Enlarge Your Vocabulary

'Sixty seconds? It takes almost sixty seconds to say your name!' 'Oh... very droll. Very droll indeed.' _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson without his expre...

Deipnosophist ... and the story of how today's word became today's word! _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson without his express consent or that of his autho...

And now for something new ... Words in Action A small addition to the usual proceedings of Enlarge Your Vocabulary. For some time now we have been collecting curious words, old words, neglected words… words refusing to settle quietly into comfortable retirement. But words, it seems, were never designed to spend their lives standing stiffly inside dictionaries. So each episode of Words in Action in...

‘Look at old Roger out there basking in the sun — he looks perfectly copacetic.’ ‘Oh, do you think he should move into the shade, then?’ _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy T...

‘Matha, don’t you find Stanley a rather boring supercilious?’ ‘No, I don’t think so — I think he’s more of a super-silly soddiest.’ ‘Oh dear… is there such a word?’ _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice...

‘Charge your glasses, ladies and gentlemen, and raise a toast to the motto of the unhurried, who prefer not to seize the day but would rather—Neglige diem!’ _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floyd...

‘Define oxymoron.’ ‘Sure… that’s as clear as mud.’ _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson without his express consent or that of his authorised representatives....

Impecunious : im-pih-KYOO-nee-uhs ‘Fancy a bite to eat?’ ‘I would, but I’m feeling rather… impecunious.’ ‘Impecunious? That sounds expensive.’ ‘On the contrary, my good man—you’ll find it a wise investment… one that will come back to you a hundredfold.’ ‘Oh, really? Another one of those meals, I see.’ _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written perm...

"Holy doghouse, Batman! This looks like a pet cemetery—with all these statues of dogs on the graves!’ ‘Not quite, Boy Wonder… you’re barking up the wrong tree.’ ‘Gosh—then what is it?’ ‘A mystery, Robin… and one worth uncovering.’ ‘Doggone, Batman, I have a lot to learn.’ ‘Don’t worry, old chum. This evening—after your hot milk and cookies—you can find out by tuning in to tonight’s broadcast of En...

Reading.  For non-watermarked readings, contact: floydsvoice@gmail.com Henry Archibald Hertzberg Lawson (17th June 1867 – 2nd September 1922) was an Australian writer and bush poet. Henry Lawson is often referred to as Australia’s greatest short story writer. He was also a master of the bush ballad. The Union Buries Its Dead was first published in 1893. In keenly observed style, Henry Lawson takes...

Meanwhile, at the headquarters of ‘We Get the Truth Inc’: ‘Chief, the algorithms are inconclusive. The lie detectors are baffled. We simply cannot be sure he’s telling the truth.’ A deathly silence fell across the room. The Chief rose slowly. Steely-eyed. Stone-faced. Immovable. In a low, determined voice, he said, ‘Send in the Gregorios Twins — Gregory and Gregoria.’ __ © The recording may not be...

‘She has such a euphonious voice.’ ‘What? Nonsense — she has magical dulcet tones.’ ‘Blimey, next you’ll be telling me she has a sonorous voice.’ ‘You’re all wrong. Her voice is like honey to the ear — smooth, sweet and impossible to resist. In a word: mellifluous!’ __ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy T...

'I’m off to town, love.' 'Take care — it’s rough downtown nowadays.' 'No need to worry, dear. Big Brother has me — and everyone else — under surveillance. They’re always watching out for us.' 'Oh, yes, I forgot, aren’t they wonderful?' 'hmm.' __ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No indi...

Reading Henry Archibald Hertzberg Lawson (17th June 1867 – 2nd September 1922) was an Australian writer and bush poet. Henry Lawson is often referred to as Australia’s greatest short story writer. He was also a master of the bush ballad. Note: A bush ballad is a traditional Australian narrative poem, written in plain language and rhythmic verse, reflecting hardship, humour, and character in rural...

'While Cupid sends arrows of love, watch out — cupidity can have a nasty sting!' _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson without his express consent or that of h...

Terry: By Jove, that was some email, Ken. I’m sure Sue will be moved. Ken: You read my private email? Terry: You accidentally sent it to the entire office staff. Ken: No... I’m ruined! Terry: Oh, dear, never mind, I'm sure things will pick up! (He said with an inner smile.) __ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus...

Reading Rudyard Kipling (30th December 1865 –18th January 1936) was one of the most influential English writers of his time. In 1907 he received the Nobel Prize in Literature — the first English-language writer to earn it, and still the youngest person ever to do so. Kipling’s If—, written in 1895 and published in 1910, is a poem of advice to someone coming of age, offering guidance on character,...

Pulchritudinous. 'puhl·kruh·choo·duh·nuhs' ‘‘Did you hear Marie has opened a new flower shop?’ ‘No, what’s it called?’ ‘The Pulchritudinous Florist.’ ‘Who, Marie or the flowers?’ ‘Both.’ __ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sou...

Reading Henry Archibald Hertzberg Lawson (17th June 1867 – 2nd September 1922) was an Australian writer and bush poet. Regarded as one of the best-known Australian poets and fiction writers of his time, he is often referred to as Australia's 'greatest short story writer.' Problem with ghosts? Call Ally!  In Henry Lawson’s tale “We Called Him ‘Ally’ for Short”, a hillside fencer has a problem with...

Even at a young age, Rosie was delightfully loquacious and engaging. __ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson without his express consent or that of his authoris...

‘Henry, Mr and Mrs Pugnacious would like to come over at the weekend for a discussion.’ ‘What? Quick, Martha — book the next flight to Coober Pedy! Surely we’ll be safe there?’ (When Mr and Mrs Pugnacious want to “have a word,” it’s time to make a run for the outback!) _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy...

“...only, it was that last strange look she gave me— I was struck with a flash of dubiety.” _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson without his express consent o...

'Since the report leaked a week ago, we’ve had no flights landing at our airport, Reggie… perhaps hiring callow fellows wasn’t the smartest move after all.' _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floyd...

‘Dolly, why so many tears?’ ‘It’s Archibald. He’s always written the sweetest letters to me, but in this letter, he’s called me the Queen of Garbage! How could he?’ ‘Let me see the letter.’ ‘No, Dolly—he’s called you the Queen of Garbists... garbists.’ ‘Garbist? I’ll give him “gabist” next time I see him!’ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written p...

'Pete's perfectly punctuated porciloquence left them all in awe! So much said in so few words!' (Apologies for mother's interference!) _ © The recording may not be altered or used for commercial gain without the express written permission of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Thomas Jefferson. No individual or entity may clone, reproduce, or record any sound imitating the voice of Floydius-Maximus Jeremy Tho...