A.Word.A.Day --troglodyte

A.Word.A.Day

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Aug 2, 2010

This week's theme
Words for insults

This week's words
troglodyte
puerile
odoriferous
jejune
vainglorious

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A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

Mark Twain once said, "When angry, count to four; when very angry, swear." While swearing is considered uncouth and vulgar, it has its place and purpose. It helps provide an emotional release and clears the system. Isn't a verbal venting of emotions better than a physical manifestation?

You don't have to rely on those worn-out four-letter terms to inflict rude remarks on the offending party. With a careful selection of words, it's possible to elevate insults to an art form. Why not use this week's select words for one of those times when nothing less will do?

But remember, everything in moderation.

troglodyte

PRONUNCIATION:

(TROG-luh-dyt)

MEANING:

noun:
1. Someone who is brutish, reactionary, or primitive.
2. A cave dweller.
3. An animal that lives underground.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin troglodytae (cave dwellers), from Greek troglodytai, from trogle (hole) + dyein (to enter).

USAGE:

"The recruitment officer was a mean-looking troglodyte who squatted behind his desk licking his lips and cracking his knuckles."
Ben Trovato; It's a Sad Day When Not Even the Army Wants You; The Times (Johannesburg, South Africa); Jan 17, 2010.

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

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

A man should live with his superiors as he does with his fire: not too near, lest he burn; nor too far off, lest he freeze. -Diogenes, philosopher (412?-323 BCE)

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