Welcome to The Mad Logophile. Here, we explore words; their origins, evolution, usage. Words are alive. Words are born, they change and, sometimes, they die. They are our principal tool for communicating with one another. There are over one million words in the English language yet only an estimated 171,476 words are in common current use. As a logophile, I enjoy discovering new words, using them and learning about their origins. Please join in.
One of the Right's favorite epithets for Liberals is "elitist." Because in their world, learning is bad and knowledge is stupid (sorry... stoopid). But we know better. Imagine the laughs you'll have if you use some of the words we're going to play with tonight in the presence of wingnuts. Use them in comments or posts. Or if you crash a Teagbagger rally. Oh, the heads you'll asplode!
The dictionary defines elite as "the choice or best of anything considered collectively..." These words are elite but anybody can use them and sound smart. That's the wonderful thing about words, anyone can discover them and use them and enjoy them. Using these words won't make you smarter... then again, they might... so let's have a go, shall we? The easiest way to do this is (sorry) dictionary style. Please note that I have given the first pronunciation as it appears in the dictionary.
►Acrimony: [AK-ruh-moh-nee] sharpness, harshness, or bitterness of nature, speech, disposition, etc. From the Latin acrimonia "sharpness, pungency of taste." Also as an adjective, acrimonious in reference to dispositions, discourse, debate, et.al. The public discourse about health care reform has been steeped in acrimony.
►Ascertain: [as-er-TEYN] to inform or give assurance; to find out certainly; determine. From Old French acertener "to assure." President Obama wished to ascertain the motives of the Iranians.
►Assuage:[uh-SWEYJ] to make less severe; to soothe, calm or mollify; appease, allay, relieve. From the Latin ad- "to" + suavis "sweet, agreeable." Many feel that the President has tried too hard to assuage Republican objections to his agenda.
►Baroque: [buh-ROHK] of or pertaining to a style of architecture and art originating in Italy in the early 17th century emphasizing dramatic, often strained effect and typified by bold, curving forms, elaborate ornamentation, and overall balance of disparate parts; extravagant, complex, or bizarre. From the French baroque "irregular," from Portuguese barroco "imperfect pearl." The workings of the Senate seem baroque to the layperson.
►Byzantine: [BIZ-uhn-teen] of or pertaining to the Byzantine Empire; complex or intricate; characterized by elaborate scheming and intrigue. Nobody but a financial wizard can understand the Byzantine workings of the Federal Reserve.
►Capricious: [kuh-PRISH-uhs] impulsive and unpredictable; characterized by or subject to whim. From a musical term for a kind of free composition, from Italian capriccio "sudden start or motion." The electorate can be a capricious entity.
►Dearth: [durth] scarcity; inadequate supply; lack; shortage of food. From Old English derthe "scarcity," an abstract noun formed from Old English deore "precious, costly." Originally used of famines, when food was costly because of its scarcity. There was a dearth of Progressive candidates for the Senate seat.
►Dilettante: [DIL-i-tahnt] someone who is interested in the fine arts as a spectator, not as a serious practitioner; a lover of an art or science. Borrowed from the Italian dilettante, "lover of music or painting." The pejorative sense emerged in the late 18th century. Sarah Palin is a dilettante of serious political thought.
►Élan: [ey-LAHN] enthusiastic vigor and liveliness; distinctive style or flair. From Old French eslan, "rush," from eslancer, "to hurl." Ted Kennedy fought his political battles with characteristic élan.
►Ennui: [ahn-WEE] listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest; boredom. From Old French enui "annoyance." Many voters suffer from ennui in off-year elections.
►Epistemology: [ih-pis-tuh-MOL-uh-jee] branch of philosophy that studies the nature of knowledge, its presuppositions and foundations, and its extent and validity. Epistemology asks the question "How do we know what we know?" Coined by Scottish philosopher James F. Ferrier (1808-64) from Greek episteme "knowledge." The scientific (as opposed to philosophical) study of the roots and paths of knowledge is epistemics. Like all other sciences, epistemology should start from self-evident facts, namely the facts of knowledge and certitude.
►Eponymous: [uh-PON-uh-muhs] given as a name, giving one's name to something. From Greek eponymos, from epi- "upon" + onyma, "name." Genesis released their eponymous album halfway through their career.
