The local sheriff was looking for a deputy, so Homer – who was not exactly the sharpest nail in the bucket – went in to try out for the job.
"Okay," the sheriff drawled, "Homer, what is 1 and 1?"
"11," he replied.
The sheriff thought to himself, "That"s not what I meant, but he"s right."
"What two days of the week start with the letter "T"?"
"Today and tomorrow."
He was again surprised that Homer supplied a correct answer that he had never thought of himself.
"Now Homer, listen carefully: Who killed Abraham Lincoln?"
Homer looked a little surprised himself, then thought really hard for a minute and finally admitted, "I don"t know."
"Well, why don"t you go home and work on that one for a while?"
So, Homer wandered over to the pool hall where his pals were waiting to hear the results of the interview. Homer was exultant.
"It went great! First day on the job and I"m already working on a murder case!"
adj. (of a phrase, observation, etc.) Hackneyed. tritely adv. Triteness n. [latin tero trit- rub]
TROLL
n. (in scandinavian folklore) fabulous being, esp. A giant or dwarf dwelling in a cave. [old norse]
- v. Fish by drawing bait along in the water. [perhaps related to french troller to quest]
TROOP
—n. - assembled company; assemblage of people or animals.
- (in pl.) Soldiers, armed forces.
- cavalry unit under a captain.
- unit of artillery or armoured vehicles.
- grouping of three or more scout patrols. —v. (foll. By in, out, off, etc.) Come together or move in large numbers. troop the colour transfer a flag ceremonially at a public mounting of garrison guards. [french troupe]
TROPE
n. Figurative use of a word. [greek tropos from trepo turn]
TROTH
n. Archaic 1 faith, loyalty.
- truth. pledge (or plight) one's troth pledge one's word, esp. In marriage or betrothal. [old english: related to *truth]
TROUT
n. (pl. Same or -s) fish related to the salmon, valued as food. [latin tructa]
TROVE
n. = *treasure trove. [anglo-french trove from trover find]
TRUCE
n. Temporary agreement to cease hostilities. [originally trewes pl.: old english, = covenant: related to *true]
TRUCK
n. - lorry.
- open railway wagon for freight. [perhaps from *truckle]
- n. Dealings. have no truck with avoid dealing with. [french troquer]
TRULY
adv. - sincerely (am truly grateful).
- really, indeed (truly, i do not know).
- loyally (served them truly).
- accurately (is not truly depicted).
- properly (well and truly). [old english: related to *true]
