#4. Twit

I thought I'd be funny and give the definition of "twit," which dictionary.com defines as "an insignificant or bothersome person." But little did I know that "twit" actually has several other definitions too. As a verb (used with object) it means "1. to taunt, tease, ridicule, etc., with reference to anything embarrassing; gibe at. 2. to reproach or upbraid." As a noun it means "3. an act of twitting, 4. a derisive reproach; taunt; gibe." A "twit" is also a "weak or thin place in yarn caused by uneven spinning" and "an excited state; dither" as in to be in a twit about company coming.

The word "twitter" is also interesting. As a verb (used without object), it means "1. to utter a succession of small, tremulous sounds, as a bird, 2. to talk lightly and rapidly, esp. of trivial matters; chatter, 3. to titter; giggle, 4. to tremble with excitement or the like; be in a flutter." As a verb (used with object) it means "5. to express or utter by twittering." As a noun, it means "6. an act of twittering, 7. a twittering sound, 8. a state of tremulous excitement."

I already have a twitter account. My handle is Tastebudder, cause I'm in a band called The Taste Buds. Get it? ... Anyway, I don't use twitter all that much, though my friend Aaron uses it a lot for work, and he says it's a valuable information resource. For example, he'll be working on a new software that he doesn't entirely understand and will post a question and will receive help from people around the country in less than an hour. You have to build up your professional connections, but when you do, twitter seems like a helpful resource. It's a good way to build a community of niche interests or to join such a group.