Polygraph /ˈpälēˌɡraf/ Noun A device that measures changes in physiological responses, such as pulse and breathing rate, and is commonly used as a lie detector. A polygraph machine doesn’t detect lies. It detects physiological changes that occur in a person’s body in response to a stimulus, the stimulus being a question posed by the polygraph examiner. – Philip Houston

Clever /ˈklevər/ Adjective 1. quick to understand, learn, and devise or apply ideas, smart, good at doing things I would prefer as friend a good man ignorant than one more clever who is evil too. – Euripides (480 BC – 406 BC) 2. sensible, well-advised Nothing is often a good thing to say, and always a clever thing to say. – Will Durant (1885-1981)

Allegory /ˈaləˌɡôrē/ Noun a story with a moral in which characters are used as symbols, a fable It is remarkable how a man cannot summarize his thoughts in even the most general sort of way without betraying himself completely, without putting his whole self into it, quite unawares, presenting as if in allegory the basic themes and problems of his life. – Thomas Mann... Read More

Hazard /ˈhazərd/ Noun/Verb noun 1. a danger, a risk Our technological powers increase but the side effects and potential hazards also escalate.  – Alvin Toffler (1928-2016) 2. chance, probability I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence. – Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) verb 3. To... Read More

Narrative /ˈnerədiv/ Noun a story, a history, a recital I think we’re always in the process of writing and rewriting the story of our lives, forming our experiences into a narrative that makes sense. – Sam Keen (1931-2025)

Jaunt /jônt/ Noun a short trip I’ve liked lots of people ’til I went on a picnic jaunt with them. – Bess Truman (1885-1982)