cement

This is a powdery mixture made of limestone, clay and sand that, when water is added, acts as an adhesive to bind stones and bricks together.

Metaphorically, the word is used in the context of 'joining together'. Here, it can refer to personal and business relationships.

The history of the word dates back to early times as follows – 13 Century Old French ciment, arising from the Latin caementum meaning ‘stone from the quarry’ arising from the verb caedere which means ‘to hew' - to cut or cleave with an axe.

pull

In contrast to 'push', the verb 'to pull', while equally vigorous, carries within it a different force and direction. And again, the verb can be used metaphorically.

Its simple meaning is 'to exert force on an object so that the object is drawn towards the force itself'.

Here are some applications:

• to pull a tooth is to extract a tooth
• to pull feathers is to pluck feathers from a bird
• to pull a muscle is to strain a muscle
• and, in recent food articles, 'pulled chicken' or 'pulled beef' means to tear into small, fine pieces once the flesh is cooked

Be aware that 'pull' is often partnered with prepositions that change the direction of the movement in the word.

Prepositions are often awkward for speakers to conquer when learning a new language. With this in mind, be aware of the direction that is built into the preposition when found in these common combinations:

• pull in
• pull away
• pull towards
• pull on
• pull off
• pull against
• pull through
• pull back
• pull down
• pull about
• pull up

Compare 'to pull' with 'to push' which was published last week.

push

Like verbs across multiple languages, this verb is full of action and vigor.

Its meaning is to apply a steady force in order to move an object (or person). From this simple concept, multiple applications of the word occur.

Consider these:
to push one's way through a crowd
to push on regardless of the difficulties
to push a point of view
to push for a political candidate
to push one's luck
to push out from the deck (in a boat)

Across these any many other applications of the verb 'to push', there is always a sense of applied force and movement. In broad uses of the verb the movement can be towards, away from or against.

Contrast this verb with the verb 'to pull'.

explode

In contrast to 'implode' which I wrote about last week, the verb 'explode' carries a different action picture.

Here, the movement is outward. It is one of dispersion, scattering and spreading (e.g, of debris) after a sudden burst.

In many words, the prefix 'ex' will indicate this impression of movement outwards.

Very frequently, this word is as a metaphor, particularly in relation to someone exploding with anger, frustration and irritation. In this context, it is the spreading of emotion that is being experienced not only by the individual, but by those around them.

implode

This verb clearly describes an action; that of an object or a structure collapsing in upon itself. The collapse is most likely to be caused by a change in pressure in the object's environment.

Occasionally it is used to describe the dramatic response demonstrated by an individual who responds to an unexpected shock. In this example the word is opening itself to being used as a metaphor.

Look out for it in speeches and articles where the central theme is 'change'.

buck

Consider the variety of meanings and applications that live in a four-letter word!

As a noun, 'buck' refers to the male in some animal species. These include goats, deer, kangaroos and rabbits and hares. It is also the generic term for the wide range of antelope and deer found in Southern Africa. In this case, the word applies to the species rather than the gender of the animal.

As a verb, it refers to the movements of animals that are leaping about or vigorously rocking their entire body in order to get rid of their riders (as in horses) or, as a desperate means to release themselves from their tethers.

An archaic use of the word was applied to spirited young men. In this context, the word has negative connotations in some countries, particularly in the U.S.

Like many four-letter words it serves as a metaphor as in 'buck the system' and 'buck the trend', where it means that a person or people are going against the norm.

busy

This four-letter work lends itself to being overused.  This is because its meaning 'fully occupied or engaged' can apply to multiple situations and circumstances.

For instance, 'busy work' in workplace contexts implies that the work being done is occupying people but is not necessarily valuable or relevant to the organisation and its purpose.

A 'busybody' is the name given to a person who involves themself in matters that are not relevant to them.

fester

This is a wonderfully vivid word.

One a purely practical level, it describes a supurating wound.

Metaphorically, it brings to mind a state of inner turmoil.  One of bubbling, seething emotion that may erupt.

When used appropriately, it will draw full attention to the matter being addressed.