What’s a noun that has “as” right in the middle and means a morbid, threatening influence or atmosphere that tends to corrupt or deplete?
Meaning reason or justification for existence, this French noun’s first syllable has the sound of a common first name. What’s the noun that has the sound of new in it and means inventiveness?
Fourthly, what’s a noun that is in the title of a musical by Gilbert and Sullivan? The word means a sleeveless apron that encircles and protects clothing worn by a child.
Here is one more “coVaughandrum.” Rather than using “pooped,” this three-syllable adjective that I have in mind would sound more professional and rhymes with “lover caught.”
1. boucle (boo-CLAY)
A. miniature
B. a fabric made out of yarn having small curly loops
C. inappropriate
D. appropriate
E. a love ballad
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2. ubiquitous (you-BIK-wi-tus)
A. not persevering
B. laborious
C. easy to accomplish
D. existing or being everywhere simultaneously
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3. invidious (in-VID-ee-us)
A. calculated to excite ill will or resentment
B. dangerous
C. causing something to become invalid
D. rich
Numbers 1 through 3 were last week’s “coVaughandrums.” Boucle is B. Ubiquitous is D and invidious is A.
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4. aplomb (uh-PLOM)
A. fiery
B. imperturbable assurance or poise
C. plausible
D. sweet, tasty
E. officious
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5. conundrum (co-NUN-drum)
A. a confusing or difficult problem or question
B. a riddle (the answer to which involves a pun or play on words)
C. anything that puzzles
D. All of the above
Aplomb is also pronounced “UH-plom.” Example: The batter had a look of aplomb in spite of an intimidating pitcher and his team being behind seven runs. B is the answer. Conundrum is D.
Editor’s Note: Dr. Don Rodney Vaughan is the pastor of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church near Eupora and is on the faculty of East Mississippi Community College, Golden Triangle Campus. Contact him at dvaughan@eastms.edu.
