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Dec 21, 2025
This week’s themeFossil words This week’s words fettle kilter wreak tenterhook deserts How popular are they? Relative usage over time AWADmail archives Index Next week’s theme No el 
AWADmail Issue 1225A Compendium of Feedback on the Words in A.Word.A.Day and Other Tidbits about Words and LanguageSponsor’s Message: ONEUPMANSHIP 3.0 is “a rollicking excuse for mad, mutually-abusive annihilation.” One Up! -- guaranteed to turn your whole family into “greedy, self-serving punks.” Wise Up! will “ruin Christmas and friendships” or your money back. All our fun and games are BOGO today only. Shop now.
From: T. Hunter Wilson (T jenckesfarm.com) Subject: fettle Fettle is also used routinely as a verb by people who use tools to refer to the process of bringing a new commercially made tool into an optimal state or sometimes to the similar process of returning a used tool to that state. A very well-made plane may require only a final honing of the blade to fettle it, but a slightly cruder one can be restored by flattening the sole, adjusting the mouth, and perhaps adding a thicker blade. T. Hunter Wilson, Marlboro, Vermont From: Peter Riocreux (peter.riocreux cakes.org.uk) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--fettle In England (at least) the verb form is in general usage in the sense of tinker with or fix, typically to either repair or improve something. In this sense, its origin was I think mechanical but also now extends to other fields. I am a semiconductor designer and we refer to fettling a design. I have even introduced the concept of feature/fettle as a design paradigm -- get the feature working, imperfectly, in the first generation and then in the subsequent generation improve it so it is simpler/more capable/cheaper. Peter Riocreux, Highlands, Scotland From: Ela Harrison (elamonster1 gmail.com) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--fettle My college boyfriend’s mom was from Trinidad, and she used fettle as a verb meaning approximately to tidy. So after a big party we needed to go and fettle the kitchen, etc. Ela Harrison, London, UK From: Sampath Kumar Ramnath (rskmar gmail.com) Subject: fettle I came across the usage of fettle in a metallurgical context when I started my career at Tata Steel. Fettling machines were used to repair furnace walls and hearths after a cast. Sampath Kumar Ramnath, Bengaluru, India From: Jane Dyson (dysonjane340 gmail.com) Subject: fettle In British English, a fettler is someone who does repair or maintenance on a railway. Also, I remember my Yorkshire dad using the verb in contexts like: “Well, we’d better get fettling”, meaning start work. Jane Dyson, San Diego, California From: Jonathan Rickert (therickerts hotmail.com) Subject: Fettle My Swedish-born wife, who has an excellent command of English, has added a few “improvements” to standard usages over the years. To her, “in fine fettle” has become “in fine fiddle”. The rest of the family has accepted this adjustment -- indeed, it makes about as much sense as the original, “correct” version. Jonathan Rickert, Washington, DC From: Johnny Deep (via website comments) Subject: wreak I think the current T. administration fully wants to wreak, wrack, and wreck peace and order both at home and abroad. Johnny Deep
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From: Becky Wallower (becky.wallower dial.pipex.com) Subject: tenterhook Tentergrounds appear on early maps of several areas of London -- where cloth was stretched to dry on frames with tenterhooks. A key one was around Spitalfields, where Huguenot refugees developed clothworking industries. In a street called Tenter Ground, artist Tracey Emin had her studio for some years from 2008. In south London -- beyond sites of former bankside theatres and current Waterloo -- marshes were drained in the 18th c., accommodating agriculture and tentergrounds. Becky Wallower, London, UK  
Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--tenterhook I live in Kendal in the UK, a former wool town. The town coat of arms features bale hooks, the motto is pannus mihi panis (wool is my bread), and a nearby street is named High Tenterfell. Simon Done, Kendal, UK From: Judith Judson (jjudson frontier.com) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--tenterhook When I was a child I sometimes helped our upstairs neighbor stretch her curtains after washing on great frames -- you pressed the edges down on little tiny straight tacks which stuck out of the frames on all sides -- and invariably pricked your fingers (NYC, circa 1942). Judith Judson, Pittsford, New York From: Dennis Withner (hebedw gmail.com) Subject: Tenterhook All my life, I have thought this word was tenderhooks, such as meat being suspended on the hooks at a butcher shop or meat processing plant. By stretching yourself on tippytoes to reach parts of it, you could become “tender”, i.e. incapacitated by the pain of any movement. The actual definition and situation are a bit similar, but quite different too. Thanks for setting me straight. Dennis Withner, Blaine, Washington From: Andrew Lloyd (knockroe gmail.com) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--deserts
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: You must protest / It is your diamond duty / Ah but in such an ugly time / The true protest is beauty. -Phil Ochs, folksinger (19 Dec 1940-1976) Through 2023, my 90 y.o. Kiwi cousin picketed the Russian embassy in Wellington on the regular and still does it sometimes. I sent him that Phil Ochs verse and Coz replied: “Thank you for the Phil Ochs poem. I read it at our protest today and it was greatly appreciated. We had a Christmas celebration with lots of food. I used the intercom at the gate to invite the Embassy to join us but they blasted the Russian national anthem at me.” Andrew Lloyd, Knockroe, Ireland 
Subject: kilter and deserts With my Scottish-Canadian lineage, I was hoping our word “kilter” might have an etymological link to the kilt. But alas, no sartorial connection there. In this scenario, I’ve entered the world of professional logrolling, a somewhat obscure, quirky sport where it just happens that Canadian rollers have perennially excelled. Here, our Canadian competitor has managed to throw her US opponent off-kilter. More pointedly, off their spinning log, scoring a crucial point. Perchance the little beaver gave her an added assist? 
