Words October 2026 Week 1

“Equi” means “equal” and “nox” means night so, “equinox” means day and night are equal. (Spring (vernal) equinox is on March 20 or 21 and autumnal equinox is on September 22 or 23.)

The Jack-0-Lantern is supposed to keep away evil spirits. (It was believed that evil spirits would roam the earth looking for peoples’ bodies to enter.)

November 1 is All Saints Day, a.k.a. All Hallows Day, so the night before is All Hallows Eve. (Instead of fearing evil spirits, Christians asked the Druids to pray for and honor good spirits, a.k.a. saints.)

There are over 100 different types of squash grown around the world, divided into two main groups: summer squash and winter squash. (Summer squashes usually have a thin skin which can be eaten.)

He had a resonating baritone voice. (A resonating baritone voice is a deep, warm, and rich male singing or speaking voice.)

She did not have periodic cancer exams. (If she did, they might have found her cancer in the early stages.)

I have annual physical exams. (He gets a health check once a year.)

I check my blood pressure daily. (Some people check in the morning and again in the evening.)

I had to fast for 12 hours before the test. (She could not eat for 12 hours.)

My brother-in-law died from cancer. (Her husband’s brother passed away from cancer.)

Racial profiling is targeting individuals for suspicion of a crime based on their race, religion, or national origin rather than on actual evidence or specific behavior. (Racial profiling can damage trust between individuals and law enforcement.)

A bear paw poacher refers to someone who illegally kills bears to harvest and sell their paws on the black market. (Elephants and rhinos are commonly poached.)

She took her dog to a vet clinic. (The veterinarian gave the dog a health exam.)

I dried the laundry in the bathroom. (It has been raining almost every day.)

I have a dehumidifier. (This machine removes moisture from the air.)

The O.+Beans Café is located at 1 Chome-843 Komakicho. (Many of the menu dishes use fermented soybeans, a.k.a. “nat O funny”.)

Six of us went to a restaurant after the meeting. (They often go to the same restaurant after their biannual meetings. “Biannual” means “twice a year” and “biennial” means “every two years, or “every other year.”)

It is confusing to order food frm a tablet. (I agree. I prefer having a waitperson take my order.)

We have a storge building in our yard. (It is a so-so large old building.)

He tripped, fell and injured the right side of his face. (His upper cheek is swollen and black-and-blue.)

She felt dizzy and staggered a little while walking. (She wasn’t feeling well so she went home soon.)

I went to an orthopedic clinic, a.k.a. bone doctor. (He has had a strong pain in his upper leg for a few months, so he went to a different clinic for a second opinion.)

He bought a blood pressure monitor. (A sphygmomanometer also known as a blood pressure monitor, blood pressure machine, or blood pressure gauge is a device used to measure blood pressure.)

National Golf Day is on May 10, and National Golf Lover's Day is celebrated on October 4. (Someone asked if golf had a special day on the calendar – well now you know.)

Haiku:

Five syllables here

Seven more syllables there

Are you happy now?