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Amusing verses that shine a light on mostly medical and grammatical topics

​When proofreading with an eye to perfection, there really is no substitute for good research. While one is always guided by the client's stated preferences regarding style, there is also a baseline understanding that serves as the foundation against which required differences are compared.

I will be offering some home-grown verses here that may be helpful for keeping certain basics in mind while adapting to the guidelines of a specific project, whether under the umbrella of CMOS, AP, APA, MLA, or other guidance.

They are not intended to be comprehensive regarding any particular issue. Rather, the purpose is to draw attention to identifiable aspects that are worth noting and make them memorable.

I think of these verses tongue in cheek as "Grammar Grist." Others that you find here will be more along the lines of "Medical Musings"; some might even qualify as a combination of the two.

It'll be fun. So, let's do it. Share the cheer everywhere.


© 2022 - 2026 Medillumina 
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​(A proofreader's note regarding “enervate” and “innervate”)

Innervate and enervate, rooted in Latin,
Share nervus as venerated one.
With “nerve” as a meaning, like “sinew” and “tendon,”
It spoke of the “strong” and not wan.

Its offspring though similar in general appearance
Do differ in meaning and sound;
The “en” as with “end” and the “in” like “instill” 
Put a contrast in emphases found.

Here, prefixes Latin distinguish the meanings
Of these verbs of energy and force;
The “en” seen in “enervate” offers us “out of”
To tell of a purpose, of course.

Thus “enervate” came from a verb that enacted
“Removal of sinew to weaken”:
“To lessen the strength or vitality of” something,
Including the mental as stricken.

With emphasis given to syllable second,
“Innervate” doth mean “to supply
With nerves” or “to fire up by impulses various,”
“To energize” truly or nigh.

“She said the descriptor 'enervate' was different:
'It enervates “en”—and with grace.'
If only this insight would serve to innervate,
The team its first win might embrace.”

​“'Innervate' may sound like word 'inner' in starting
For those who don't enervate 'in.'
Enjoying this option innervates some people,
Though others may think it a sin.”

​“The cross-country race was their way to test stamina
And enervate all but the fit.
The band would be there to innervate the winner,
Reducing the chance of a sit.”




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(A proofreader's note regarding “amiable” and “amicable”)

When Amy and Abel join hands at their table,
Then “amiable” may be perceived.
The soft-landing sounds of the “ami” and “able”
With feelings of love are received;

For “amiable” stands on its Latin origin
Of “lover” or “personal friend.”
Its meanings as “friendly” and “generally agreeable”
Do mainly to persons attend.

Exceptions, though rare, are both fair and accepted
Since traits of personality and more
Described yet as “having a quality that pleases”
Are “amiable” things to the core.

Though similar in origin, our “amicable” is different
With “friendly goodwill” at its heart.
The “c” in the center reminds one of “contracts,”
Where “amicable” long had its start.

Describing agreements, relations, and attitudes,
It caters to things but not people;
Expressing “characterized by a friendly goodwill,” 
With an emphasis clearly on “peaceable.”

“They worked laying cable, both Hammy and Abel,
And amicable were their disputes.
They ended their toiling with amiable smiling,
Still glad to be not wearing suits.”

​
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​(A proofreader's note regarding “callous” and “callus”)

A calling in common have “callus” and “callous,”
“Hard skin” in the Latin as root,
But origins closer have rendered a contrast
Through function-words acting to suit.

For “callus” derives from “a skin that is thickened”
And “callous” from “thick-skinned/hard.”
So “callus” as noun in most cases will function;
The other is adjective at heart.

Thus “callus” is meant as “a hard thickened area
Of skin or plant tissue or bone
That forms after injury or pressure or friction”--
A natural response that is known.

With “callous,” instead, we have most a descriptor
That “hardened and thickened” will say;
“Insensitive,” also, and “lacking true feeling”
And “having a callus” its way.

Yet both of these words may be verbs in their usage,
Less commonly, though, it appears:
“To bring about calluses—forming them onto,”
“To make a thing callous” with tears.

Since “having a callus” from “callous” arises,
The verbs will of overlap tell.
So “callused” and “calloused” contend to be used
Interchangeably well where they mell.

“By offering a hand that was callous and dirty,
He meant to show callous consent.
His palm with its confluence of calluses countless
Was spurned by both lady and gent.”

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(A proofreader's note regarding “explicit” and “implicit”)

The “ex” of “explicit,” the “im” of “implicit”
Do signal a difference most clear
These adjectives have in the meanings they’re given,
Though same in the suffix they share.

Their Latin ancestors have contrary actions;
To “fold” as a verb they relate.
“Explicit” derives from “unfold” (think “unravel”),
So “fully revealed” is its state,

Like “clearly expressed” and “fully developed”
And “open in sexual themes”
(With rational link to exposed as a concept);
“Unambiguous,” too, which redeems.

“Implicit,” instead, from “to fold on itself,” has
“Not stated/revealed” as inherent;
“Discernible/understood sans an unfolding,”
“Involved in its nature apparent,”

“Not lessened by doubt,” and “implied, not unraveled”--
These meanings all harbor a clue:
“Implicit” elicits “implied” and “embedded”;
“Explicit”—“explained” as its due.
  