►Equivocate: [ih-KWIV-uh-keyt] to use ambiguous or unclear expressions, usually to avoid commitment or in order to mislead; prevaricate or hedge. From Middle English equivocaten. When asked about his changing positions, McCain will always equivocate.
►Eschatology: [es-kuh-TOL-uh-jee] branch of theology that is concerned with the end of the world or of humankind; the study of the four last things: death, judgment, heaven, hell. From Greek eskhatos "last, furthest, remote" from ex "out of") + -logia "a speaking" (in a certain manner). Many Charismatic Christian sects are overly concerned with eschatology.
►Eschew: [es-CHOO] to abstain or keep away from; shun; avoid. From Old French eschiver, from Frankish skiuhan "dread, avoid, shun." Glen Beck seems to eschew any real knowledge of history.
►Exegesis: [ek-si-JEE-sis] critical explanation or analysis, especially of a text. From Greek exegeisthai "explain, interpret," from ex- "out" + hegeisthai "to lead, guide." Some people would benefit from an exegesis of the Bible.
►Glib: fluency of speech or writing that often suggests insincerity, superficiality, or a lack of concern; with a natural, offhand ease. Possibly shortening of obsolete glibbery "slippery," from Low German glibberig "smooth, slippery." Tom Cruise accused Matt Lauer of being glib about mental illness when it is, in fact, Mr. Cruise who is glib about it.
►Inchoate: [in-KOH-it] in an initial or early stage; imperfectly formed or developed. From Latin inchoatus, originally "to hitch up," from in- "on" + cohum "strap fastened to the oxen's yoke." Environmental legislation in the Senate is inchoate.
►Insidious: [in-SID-ee-uhs] working or spreading harmfully in a subtle or stealthy manner; treacherous; beguiling but harmful. From Latin insidiosus "deceitful," from insidiæ "plot, snare, ambush." The misinformation being spread by the Right is insidious and dangerous.
►Juxtaposition: [juhk-stuh-puh-ZISH-uhn] the act or instance of placing two or more things side by side, especially for comparison. Coined in France 17th century from Latin juxta "beside, near" + French position. The juxtaposition of Senate and House is striking in the amount of work done.
►Liminal: [LIM-uh-nl] of or relating to a threshold; at the threshold of a physiological or psychological response. From Latin limen "threshold." Adolescence is a liminal phase between child and adult.
►Litany: [LIT-n-ee] liturgical prayer consisting of a series of petitions recited by a leader alternating with fixed responses by the congregation; a recitation or recital that resembles a litany; a prolonged or tedious account. From Greek litaneia "litany, an entreating," from lite "prayer, supplication, entreaty." The Congressman had to listen to a litany of demands from his constituents.
►Machiavellian: [mak-ee-uh-VEL-ee-uhn] being or acting in accordance with the principles of government in which political expediency is placed above morality and the use of craft and deceit to maintain the authority and carry out the policies of a ruler; characterized by subtle or unscrupulous cunning, deception, expediency, or dishonesty; someone who acts in such a manner. From Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527), Florentine statesman and author of Del Principe, a work advising rulers to place advantage above morality. A word of abuse in English well before his works were translated. The full extent of Dick Cheney's Machiavellian handiwork is just beginning to come to light.
►Malaise: [ma-LEYZ] vague feeling of bodily discomfort, as at the beginning of an illness; general sense of depression or unease. From French malaise, literally "ill-ease," from mal "bad" + aise "ease." The malaise shown by Democratic voters is turning around.
►Misnomer: [mis-NOH-mer] error in naming a person or place; application of a wrong name; a name wrongly or unsuitably applied to a person or an object. From Middle French mesnomer "to misname," from mes- "wrongly" + nomer "to name." Tea Party is a misnomer indicating an ignorance of history.
►Non sequitur: [non SEK-wi-ter] an inference or a conclusion that does not follow from the premises; a statement containing an illogical conclusion. From Latin, literally "it does not follow." Glen Beck's crazy theories are a never-ending string on non sequiturs.
