A.Word.A.Day --bloviate

A.Word.A.Day

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Jan 27, 2014

This week's theme
Americanisms

This week's words
bloviate
skulduggery
honeyfuggle
lallygag
bumfuzzle

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A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

This week we'll feature five Americanisms. Some of these are words from the American West. For most, the origin remains obscure. Many of these are pseudo-Latin words, fanciful formations that may sound highfalutin today. Use these words to bring a certain earthy flavor to your discourse. But like spices in a preparation, a little goes a long way. Use them judiciously.

bloviate

PRONUNCIATION:

(BLO-vee-ayt)

MEANING:

verb intr.: To speak pompously.

ETYMOLOGY:

Pseudo-Latin alteration of blow (to boast). Earliest documented use: 1845.

USAGE:

"All you cinephiles who like to find grand statements and social criticism in horror movies, prepare to bloviate. It's midnight at the Tribeca Film Festival."
Neil Genzlinger; Scare Me, Sure, But Also Make A Statement; The New York Times; Apr 18, 2013.

See more usage examples of bloviate in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

A fellow of mediocre talent will remain a mediocrity, whether he travels or not; but one of superior talent (which without impiety I cannot deny that I possess) will go to seed if he always remains in the same place. -Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, composer and musician (1756-1791)

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