Word of the day (and how!)

Every so often, my friendly Dr Dictionary dishes up a treat. I am particularly fond of this one.


tmesis \TMEE-sis\, noun:

In grammar and rhetoric, the separation of the parts of a
compound word, now generally done for humorous effect; for
example, "what place soever" instead of "whatsoever place," or
"abso-bloody-lutely."

If on the first, how heinous e'er it be,
To win thy after-love I pardon thee.
--Shakespeare, Richard II

His income-tax return, he remarked, was the "most rigged-up
marole" he'd ever seen.
--Frederic Packard

In two words, im possible.
--Samuel Goldwyn
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Tmesis is from Greek tmesis, "a cutting," from temnein, "to
cut."