Those Who Know, Chuckle.
Dust ’em off and sprinkle liberally!
– Definition: n. A government established by seizure, utilizing force or deceit, with rule maintained by strength.
– Used in a sentence: One side effect of social-media-as-lie-amplifiers is that they can more easily enable a kratocracy.
– Why: Please, God* and fellow citizens: Let it not be so.
– Definition: v. to entice or induce by guile or flattery
– Used in a sentence: Demagogues often use exceptionalism to inveigle their would-be followers.
– Why: It is something so pervasive that critical-thinking skills should be taught beginning in kindergarten.
– Definition: adj. portmanteau of “fabulous” and “fantastic”
– Used in a sentence: You have fabtastic style, my dear.
– Why: I generally dislike modern portmanteaus, but this one leaped onto the screen when I tried to type “fantastic” and hit the “b” key instead of the “n”. My contribution to the English-speaking world’s lexicon.
– Definition: adj. almost or nearly as described, but not completely or according to strict definition.
– Used in a sentence: Though no Popeye, I am a virtual strongman when it comes to eating spinach.
– Why: Let’s retake the words that have become redefined in our modern now-a-go-go world; instead of using “virtual” to indicate a computer/online-based experience, how about instead saying “digital?” “Computer-based?” Or that ol’ ’90s standby, “cyber?”
– Definition: n. an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture.
– Used in a sentence: Charles MacKay’s Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds is perhaps the Western World’s first serious catalog of memes.
– Why: I am a semiotic and purist dinosaur who thinks the term’s au courant application shortchanges its original meaning. Memes are the heavy-hitters of enculturation. Let’s not confuse them for “captioned graphics,” shall we?
– Definition: v. 1. hit or beat (someone) repeatedly 2. defeat thoroughly in a match or contest
– Used in a sentence: Isn’t it nice when the Bad Guys finally get a well-deserved drubbing?
– Why: Because “B.T.S.O.O. him” is too vulgar.
– Definition: adj. Having or displaying a passionate intensity.
– Used in a sentence: “Our” cat was a fervent consumer of rats and squirrels.
– Why: There are good and bad manifestations of this quality. On the one hand is our hyperpolarized political landscape; on the other hand are fen of all stripes. One is harmful, the other harmless. You decide.
– Definition: adj. (of a person) excessively or ingratiatingly flattering; oily.
– Used in a sentence: The current president* (at this writing, anyway: 3/26/20) enjoys and prefers the company of unctuous sycophants.
– Why: It’s nice to have words to match your observations, isn’t it?
– Definition: adj. Having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure
– Used in a sentence: The president’s* speeches are somewhat cryptic to those who don’t share his gestalt, and altogether not for those who do.
– Why: What with the instant-knowledge advent of Google and Wikipedia, the cryptic quality is in danger of disappearing. Don’t let that sense of enigmatic mystery die.
– Definition: adj.; geological Of or pertaining to lakes.
– Used in a sentence: I prefer deep-water sailing to the lacustrine variety.
– Why: For one thing, it feels good in the mouth. However, I must admit to some self-service with this WtBB, as I am writing a series of stories some of which occur in an island-city surrounded by a lake, and I’m always on the lookout for ways to concisify. And “lacustrine Pormaris” sounds much better than “Pormaris, an island-city surrounded by a lake.” (To me, anyway.)
– Definition: adj. Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
– Used in a sentence: Pernicious “tweets” should not become a presidential* standard.
– Why: It’s enough out of current usage to possibly sound like a compliment. Imagine the look on their faces when they discover it isn’t.
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