Make Your Point > Archived Issues > JERRY-BUILT

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"JERRY-BUILT" Pronunciation: JAIR ee bilt 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 jerry-built house.” 2. After a linking verb, as in “The house was jerry-built.”) Meaning: Something jerry-built is built or created in a sloppy, cheap way. ("Jerry" is slang for "bad" or "defective.") Other forms: jerry-build, jerry-building, jerry-builder How to use it: Concretely, talk about a jerry-built shack/apartment/house/building, a jerry-built boat, a jerry-built machine, and so on. Abstractly, talk about a jerry-built plot or narrative, a jerry-built system or method, a jerry-built town, a jerry-built project or performance, etc. I took one look at the jerry-built carnival rides and said, "Nope." If you force kids to write in a certain way, then you deserve the dull task of reading all their jerry-built output. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "jerry-built” means when you can explain it without saying “unsubstantial” or “shoddy." Think of the last time you wanted to say, "Um...did you even try to do a good job with this?", and fill in the blanks: "_____ has nothing but jerry-built _____." Example: "That site has nothing but useless, jerry-built content and a swamp of ads." 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: Andre Gide: "Meanwhile, I hit upon this: the word must never precede the idea. Or else: the word must always be necessitated by the idea. It must be irresistible and inevitable; and the same is true of the sentence, of the whole work of art." 1. The opposite of JERRY-BUILT is A. QUICK AND EASY B. KIND AND GENEROUS C. STRONG AND SUBSTANTIAL 2. Their jerry-built science fair project _____ A. was loud enough to cause a stir and draw a crowd. B. didn't even have a clear hypothesis. C. earned an honorable mention but no real prizes. 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