words you only THINK you know the meaning of

[MaDuce]

Writing an article about the butchering of the English language. Thought I'd take the time to share with you some words that have a different definition then what most people think. Definitions copied and pasted directly from online dictionary.

Literal. Being in accordance with, conforming to, or upholding the exact or primary meaning of a word or words.

Arcade. A series of arches supported by columns, piers, or pillars, either freestanding or attached to a wall to form a gallery.

Official Authorized by a proper authority; authoritative:

Plastic. Relating to or dealing with shaping or modeling

disgruntled. To make discontented. (Restlessly unhappy; malcontent.)

Foreign words you THINK you know the meaning of.

Roosky...... Russia (not Russian)

Soviet...... Council

Ninja........ Thug

Transylvania...... trans-forest.

Armageddon..... Highland of Megiddo

And some words who's definitions have actually changed over time.

Sniper....Originally someone who hunted snipes.

Sculpture..... French word for engraving.

Knight....... Norman cavalry

Words and names that are mispronounced by Americans more often then pronounced correctly.

Koch (kOk) English, (kOh) German

Walther (vol-ter)

Garand (ga-rand)

Transylvania (tron-shEl-von-yo)

Matthias (moth-E-osh)

Neuschwanstein (noosh-von-shtIn)

In case that's too confusing, I put up a quick audio clip for you, so you can hear them pronounced.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4OTFZbRV-s