Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Power Vocabulary

Because language not only describes reality but helps form our reality, knowing more words gives you more architectural power to build your life. Here are some cool words to refresh your memory, not in alphabetical order:

1. zoomorphic: of or pertaining to a deity or other being conceived of as having the form of an animal.

Miranda fears the store will not allow her brother to enter because he's so zoomorphic and most stores don't allow pets inside.

2. eponymous: giving one's name to a tribe, place, etc.

Martha Stewart, head of the eponymous domestic beauty empire, once worked as a stock trader.

3. risorgimento: a time of renewal or renaissance.

Mixonian hopes to inspire a risorgimento in vocabulary appreciation.

4. chawbacon: bumpkin, hick.

The Manhattanite visitor found all the town's people to be total chawbacons.

5. banausic: utilitarian, practical.

The banausic housewife had no use for the aromatherapeutic candle, much to her daughter's dismay.

6. quintessence: the essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form or the most typical example.

Sweetened tea is the quintessence of Southern beverages.

7. neologism: a new word usage or expression.

People often think babies are babbling when actually they are introducing neologisms to their unsuspecting parents.

8. snarky: testy or irritable; short.

The teacher warned her students that challenging her grades on their papers would bring out her lurking snarkiness.

9. fantasmagoria: a constantly shifting complex succession of things seen or imagined, a bizarre or fantastic combination.

Dipping good bread in salted olive oil is a fantasmagorical treat.

10. nefarious: flagrantly wicked or impious, evil.

The children often accused their poor mother of having nefarious motives when she asked them to help her.

Go forth and impress someone with some wicked words.