Automagical \ [aw-toh-maj-i-kuh l]

Adjectivective

1. (of a usually complicated technical or computer process) done,

operating, or happening in a way that is hidden from or not understood

by the user, and in that sense, apparently “magical”:

I just downloaded an automagical update to my word processing

software that somehow fixed the problems.

Quote

According to Sterling, the result "is that I no longer inventory my possessions

inside my own head. They're inventoried through an automagical inventory

voodoo, work done far beneath my notice by a host of machines. I no longer

bother to remember where I put things."

...Marcus Boon, In Praise of Copying, 2010

Origin

Automagical entered English in the 1980’s. Its first element, auto, stems from

the Greek autómatos meaning "self-moving"; magical can be traced to the

Greek magikós.

Friday, 1 July 2016

Friday 1^st July 2016

Supererogatory \ /ˌsuːpərɛˈrɒɡətərɪ; -trɪ/

Adjective

1. performed to an extent exceeding that required or expected

2. exceeding what is needed; superfluous

3. (RC Church) of, characterizing, or relating to prayers, good works,etc,

performed over and above those prescribed as obligatory

Quote

But you are always given to surprise me with abundant kindness—with

supererogatory kindness. I believe in that, certainly.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Elizabeth Barrett Browning to H. S. Boyd,

August 14, 1844

Origin

Supererogatory stems from the Medieval Latin superērogātōrius, with the

rootword ērogāre meaning "to pay out." It entered English in the late 1500's.