Make Your Point > Archived Issues > KALEIDOSCOPIC

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"KALEIDOSCOPIC" Pronunciation: kuh LIDE uh SKOP ick 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 kaleidoscopic scene” 2. After a linking verb, as in “The scene was kaleidoscopic.”) Meaning: Something kaleidoscopic reminds you of a kaleidoscope: one of those tubes you look through and twist to see changing patterns of beautiful shapes and colors. So, literally, something kaleidoscopic is full of moving shapes and colors, like a kaleidoscopic carousel. Figuratively, something kaleidoscopic changes very quickly again and again, like a kaleidoscopic dream. Other forms: kaleidoscope, kaleidoscopically, kaleidoscopical How to use it: Talk about kaleidoscopic shapes, colors, sounds, music, art, lights, explosions, visions, dreams, ideas, writing, goals, periods of time, and so on. You can have a kaleidoscopic array of things, such as a kaleidoscopic array of paint chip colors or a kaleidoscopic array of children's books. Finally, talk about a kaleidoscope of something, like a kaleidoscope of ballet costumes, a kaleidoscope of menu options, a kaleidoscope of talent, a kaleidoscope of problems or crimes, etc. It's strange how we take for granted the incredible kaleidoscope of fresh fruits and vegetables available at any grocery store. Even though I did study hard in college, my memory of those years is a kaleidoscope of trips, parties, late-night laughter, and the thrill of independence. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You'll know you understand what "kaleidoscopic" means when you can explain it without saying "changing" or "colorful." Think of an exciting event you attended, such as a play, dance, party, sporting event, fair, carnival, parade, or concert, and fill in the blanks: “The kaleidoscopic _____ made me _____.” Example: “The kaleidoscopic swirl of the children's costumes as they performed The Nutcracker made me appreciate how much work must have gone into the production.” 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 is "Guess the real pop song title when I give you a long-winded, highfalutin version of it." All the answers this month will be titles of popular songs released no earlier than 2012. Try it out each day and see the right answer the next day. We're playing this in order to appreciate the simple, precise vocabulary of pop song titles, despite how often they are criticized for being sappy, trite, and simplistic.   Yesterday’s answer: “The Circular Device Which Allows the Transport of a Precursor to the Automobile” is really “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker. Try this one today: “Establishment in Which Consumers Purchase Secondhand Goods” A Point Well Made: William Strunk, Jr. and E. B. White: “The language is… a living stream, shifting, changing, receiving new strength from a thousand tributaries, losing old forms in the backwaters of time.” 1. The opposite of KALEIDOSCOPIC is A. UNAPPEALING AND STALE B. SLUGGISH AND TIRED C. STILL AND PLAIN 2. The Hilo farmers' market is a kaleidoscope of _____. A. the history of the town. B. tourists, locals, fresh foods, and crafts. C. the way an efficient system of conveying food from the farm to the consumer should be. 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. B