“The rules of the project were brief but explicit,
Though one was implicit, it seemed:
Implied was the need for correctness of spelling,
Implicit since words would be gleaned.”

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(A proofreader's note regarding “luxurious” and “luxuriant”)

“Luxurious,” “luxuriant” share ancestry in “luxus,”
Thus “luxury,” extravagant “excess.”
Dissimilar they are in that latter word listed, 
With differences there to address.

Abundance in excess beyond expectations,
Or needs that are normally had,
Were painted out first in the former descriptor;
“Luxuriant” came later—a tad.

“Luxurious” by meaning “related to luxury”
Depicts also “comfort and ease”;
And “showing a love of such pleasures of luxury”
Is likewise a sense, if you please.

“Of finest and richest kind,” also another,
Bestows more of breadth to its brush.
The area of focus is opulence mainly,
With excess there favored as plush.

“Luxuriant,” in contrast, on “growth” has its focus,
Much less on the trappings of wealth;
Abundance of things in their flourishing nature,
Displaying an excess of health.

“His hair was described as luxuriant and glossy--
Abundantly growing, such flair.
Luxurious the living he quickly envisioned;
A pity the hair was from mare.”
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​(A proofreader's note regarding “inoculate” and “inculcate”)

“Inoculate” and “inculcate” are tantalizing lookers,
Displaying most letters as shared.
As actors apparent, their meanings will differ,
With only one likeness there dared.

Both verbs in their actions portray an “implanting”;
A likeness would then not surprise.
For “inculcate” skillful, the mind is the target,
Which limits the way it applies.

At first, “to inoculate” meant grafting in planting,
A bud (or “eye”--oculus) moved;
“To introduce an item right into another”;
This meaning at core was thus grooved.

When items delivered were immunologically active,
The sense of “protecting” arose;
To foster resistance by sending foes weakened,
Or strengthen a metal by dose.

Thus several the targets “inoculate” delights in; 
Another one clearly the mind.
Since “inculcate” teaches with mental impressions,
“Inoculate” is like it by kind.

“‘A teacher must inculcate, repeating instructions,’
The leader was heard to proclaim.
He wished with his words to inoculate even
The ones who avoided his fame.”

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(A proofreader's note regarding “adverse” and “averse”)

“Adverse” and “averse,” although visually similar
Apart from a “d” to divide,
As adjectives serve that are strikingly different
While sharing “against” as their guide.

“Adverse” in its meanings of “acting against one,” 
“Unfavorable,” “hostile,” and “bad,”
Describes mostly things that are truly external,
Not feelings internal we've had.

In contrast, “averse” has a focus that's personal,
Relating a state more than angst--
“Disliking, “opposed,” and “unwilling,” “reluctant,”
Descriptors of feeling against.

“Averse” is distinguished as different in usage
 When “to” is seen tacked on as tail.
A noun may precede it to herald its coming,
As other words also unveil.

When choosing between the two words of our study,
“Aversion” may serve as a key:
If thinking “averse” is then linked to “aversion,”
Reminder of “feeling” comes free.

“The hiker retreated, 'averse to' rock climbing,
But claimed he was not 'risk averse.'
'Averse' was his partner though hiding her feelings,
Contending that naught was 'adverse.'”

​
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(A proofreader's note regarding “certainty” and “certitude”)

Since “certainty” and “certitude” are centered on “certain,”
Let's see what its meanings would find:
“Dependable,” “settled,” “inevitable,” “fail-safe,”
“Assured well in action or mind.”

When “certainty” postures as “something that's certain,”
These adjectives stand there on hand.
Elsewhere as its role is “the state of being certain,”
A part that's more mental and grand.

This “absolute conviction” as meaning of “certainty”
Arises for “certitude” as well,
Synonymous with “certainty” across the full gamut
Except as one's attitude might tell.

For “certitude” is favored when point of view mental
Relates to beliefs more than facts;
This “freedom from doubting” is taken as valid
Though some may consider it lax.

“Emboldening his comment was constancy of friendship,
A 'certainty' of numerous years.
He said that her stance was of 'certitude' surely
And saw that she still had no fears.”

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(A proofreader's note regarding “discomfort” and “discomfit”)

“Discomfort,” “discomfit,” the words of our study,
Though sharing their starting two-thirds,
Have different origins and meanings distinctive,
And one sense in common for nerds.

“Discomfit” came first as a verb that was special;
Misuse as “discomfort” was next.
And given “unease” at the core of the latter,
This sense of “discomfit” was blest.

But rooted in meaning “undo and completely,”
“Discomfit” is much more intense;
To “thwart” or “frustrate” and “perplex” or “embarrass”--
These verbs with “discomfit” are friends.

And thus as a verb our “discomfit” will function
In most of its cases and clues.
Though subtly alluring the same-sounding noun,
“Discomfiture” is favored in use.

“Discomfort,” in contrast, as noun is most offered,
The other form less often found;
A “state of uneasiness, mental or physical,”
Its meaning is simple and sound.

“'Discomfit' the word was the teacher's new topic;
Its focus more mental, her theme.
The slides on the screen with a view to 'discomfit'
Were planned to elicit a scream.”

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Authors

Literary posts by Duane Beaumont, M.D., Ph.D.

Photos and paintings by Patrice Beaumont

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