The main idea behind the verb prepare is readiness, whether getting ready for something (prepare for a speech), or making something or someone ready (the nurse prepared the patient for surgery). The verb gird is a suitable synonym in only a few situations because it means, specifically, to prepare oneself for action, as in a defendant who girds himself for an upcoming trial. Gird originally meant “to encircle or bind with a belt or band,” as in the expression gird (up) one’s, which originally alluded to tucking up the traditional long robe into a girdle (that is, a belt) so it would not hamper physical activity. Today girding up one’s loins carries the same meaning as the shorter gird, that is to say, preparing oneself for action.

What's the difference between a joke and a wisecrack? Well, for starters, a joke is more likely to be in a question-and-answer format! A joke is something said or done to provoke laughter or cause amusement, whether it be a knock-knock joke, a prank, or a short, amusing anecdote. The noun wisecrack is more specific: this term is defined as a smart or facetious remark, usually a one-liner that pokes fun at someone or something. A wisecrack is not exactly a pun, which typically involves a play on words, nor is it a gag, which sometimes involves a prank or boisterous physical humor. A wisecrack is closer to a quip or gibe, which is a taunting or sarcastic remark.

A sarcastic remark is one that is sharply ironic or sneering, often intended for humorous effect. Sarcasm is often conveyed through vocal inflection, and may be used in an indirect manner, as in “What a fine musician you turned out to be!” or in the form of a direct statement, “You couldn't play one piece correctly if you had two assistants.” The adjective caustic is defined as “severely critical” or (lo and behold!) “sarcastic.” To understand how it’s different from sarcastic, it’s helpful to look at the original meaning of caustic, “capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue.” A caustic agent, such as lye (which is also called caustic soda), is one that can cause tissue damage. The destructive force of this primary sense is carried into figurative uses of the term: a caustic remark is one that can wound or corrode—even in service of a joke.