Tuesday’s Awesome Word — 10/25

Sea Lions are famously gregarious creatures. (Image (C) http://www.dolphintrainer.com)

“Poor Fred,” said Jane, “he’s such a loner.  He never mingles with others.”
“Indeed,” replied Fred, “but why are you talking about me in the third-person when I’m sitting right here?”
“Sorry,” Jane answered.  “But seriously, have you tried to be more gregarious?”
“Gre-what?!”
Gregarious,” she repeated.  “It’s pronounced greh’GARE’ee’uhs.”
“I’m sure it is,” Fred remarked.  “But what ever does it mean?”

Jane, being the nice—and gregarious person that she was—proceeded to explain that gregarious means pretty much the opposite of Fred.  A gregarious person is one who mingles with others or is fond of their company.

Gregarious can apply to more than just humans.  Animals which tend to live and roam about in groups are often considered gregarious.  Frogs, for example, are not gregarious—they will often wander the wetlands on their own.  Penguins, on the other hand, are rarely found far from other penguins.  Gregarious animals—like gregarious people—prefer the company of others.

Editor’s Note: This post was written by Mark Jacobs.  Mark is an editor for The Jet Fuel Review and Blog.  He is an Aviation major, but the left side of his brain is an avid writer.  Mark is a sophomore and works a few hours a week as a tutor in the Writing Center in this school year.

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