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Oct 13, 2024
This week’s themeEponymic adjectives This week’s words Damoclean Penelopean melpomenish Alician Atlantean How popular are they? Relative usage over time AWADmail archives Index Next week’s theme Usage examples that are food for thought Send a gift that keeps on giving, all year long: A gift subscription of A.Word.A.Day or the gift of books AWADmail Issue 1163A Compendium of Feedback on the Words in A.Word.A.Day and Other Tidbits about Words and LanguageSponsor’s Message: “Way better than Wordle.” One Up! is the wickedest word game in the real world. “It’s mental!” A fabulous travel gift. Shop now. From: Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) Subject: Interesting stories from the Net Germans Decry Influence of English as “Idiot’s Apostrophe” Gets Official Approval The Guardian Permalink Panemunė: The Scenic Road That Saved Europe’s Banned Language BBC Permalink From: Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org) Subject: Eponymic adjectives This week I asked the readers: Which fictional character would you like to turn into an adjective? Some submitted suggestions based on real people. Please save those for another eponym week. Here’s a selection from the fictional-character responses:
I would like to propose Picardian. It describes a style of leadership
where the leader gathers the best minds available for their input. All
opinions are listened to regardless of the speaker’s area of expertise.
From the style adopted by Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the starship USS
Enterprise in the series Star Trek: The Next Generation.
-John Martin-Brown, Mount Gambier, Australia (jmbcoaching gmail.com) Trumpian, of course -- as everything he purports to be, or says about himself, is total fiction/fabrication/falsehood. Doesn’t that make him a fictional character? -Barb Carmichael, East Lansing, Michigan (carmichbj71 gmail.com) Jamisonian: After Matt Jamison, the preacher from the HBO show The Leftovers. Describing a person or event in which the subject commits acts of loyalty and piety that are less selfless than they are self-serving, to appear “better than” to people and to God. Usage: Her jamisonian dedication to her children fooled no one, as Karen endlessly bragged to other mothers that she was willing to sacrifice her own career for the betterment of her children. Notes: Matt Jamison spent four years caring for his vegetative wife, Mary, only to have her wake up and leave him. When he meets God (a man named David Burton), Matt is confronted by his own hypocrisy of serving others as a way to please God. -Kelly Smith, Houston, Texas (akellysmith icloud.com) Eponine from Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables. The adjective form would mean tragic as was her short life. If my idea is not accepted, this will be a truly eponinic eponym. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) I would propose Inigoian after Inigo Montoya from the film The Princess Bride. Its meaning would be “repetitive to an extreme degree”. “Hello! My name is Inigo Montoya! You killed my father; prepare to die!” (video, 2 min.) -Don Fearn, Duluth, Minnesota (pooder charter.net) Kafka’s Josef K from The Trial should be an eponymous adjective. Seeing as how we often are left flailing helplessly in the face of bizarre bureaucratic behavior, I think it would get a lot of use. “I had a K morning dealing with the phone company. Their system ran me in a long loop of pressing numeric keys that ended where it began without accomplishing anything. Then they put me in an hour-long queue to speak to a human, and when the wait was down to five minutes they hung up on me because it was five o’clock.” -Paul Baerman, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (pwbaerman gmail.com) Little Nellian: Describing someone who takes forever to die. After Little Nell in The Old Curiosity Shop whose death was inevitable but who takes 654 pages to join the angels. Example: The heirs sitting in the next room complained that Aunt Fanny is being her usual Little Nellian self. -Ron Blumer, New York, New York (blumer panix.com) Frodosian, from The Lord of the Rings, to describe someone who sacrifices comfort and tranquility to take up a daunting task for the greater good. I think there are many Frodos among us who go unrecognized. -Ryan Lennon, Rochester, Minnesota (lennon.ryan.j gmail.com) I offer Garfieldian after the fictional comic strip character Garfield as an adjective meaning “shallow-thinking”. Example: “Over the past decades, the United States has evolved into a Garfieldian society.” I think a significant factor as to why the current race for the presidency is so close is the erosion of critical thinking within the population. A combination of advertising and entertainment has deliberately undermined people’s ability to think in order to make them more efficient consumers. At the same time, our educational system, news media, and cultural values have shifted in order to compete for our attention rather than attempt to counterbalance this change by pushing the public to think more carefully. The artwork and gags were intentionally simple and non-controversial and the strip’s repetitive themes aligned with such consumer values as a disdain for Mondays and dieting and a preference for coffee, lasagna, laziness, and