Sunday 28 September 2008

Words that should be used more often (part 7)

"Traipse" as used in the Argos TV ad.

Definition: To tramp or trudge wearily / A tedious journey on foot *

Most consumer groups advise you to shop around to find a good deal. Some people (not me) actually enjoy the experience of 'going shopping'.

Contrariwise, the Argos message (as with any department store / big catalogue) is that you don't have to, because you can find everything you need in one place.

So they take the positive 'shop around' and turn it into the negative 'traipse around'.

Your challenge this week is to use the word "traipse" as often as possible. And if you don't want to do that, then try using the word "contrariwise."

* Source: The Concise Oxford Dictionary

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