Pronunciation: [ 'mey-vn]
Definition: An expert or connoisseur; someone with profound knowledge of a subject.
Usage: "Maven" is a lexical orphan without an adjective or verb to accompany it. The Hebrew plural, "mavinim," is used only facetiously. The spelling "mavin" has alternated with the current spelling over the past century but most dictionaries have now settled on the spelling we use above (notice Leo Rosten's spelling below).
Suggested Usage: Leo Rosten in 'The Joys of Yiddish' (1968) writes, "Mavin was recently given considerable publicity in a series of newspaper advertisements for herring tidbits. ‘The Herring Mavin Strikes Again!’ proclaimed the caption. The picture showed an empty jar." He then adds, "A real advertising mavin must have thought that up."
|
|
0 评论:
发表评论