Photo Source: http://www.henrylim.org

Today’s word is exhorting.

It’s a verb.

It means: to give urgent advice, recommendations, or warnings.

How can I use this word in real life?

The organization’s leader was exhorting the followers by having them listen to him and not the other workers.

I found this word while reading the classic, Autobiography of Malcolm X.

Definition was found on Dictionary.com
@therealgurl

Photo Source: http://www.henrylim.org

Today’s word is Natty.

Pronounced Nat-tee.
It’s an adjective (adj.)

It means neatly or trimly smart in dress or appearance .

How can you use this word in real life?

I was approached by a gentleman with a natty navy blue Blazer.

Word Source: Found in my handy dandy Oxford American Dictionary (circa 1978). Definition found there and on dictionary.com!

@therealgurl

Photo Source: http://www.henrylim.org

This week’s word is Ascendancy.

It’s a noun.

It means domination.

Words similar to Ascendancy: control, command, authority, power

Words opposite of Ascendancy: subordination, inferiority, powerlessness

How to use this word in ‘real life’

The ascendancy of Joseph Kony is endangering the lives of over 30,000 children.

Word Source: Shoutout to Thesaurus.com!

@therealgurl

Pronounced aj-i-tuh.

It’s a Noun. 

It’s means: agitation and/or anxiety.

How can you use this word in “real life”?

All of the preparation for the LSAT exam gave Sally agita.

Word Source: Michelle Goodman’s My So-Called Freelance Life, page 4. Definition found on dictionary.com. Thanks

@therealgurl

Pronounced jen-til-i-tee.

It’s a noun.

It means: good manners and elegance.

How to use this word in “real life”?

Those new transfer students showed gentility towards the administration when they came to visit our classroom.

Word Source: Oxford American Dictionary (Copyrighted in 1980!) 

@therealgurl

It seems as if people either don’t know, or don’t like to add the pleases and thank you’s in their mannerisms anymore. But I will tell you, saying please after asking for something, and thank you after getting something means more than you may think. Please and Thank You are two of the most powerful phrases in the history of manners (don’t mind the slight ignorance, I am venting.). Saying please shows your need for someone or something done for you. Thank you exudes your gratitude. When those words are lost in the form of communication, how do you think it makes one another feel?

Think about it this way, if someone asked you for a ride, and they didn’t say please, but jumped in your car anyway. Then as you reached to their destination, the person just hopped out of the car, and slammed your door (total pet peeve of mine!)*. Would you ever give that person a ride again? Heck no! So, put yourself in that situation. Do you want to leave that impression on the other person when you forget your manners? C’mon people, let us not go back to first grade on this issue. Just saying.

*Disclaimer: The scenario used in this post did not (and would be darned if it did) happen to me in real life.

Oh, and please don’t forget:

These two phrases go a very long way

@therealgurl

Talk about vintage. Found this in a pile of my dad's old book collection!

This week’s new word is Incentivise

It’s a Verb.

Definition: (1) to provide someone with a good reason for wanting to do something.

                           (2) to promote something with a particular incentive.

How can it be used in “real life”? 

Example 1: Why don’t you  incentivize your professor to let you re-take that exam?

Example 2: That store has incentivize their weekend sale so the profit from the customers can meet their sales goals.

As always, s/o to my ‘ol school Oxford American Dictionary!

@therealgurl