It's True Because I'm the Expert

             Today's new word is . . . .

Usageaster (pronounced you - sig - as - ter)

            We have a few different definitions for the word. According to Dictionary.com, the word refers to a person who assumes that they know enough about language usage to be a professional. I suppose some synonyms for usageaster might be: stickler, word-fusser, grammar-freak, etc.

Examples of the Word:

         Claiming to be an English usage authority, the usageaster proceeded to correct my paper.

          I hardly know anything about grammar. I'm no usageaster.

           A word of warning, dear readers. I checked some other dictionaries, and this word was not present in any of them (look here for the dictionaries that do). This could mean that it is an old word, or it could mean that it is a word that has fallen out of common usage. We writers should remember when choosing the perfect word to choose one that our audiences either know, or can easily access. Nothing trips up a reader more than stumbling across a word that he can't define in context, but don't add to the trouble by using a word the dictionary can't help him with.