►Obverse: [n. OB-vurs; adj. ob-VURS] noun, side of a coin, medal, or badge that bears the principal stamp or design; the more conspicuous of two possible alternatives, cases, or sides; the counterpart of a proposition obtained by exchanging the affirmative for the negative quality of the whole proposition and then negating the predicate: adjective, turned toward the observer; corresponding to something else as a counterpart. From Latin obversus, "to turn toward or against," from ob "toward" + vertere "to turn." The opposite of reverse. The obverse of "Every act is predictable" is "No act is unpredictable."
►Ontology: [on-TOL-uh-jee] branch of metaphysics that deals with the nature of being; metaphysics (used loosely). coined in 1721, from Modern Latin ontologia (coined in French by Jean le Clerc), from Greek on "being" + -logia "writing about, study of." Not just beliefs change, but also the underlying ontology.
►Ostentatious: [os-ten-TEY-shuhs] characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others; intended to attract notice. From Middle French ostentation (mid-14c.), from Latin ostentare "to display." She's a very nice lady but an ostentatious dresser.
►Ostracize: [OS-truh-sahyz] to banish or expel; to exclude from a group; abolish. A method of banishment in ancient Athens, by which the citizens gathered and wrote the names of men they deemed dangerous to the state on potsherds or tiles, and a man whose name turned up often enough was sent away. From Greek ostrakismos, from ostrakizein "to ostracize." Since revelations about his affair, John Edwards has been virtually ostracized by the Democratic party.
►Panacea: [pan-uh-SEE-uh] a remedy for all disease or ills; cure-all; an answer or solution for all problems or difficulties; an ancient Greek goddess of healing. From Greek panakeia "cure-all," from pan- "all" + akos "cure." Though President Obama is working to change things, he is not a panacea.
►Perfunctory: [per-FUHNGK-tuh-ree] performed merely as a routine duty; hasty and superficial; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; indifferent or apathetic. From Lower Latin perfunctorius "careless, negligent," literally "like one who wishes to get through a thing." The Senator performed his work in a perfunctory manner since he was a lame duck.
►Perspicacity: [pur-spi-KAS-i-tee] acuteness of perception, discernment, or understanding. From Later Latin perspicacitas "sharp-sightedness, discernment," from Latin perspicere "look through." Perspicacity is a desired trait for any political pundit.
►Philistine: [FIL-uh-steen] a person who is lacking in, hostile or smugly indifferent to cultural values, intellectual pursuits, aesthetic refinement, etc., or is contentedly commonplace in ideas and tastes; lacking in or hostile to culture; smugly commonplace or conventional; of or belonging to the ancient Philistines. The Philistines were neighbors (and enemies) of ancient Israel. Its modern use originated in late 17th century Germany as a contemptuous term for "townies," and hence, by extension, "any uncultured person." Fly-over country is seen by many to be full of Philistines.
►Plethora: [PLETH-er-uh] over abundance; an excess; excess of blood in the circulatory system or in one organ or area. From Greek plethore "fullness." There was a plethora of pinatas at the party.
►Preclude: [pri-KLOOD] make impossible, as by action taken in advance; prevent; exclude or prevent (someone) from a given condition or activity. From Latin præcludere "to close, shut off, impede," from præ- "before, ahead" + claudere "to shut." Sarah Palin's ignorance of policy should preclude her from being a viable candidate for President.
►Precocious: [pri-KOH-shuhs] unusually advanced or mature in development; prematurely developed, as the mind or faculties; of or pertaining to premature development; (botany) blossoming before the appearance of leaves. From Latin præcox "maturing early," from præ- "before" + coquere "to ripen." Originally of flowers or fruits. In the 80s, there were many TV shows that featured a precocious child.
►Pulchritude: [puhl-kri-tood] great physical beauty and appeal; physical beauty; comeliness. From Latin pulchritudo, from pulcher "beautiful," of unknown origin. Obama's pulchritude is held against him by some of his critics.
►Quintessential: [kwin-tuh-SEN-shuhl] of, relating to, or having the nature of a quintessence; being the most typical; the most perfect embodiment of something; the fifth essence or element (ether). From Middle Latin quinta essentia, from Latin quinta, femenine of quintus "fifth" + essentia ""being, essence." The "ether" was added by Aristotle to the four known elements (water, earth, fire, air) and said to permeate all things. Rahm Emmanuel is said to be the quintessential Chicago politician.
