Make Your Point > Archived Issues > FANTAST

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"FANTAST" Meaning: A fantast is a person who imagines and predicts a wonderful future for the world. A fantast can also be any person who is awesome AND very weird. Pronunciation: FAN tast 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 fantast or multiple fantasts.) Other forms: Just "fantasts." You can also use the spelling "phantast(s)." How to use it: Call someone a fantast, a fantast extraordinaire, a fantast supreme, etc. Or, say that someone has a bit of the fantast in him/her (or a touch of the fantast, a great deal of the fantast, a walloping dose of the fantast, and so on.) Your meaning might be positive, emphasizing the fantast's optimism and imagination, or you might be critical, implying that the fantast is bizarre or out of touch with reality. Much of EPCOT, one of the Walt Disney World theme parks, is a testament to the fantast in Mr. Disney, especially the "Carousel of Progress" show. (I don't care how outdated it is--the excitement it conveys about futuristic technology is totally contagious.) Although Elton John still gives incredible, high-energy concerts today, I wish I could have seen him perform as that fantast he used to be in the 1970s, when his costumes included ostrich feathers, a Mozart costume, and tube socks. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "fantast" means when you can explain it without saying "visionary" or "eccentric." Think of how you imagined the future when you were very young, and fill in the blank: "As a young fantast, I hoped that _____."  Example: "As a young fantast, I hoped that my sister and I could ride flying skateboards to school by the time we were teenagers." 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, with the gracious permission of author Dr. Barbara Ann Kipfer, we’re sampling some English language trivia from Word Nerd: More Than 17,000 Fascinating Facts about Words. Dr. Kipfer’s book is a hearty 570-page feast that I’ve been gleefully devouring for the past few months. We’re starting off with easy questions, then working our way toward some whoppers at the end of the month, all the while focusing on funny, unusual words; surprising word histories; and cool tidbits about the language.  Yesterday's question: “Ultimate” can mean “last.” What does “preantepenultimate” mean? Answer: Fourth from last. (Third from last is “antepenultimate,” and second to last is “penultimate.”) Try this one today. It should feel rather difficult:   What’s something that these letters have in common? H, I, N, O, S, X, Z.  A Point Well Made: Brené Brown: “If we are brave enough often enough, we will fall; this is the physics of vulnerability.” 1. The opposite of FANTAST is A. PROPHET OF DOOM B. YEASAYER C. WENDY WHINER 2. His designs for _____ revealed a bit of the fantast in him. A. the ultimate water thrill ride B. a beautiful, contemporary living room C. a solar-powered robot that cleans surfaces 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. A 2. C