obsessive eating. (Ref.) (It is important to note that the fact that Garfield is fat and orange is purely a coincidence.) -Ken Kirste, Sunnyvale, California (kkkirste sbcglobal.net) Charles Dickens provides a font of potential adjectives derived from his characters. Here is one from Great Expectations. Mistress Havisham, who was jilted at the altar and wears her wedding dress every day for the rest of her life. Havishamian: describing a person who waits for something to happen, even though it is clear that it will never happen. Example: Despite the fact that she polishes off a pint of ice cream and a bag of Oreos every evening, in her usual havishamian manner Maude continues to order clothes in the same petite size as she wore 20 years ago. -Muffie Meyer, New York, New York (meyer middlemarch.com) Cyranoian: Having a long nose and a kind heart. -Louis Phillips, New York, New York (louisprofphillips gmail.com) From: Robert Berend (tactile8888 yahoo.com) Subject: Damoclean I have two memories from television making reference to the sword of Damocles. One was in a Sherlock Holmes movie with Basil Rathbone where I first heard this expression. The other is in a “Three Stooges” episode where there is a pie fight and there’s a pie stuck to the ceiling over the head of Moe. A woman comes up to him and says, “Young man, you act as though you have the sword of Damocles hanging over your head.” He says, “Lady, you must be psychic.” She looks up and the pie falls on her face. (video, 2 min.) Robert Berend, Beverly Hills, California From: Lorraine Scholfield (lorraine.scholfield gmail.com) Subject: Re: A.Word.A.Day--Damoclean When you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, you sadly have many Damoclean moments. I speak from experience of the stress that overtakes your life. Lorraine Scholfield, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
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From: Kent Rhodes (krho1 aol.com) Subject: Damoclean Today I see democracy in the seat of Damocles and Trump as the feast giver Trump. In a turnabout of the myth, it is not too much flattery that is the problem but too little. If Trump is not lavished with enough praise, (i.e. votes), the sword will fall and democracy dies. That is at least in the mind, a twisted one, of Trump. However, ironically, if too many votes go for Trump the sword also falls. Let’s hope that democracy has Atlantean strength. Kent Rhodes, Charlotte, North Carolina From: Juliane McAdam (juliane.mcadam gmail.com) Subject: Penelopean My middle school English students loved this poem about Penelope by Dorothy Parker. Juliane McAdam, Los Osos, California From: Ele Richardson (nielandeleanor gmail.com) Subject: Penelopean For us weavers, a Penelope experience is when we spend a huge amount of time unweaving, when we have made mistakes that have to be dealt with. Ele Richardson, Bedford, Ohio From: Alex McCrae (ajmccrae277 gmail.com) Subject: Damoclean and Alician There’s a widespread fear that if Trump wins the 2024 election that he’ll destroy democracy as we know it. It’s no secret that he aspires to be a dictator, a strongman on the world stage. If he were to win, he’d put yes-men and close relatives in positions of power, gut the Departments of Justice and Education, while giving full pardons to Jan 6 insurrectionists. “True patriots”, as he refers to these treasonous thugs. Why beat around the bush, when we can go straight to the source, namely Lewis Caroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland? Here, Kamala Harris assumes the role of Alice, who stumbles upon trickster Trump in the guise of the Cheshire Cat. Trump, as the sly feline, as is his wont, tries to engage her in soph-moronic, defamatory word-games. But Kamala doesn’t take the bait and sets him straight. Alex McCrae, Van Nuys, California Anagrams
Make your own anagrams and animations. Limericks Damoclean Damoclean above a man’s head Hung a sword by a most slender thread. He, asking no question, With severe indigestion Left the banquet before he got fed. -Sara Hutchinson, New Castle, Delaware (sarahutch2003 yahoo.com) With dread Damoclean I’ve read Reports that show Trump is ahead. If indeed that’s the case, What a fate do we face! Please vote for Ms Harris instead! -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) I cannot relax, though I’m King And presumably have everything Including the sword Damoclean -- oh Lord, How the threat of that makes my head ring! -Bindy Bitterman, Chicago, Illinois (bindy eurekaevanston.com) Whenever he stepped in the room, He was such a purveyor of doom. She said, “Stop your bein’ So damn Damoclean. I’ll not wed a man full of gloom.” -Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) Cassandra, a princess of Troy, Saw the future and she shouted: “Oy! Damoclean-sized dangers! There are many Greek strangers At our gates with a horse that’s no toy.” -Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail. com) “Oh dear, have you seen our poor kitten?” I’ve looked everywhere, now I’m quittin’. From Helene we are fleein’ Flooding so Damoclean That rooftops are now where we’re sittin’. -Steve Cabito, Santa Rosa, California (stevecabito gmail.com) “I adore the new guy that I’m seein’,” Said Donald; “a cute North Korean! We fit like a glove, And because of our love, From his nukes there’s no threat