►Recalcitrant: [ri-KAL-si-truhnt] stubborn resistance to and defiance of authority or guidance; not obedient or compliant; hard to deal with, manage, or operate. From French récalcitrant, literally "kicking back", past participle of recalcitrare "to kick back," from re- "back" + L. calcitrare "to kick." President Obama is trying hard to rein in recalcitrant Congress persons.
►Rhetoric: [RET-er-ik] the undue use of exaggeration or display; bombast; the art or science of all specialized literary uses of language; the study of the effective use of language; the art of influencing the thought and conduct of an audience. From Greek rhetorike techne "art of an orator," from rhetor "orator," literally "that which is spoken." A rhetorical question is a question asked solely to produce an effect or to make an assertion and not to elicit a reply, such as "Why is Palin so dumb?" The rhetoric coming from Teabaggers and their supporters in the government is becoming more dangerous.
►Supercilious: [soo-per-SIL-ee-uhs] haughtily disdainful or contemptuous; arrogant, scornful. From Latin superciliosus "haughty, arrogant," from supercilium literally "eyebrow" (as in raising the eyebrow to express haughtiness). It's hard for some politicians to hide their supercilious attitudes.
►Supersede: [soo-per-seed] to take the place of; replace; to set aside or cause to be set aside as void, useless, or obsolete; to succeed or supplant. From Latin supersedere , from super "above" (see super-) + sedere "to sit." The big question right now is - who will supersede Stevens as a Supreme Court Justice?
►Svengali: [sven-GAH-lee] someone who completely dominates another, usually with selfish or sinister motives. After the evil hypnotist of the same name in the novel Trilby (1894) by George Du Maurier. Many think that Cheney was Svengali to Bush's Trilby.
►Synecdoche: [si-NEK-duh-kee] figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole or the whole for a part; less often, the specific for the general and the general for the specific or the material for the thing made from it. From Greek synekdokhe, literally "a receiving together or jointly," from synekdekhesthai "supply a thought or word, take with something else," from syn- "with" + ek "out" + dekhesthai "to receive." Related to metonymy-the replacement of a word by one closely related to the original. Using "Seattle" to refer to the Mariners is one form of synecdoche.
►Tautology: [taw-TOL-uh-jee] needless repetition of the same sense in different words; redundancy (crimson red); a compound propositional form all of whose instances are true (it will rain or it won't). From Greek tautologia, from tautologos "repeating what has been said," from tauto "the same" + -logos "saying." Saying that either Mittens will run or he won't is a most primitive tautology.
►Ubiquitous: [yoo-BIK-wi-tuhs] being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time; omnipresent. From Modern Latin ubiquitarius, from ubique "turning up everywhere." Sarah Palin has been ubiquitous lately, much to the delight of joke writers everywhere.
►Untenable: [uhn-TEN-uh-buhl] incapable of being defended, as an argument, thesis, etc.; indefensible; not fit to be occupied, as an apartment or house. From un- "not" + past participle of tenable, from Latin tenere "hold, keep." The state of the Senate, in that nothing is getting accomplished, in untenable.
►Vicarious: [vahy-KAIR-ee-uhs] undergone as if one were taking part in the experience or feelings of another; endured or done by one person substituting for another; acting or serving in place of someone or something else; substituted; committed or entrusted to another, as powers or authority; delegated. From Latin vicarius "substitute, deputy." I like to have vicarious experiences by watching the Travel Channel.
►Zealous: [ZEL-uhs] filled with or motivated by zeal; fervent. From Late Latin zelus "zeal, emulation," a Church word from Greek zelos "zeal, ardor, jealousy," which is of uncertain origin. Many of us were zealous about getting Obama elected.
Those are just a handful of words that can make you sound like a Harvard graduate. These are words that can be fun to use or can make you seem supercilious, depending upon when you use them and with whom.
Good grammar will also help you sound elite. SPOGG, The Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar, makes it their mission to spread the use of good grammar. One way they do this is through National Grammar Day, which occurs every year on March 4.
Now it's your turn. What are your favorite "ten-dollar" words? Share them below so that we can all sound snootier ;)