Yep, one of my most-visited sites is the Merriam-Webster Online. Sounds too nerdy... but this is a proven useful tool for writers. My first Yahoo mail was mostly filled up with the Merriam-Webster "word of the day" subscriptions that I need to take time to transfer them all off to one document file during my 'mail clean-up' modes such as this time. Going through each message, I noticed some words like these:

1. props

You'd always hear this word whenever when there is a stage play, especially during elementary years. Props, as in stage props or "something used in creating or enhancing a desired effect."

But according to their email subscription, it's used informally - short for "proper dues." It is "something that is said to publicly thank and give special attention to someone for doing something - credit or recognition. Like, "Props to everyone that made this movie a success."

It can also mean "respect," as in "The lawyer earned our props with an outstanding performance in court."

There is also that "mad props" to mean "very enthusiastic praise."

2. doohickey

If you're so used to "whatchamacallits" or "thingamajigs," you can use "doohickey" for an object or device whose name you do not know or have forgotten.

For example, "I need one of those doohickeys with the long handles."

There are also a lot of common words that were surprisingly included in the word-for-the-day subscription, such as draft, typical, delight. And there are some that you may never use in your lifetime. Oh well, just another dagdag-kaalaman for the day.