Beck with XU for 56 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Carmen Beck was the highest winner of the evening with 470 points.
The highest loss was Rod Hulme 351 points.
Unexpected Back Hooks with Y
Continuing the theme of unusual or unexpected Y back hooks, when I started out in Scrabble I certainly did not expect to find that you could add Y to the end of DEATH to create DEATHY. Yet that is the case, and the word is a direct synonym for the word DEADLY, meaning "fatal." (You can also use the word DEATHLY to mean the same thing, and that’s a word I consider quite unusual as well.)
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fourth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Carmen Beck with HELPS for 37 points.
The "A" Bingo was won by Terry Aitken with DYNAMIC for 84 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo were
Sandra Lavallee with JAWS and Lisa Kilpis with GALAXY for 66 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was won by Andrew Hocking with 344 points.
Terry Aitken was the highest winner of the evening with 520 points.
The highest loss was Helen Devitt with 327 points.
Unexpected Back Hooks with Y
Continuing the theme of unusual or unexpected Y back hooks, consider the word CENTAURY. If we think of CENTAUR + Y = CENTAURY, we might well expect that word to be an adjective meaning "like a centaur." However, CENTAURY is a noun, and its meaning does not relate to the mythological creature at all. It’s "a medicinal herb."
The words in bold block capitals are acceptable SCRABBLE® words. Their meanings are taken from the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fourth Edition.
Word Prize was won by Lynette Stewart with JOINER for 51 points.
The "X" or "Z" Bingo was won by Sandra Lavallee with EXITING for 76 points.
The Best Scoring Non-Bingo was Henry de Young with QUEY for 53 points.
The Sergey Bubka prize was not won.
Terry Aitken was the highest winner of the evening with 529 points.
The highest loss was Rod Hulme with 358 points.
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