Words can be very visual — and lots of fun. By happenstance, I’ve come across a couple of websites that truly demonstrate that.
Visuwords
Visuwords is an absolutely intriguing website that does graphical wonders exploring meanings and connections of words. It’s been around for almost a year, but I only discovered it within the past week. If you care about words, you really must take a look. It’s a truly valuable and FREE tool.
Hot For Words
I can hardly believe this discovery: words can be very sexy indeed! Something of an internet sensation, Marina is a Russian who’s put up her site Hot For Words to teach people about the etymology of English words. Would you believe that the site has received over 47 million hits within 8 months? And that she’s just been featured on the Bill O’Reilly show — talking about words, not politics?
How can etymology be such an astonishing hit? To give you a hint, she’s been nominated as “the sexiest geek” on the internet. You will have to take a look — first, tuck the children in bed and buckle your seat belts — and you will see what the fuss is all about.
Lest we be distracted, the material which Marina covers — or uncovers? — is genuinely interesting to word lovers. Just close your eyes and listen.
WordWeb
While I’m on the subject, I’ll mention again another useful and free tool to help you with words. WordWeb is a software that has several faces: one can access it online, install a free version on your computer, buy a more powerful PRO version — or even get the developer’s version so that the dictionary-thesaurus can be tucked into word processors.
Since this post focuses on the fun side of words, you may also be interested in this company’s tool for crossword fanatics: Crossword Compiler. This program actually has been around for quite a long time.
Sorry, comments are closed.
Comment by
Jay Francis Hunter
22 Apr 2008
Very cool finds.
lmao@billoreilly – of course she would be on his show…
Comment by
:Donna
26 Apr 2008
Tom, I was totally blown away by “Visuwords”, and expected more of the same, amazing quality of “finds” to follow. I was more than disappointed when your next link not only lacked quality, but the class I expect when I come to your site. Am I wrong to assume this isn’t a blog “just for guys”? That’s the impression I got when I read your intro about tucking the kids in bed and buckling your seat, then when I got to the site, I was wondering if I was going to find links to p**n. “Hot for Words” is as much about words as the “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit” issue is about sports.
Then, considering the kind of content on that site, I was totally surprised when my post wouldn’t post because I used a word that forced me to use ** substitutes for the “o” and “r”.
Sorry — very disappointed.
Comment by
Jay Francis Hunter
26 Apr 2008
Somebody’s got their panties in a bunch. /bad joke
Sorry, I had to. You left yourself wide open.