Alex McCrae, Van Nuys, California Anagrams
Make your own anagrams and animations. Limericks fettle Trump’s annoyed with reporters who pry; Any sort of ill health he’ll deny. He nods off, he’s confused, And his hand’s often bruised, But “In very fine fettle am I!” -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) When they’re feeling in less than fine fettle, The English all put on a kettle. For tea solves all ills Far more nicely than pills; Oh, the sound of that whistling metal! -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) kilter Her portrait’s off-kilter and so I just have to tilt her, you know. The guard is aghast, And cries, “Not so fast!” Then out of the Tate I must go. -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) She thought that the lad would propose, But she wasn’t the woman he chose. The cad, he would jilt her, Which left her off kilter. She’s better off now, I suppose. -Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) “From this water I’m feeling off-kilter,” Said Jack. Answered Jill, “There’s no filter. By drinking from pails, Your immune system fails.” “Not more science,” thought Jack; “think I’ll jilt her.” -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) wreak When current events are quite bleak, Some solace from leaders we seek. To Trump we may turn, But then we just learn What havoc his comments can wreak! -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) As President, he’s a disaster, But Trump only thinks he’s a master. The havoc he wreaks Will soon reach brand new peaks. I pray that impeachment comes faster. -Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) “Though it seemed Biden ended my streak, Now I’m back, and more havoc I’ll wreak,” Said Donald. “Non-whites, You are all in my sights! I’ve made violence and lawlessness chic!” -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) tenterhook On tenterhooks he’s had to wait, While jurors determine his fate. As they all take their places, He looks at their faces And knows that the outcome’s not great. -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) Oh, I’m jealous of how Susie looks! But we’re both of us on tenterhooks To see if our glamour Evokes hoped-for clamor, Or do we both just look like schnooks?! -Bindy Bitterman, Chicago, Illinois (bindy eurekaevanston.com) My friend is a real Nervous Nel. Her anxious state nothing can quell. She’s so full of fear, If someone draws near. On tenterhooks, poor Nel does dwell. -Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) For stories young Belle was on tenterhooks, So villagers happily lent her books. She kept her persona, But elsewhere, Fiona Turned into an ogre -- there went her looks. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) deserts This man who’s so terribly crass, America’s given a pass. Somehow justice he skirts; He gets no just deserts -- He sits in the White House, alas! -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) Hateful nonsense each day Donald blurts, Yet where are the man’s just deserts? I’m non-violent, don’t punch; But if serving his lunch, I’d spill ketchup on one of his shirts. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) “Weeth danger my wife always flirts, But her hijinx receive just deserts,” Ricky often would say. “But I have fun that way,” Is what Lucy would tell Ethel Mertz. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) Puns “Our fettle raise loads of cash for charity again this year!” said the town fair’s organizers. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) “We’re allowed to kilter-rorists, so I’ll just declare that anybody I don’t like is one,” shrugged the president. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) “I’m either going to wear a kilter lederhosen to the costume party, “ Fred told his wife. -Janice Power, Cleveland, Ohio (powerjanice782 gmail.com) “Oh, no! We’re up the c-wreak now,” whined the lost camper to his bunk mates. -Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) “You wreak of alcohol, sir,” said the hair and makeup stylist preparing Secretary Hegseth to address his troops. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) “You’re bothering me, kid. Either go back to your tenterhook a fish,” said the annoyed Boy Scout leader. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) “Oh mon, deserts-o bad,” said the Jamaican who had stubbed his toe. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) Janet called her hew pastry shop, “Just Deserts.” -Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
If there is a God, I don’t think He would demand that anyone bow down or
stand up to him. -Rebecca West, author and journalist (21 Dec 1892-1983)
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