Damoclean.” -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) Penelopean The rights that we women had won The current Supreme Court’s undone. It’s Penelopean! (Perhaps Sisyphean?) So candidate Trump I will shun. -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) Instead of creating, I find A repetitive phase; where my mind Should invent, it is bein’ So penelopean And only keeps saying: rewind! -Bindy Bitterman, Chicago, Illinois (bindy eurekaevanston.com) Yes, penelopean I am When dealng with our Uncle Sam. “Your refund,” he’ll say, “Is now on its way. Just be patient like some little lamb.” -Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com) Said Fido, “That cat I keep treein’, But the task is so Penelopean. For up there it won’t stay When I run off to play With my dearly beloved human bein’.” -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) melpomenish As a lover of opera, I’ve found That melpomenish stories abound. Lucrezia’s one Whose life is no fun; Still she sings after poison she’s downed. -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) Melpomene, the Tragedy Muse, Was always reporting bad news. When she died, her embalmin’ wish Was call woes melpomenish. “I hope that my name you will use.” -Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) To Bermuda I went on a cruise And returned with some very good news. I must tell you, my dear, My melpomenish fear Of icebergs was caused by some booze. -Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com) This election year may be melpomenish; Its result could the whole world impoverish. A distinct orange tint Suggests more than a hint That one candidate’s rather iguana-ish. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) Alician As his speeches have grown more Alician, Some question Trump’s mental condition. He disparages sharks In his rambling remarks At long rallies with no intermission. -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) My aunt Alice’s loony ambition Was to hang on her wall her own Titian. And here’s what she did. At an auction she bid Twenty bucks. She was truly Alician. -Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com) Daydreaming... I’ve lost all ambition. I think I’ll take off and go fishin’. This nice weather should hold Despite rumors, I’m told, They control it? That’s just so Alician! -Steve Cabito, Santa Rosa, California (stevecabito gmail.com) To be our VP JD’s wishin’, But he’s sounding bizarrely Alician. He says “Haitians eat pets!” And cat ladies upsets; It’s some weird kind of chronic condition. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) Atlantean There once was a fellow named Ian, Whose handshake I found Atlantean. Though I know he meant well, His grip hurt me like hell -- So strong was that big Tennessean. -Marion Wolf, Bergenfield, New Jersey (marionewolf yahoo.com) I’ve heard of a young man named Ian, Who lived in the hot Caribbean. He was so strong and fit, There’s no doubt about it. Thought gals, “His physique’s Atlantean”. -Joan Perrin, Port Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) I regret I can’t be me more specific. Atlantean he seemed and horrific. But between you and me -- Schwarzenegger, you see, Is a pussycat, mostly pacific. -Rudy Landesman, New York, New York (ydur36 hotmail.com) When I first saw my baby boy peein’, I was proud: what a stream Atlantean! While out of his diaper, He shot like a sniper. Great things in his future I’m seein’! -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) Puns Matt Damon visited Shark Tank with a new miracle cleaner he called Damoclean. -Joan Perrin, Port Jefferson Station, New York (perrinjoan aol.com) “I’ll keep this rectory shinin’ like new, Father Brown. I’m the grande damoclean-in’!” said Mrs. McCarthy in her job interview. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) “A big wedding would be a huge distraction while trying to finish your next James Bond novel. Once you’ve put down your penelopean,” advised Fleming’s publisher. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) “What’s that stuff in your hair, Arthur? You s-melpomenish,” said Fonzie’s mother. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) “Donald doesn’t make me say crazy stupid things. I do it of my own v-alician,” insisted JD Vance. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) Whenever I’m in Barcelona I make sure to have some of their delicious C-atlantean pastries. -Steve Benko, New York, New York (stevebenko1 gmail.com) From: Alex McCrae (ajmccrae277 gmail.com) Subject: Damoclean and Alician Who’d have thunk it? Trump has received a Purple Heart. Obviously, not earned on the battlefield, but given to him by Louis Dorfman, a Vietnam vet. Trump initially questioned whether it was a copy, but Dorfman assured him that it was the real thing. (Turns out, it was a copy.) Is this what Trump means when he calls military service-members ”suckers” and “losers”, handing over their medal(s) to someone who openly disdains them? Alex McCrae, Van Nuys, California A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
They’ll tell you you’re too loud, that you need to wait your turn and ask
the right people for permission. Do it anyway. -Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez,
US Congress member (b. Oct 13, 1989)
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