Photo credit: Mike Licht via Flickr CC-BY
Last week, as I listened to news reports about former FBI Director James Comey’s Congressional hearings, I heard journalists refer to the “contemporaneous notes” Mr. Comey kept about his meetings with President Trump. The word sounded familiar, but I didn’t exactly know what it meant. I should have – when you break it down to its Latin roots, it makes sense.
Contemporaneous \kən-ˌtem-pə-ˈrā-nē-əs\ adjective from Latin contemporaneus, from com– together + tempor-, tempus time
- existing, occurring, or originating during the same time; usually used in reference to events
For example,
Contemporaneous reports confirmed that the shooter was in the school building.
I guess the journalists reporting on Comey’s notes believed that he wrote them very close in time to his meetings with President Trump. Read more at Merriam-Webster.
Word Nerd Workout
Can you think of a synonym for contemporaneous? My suggestion: simultaneous.
If you like learning about words, visit Kathy’s blog at Bermuda Onion for Wondrous Words Wednesday.
Thanks for getting nerdy with me today!
It reminds me of the word “extemporaneous,” which I’ve heard often. I take contemporaneous notes when I’m listening to a speaker – I find it helps me stay focused. I wish the schools would teach contemporaneous note-taking better – it’s a valuable skill for students to have.
I will leave a contemporaneous comment to encourage more thoughtful wordsmithing!
Very clever, Dean!
I like this word, Julia, and thought Comey very clever for keeping his contemporaneous notes as the gave him needed credibility! I often keep my own while listening to a speaker or podcast – people are so interesting and constantly fueling the writing! Are you keeping contemporaneous notes while building homes in Tennessee? Possibly difficult…
I am a huge note taker – school board meetings, etc. Taking notes helps me absorb the information and stay awake. Sometimes it’s hard to take contemporaneous notes as I listen to podcasts as I am usually running or cooking when I do. Thank goodness for Evernote – it makes noting easier! No notes taken while building in TN… some photos were taken though! 😉
Excellent!