Specific, strong words

In his column today Denny Herzog contends that we have fewer and fewer great statesmen who can respectfully debate ideas rather than just assail their opponents’ personalities.

As always, readers will either agree or disagree with him. I contend, though, that one aspect of Herzog’s column is hard to debate. He clearly chooses specific, strong words to make his argument. Following are definitions of words in the column that proficient readers should know. The definitions are taken from Webster’s.

Platitude – a commonplace or trite remark, especially one uttered as if it were fresh or original
Simultaneously – occurring, done, existing, etc. at the same time
Staunch – firm, steadfast, loyal
Predecessors – persons who precede or preceded others, as in office (Precede means “go before.”)
Ominous – of or serving as an omen; esp. having the character of an evil omen; threatening; sinister
Indigenous - native
Genre – a kind or type, as of works of literature, art, etc.
Exponentially – increasing in extraordinary proportions
Cabal – a small group of persons joined in a secret, often political, intrigue; junta
Convey – to make known, communicate in words, actions, appearance, etc.
Annihilation – total, decisive destruction, complete conquering, demolition
Forum – an assembly, place, radio program, etc. for the discussion of public matters or current questions
Substantive - essential
Snide – slyly malicious or derisive (It comes from a German word meaning “to cut.”)
Bickering – petty quarreling, squabbling

Finally, it is important to know more about the reference to Alexis de Tocqueville. He was a French political thinker and historian.  “Democracy in America (1835), his major work, published after his travels in the United States, is today considered an early work of sociology and political science," according to Wikipedia.

Armed with this knowledge, you now should be able to read Herzog’s column and decide whether you agree or disagree with him.

Alexis de Tocqueville

photo of oil painting courtesy of Wikipedia

Was Tulo crying?

When I scan a headline, I usually get a quick summary of a story. I couldn’t do that today with Tulo’s Tear.

That is because tear can mean a water drop in one’s eye, or it can mean a rip. (The first sounds like “teer” and the second like “tare.”) So, was Tulo crying with happiness? Looking at the photos, I decided he was happy, but not enough to turn on the waterworks.

That left the meaning of rip, which did not make sense, either. Then I remembered that English has many idioms, expressions that are peculiar to a particular language. Our idioms may not make sense to a Russian, and vice versa.

The idiom “on a tear” means to be on a streak, or a continual movement. It’s pronounced “on a tare.” I decided to read the story on Troy Tulowitzki of the Colorado Rockies to check my theory out.

Sure enough, certain words and phrases backed that theory up: “on pace,” “leading contender,” and finally the actual phrase “on a tear” that appeared toward the end of the article.

So, this was one headline that made me work a little bit, but that’s OK. While I think I’m a proficient reader, I still often must use decoding skills to decipher something in print. The effort is always worthwhile.

With a new grandson, I’d better start polishing up my pitching skills. That effort will be worthwhile, too.

The bios behind the words

A little cove on the southeast coast of Norway is a charming spot to go for some rest and relaxation. It would be excellent for swimming, except for one problem. Strewn throughout the water are huge boulders—boulders that cannot be removed by mandate of the Norwegian government.

During World War II the Nazis invaded Norway by land through neighboring Sweden and by sea. Many Norwegians did everything they could to impede (slow down) the progress of the Nazis. For instance, they pushed boulders into coves and other landing areas so that the Germans would have a more difficult time coming ashore. After the war, the Norwegian government said the boulders must remain as a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of ordinary citizens.

For much of the war, Norway was under the rule of a puppet government headed by Vidkun Quisling. Quisling was a Norwegian who collaborated (worked with) with the Nazis. As noted above, Quisling was executed by firing squad for betraying his country. His name now is a synonym for traitor.

Other men have contributed their names to English, as well. In the late 1700s, John Montague, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, was reputedly too engrossed in his card games to take a break to eat. He ordered his valet to bring him meat in two slabs of bread so that he could remain at his card table. Others started saying that they wanted what he was having. Thus, the sandwich became popular. Were he alive today, the Earl of Sandwich might well be astonished at all the variations of his culinary concoction.

The word “maverick” comes from Samuel Maverick, a Texan rancher who bucked the system in the 1800s by not branding his cattle. Maverick now means someone who refuses to conform, according to Webster’s.

Finally, there’s “bowdlerize,” a word which means to take out passages in a literary work that might be offensive. It comes from Thomas Bowdler, an English editor who published sanitized versions of Shakespeare’s works in the early 1800s. According to http://shakespeare.palomar.edu, he said, “I acknowledge Shakespeare to be the world's greatest dramatic poet, but regret that no parent could place the uncorrected book in the hands of his daughter, and therefore I have prepared the Family Shakespeare.”

Now, of course, daughters (and sons) everywhere read unaltered plays of Shakespeare. Bowdler must be turning over in his grave.

John Montague, 4th Earl of Sandwich

photo of oil painting courtesy of Wikipedia

‘Musik’ to our ears

Music is indeed a universal language; it captivates people of all ages all over the world. Thanks to mass media, people nearly everywhere also easily understand the English word “music.”

It is a cognate, a word that sounds similar, in these languages:

Italian             musica
Spanish         música (with an acute accent over the u)
Portuguese   música (with an acute accent over the u)
French           musique
German         musik
Dutch             muziek

“Eine Kleine Noon Musik” is an allusion (a reference) to The Serenade No. 13 for strings in G major, K. 525. Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1787, this work is also known by the title "Eine kleine Nachtmusik."

According to Wikipedia, “The German title means ‘a little serenade,’ though it is often rendered more literally but less accurately as ‘a little night music.’ The work is written for a chamber ensemble of two violins, viola, and cello with optional double bass, but is often performed by string orchestras.”

To hear the first movement, go to You Tube.

‘Suitcase’ words

Since today is International Literacy Day, I was pleased to see a front-page story on Sarah Palin’s coinage of a new word: refudiate. It’s a blend of refute and repudiate. You may read the story in our print edition or e-edition to get the definitions of both words.

The article goes on to give more examples of blends, such as splatter (splash and spatter). Here are several of my favorites:

smog   - (sm)oke and f(og)
snazzy - (sn)appy and j(azzy)
brunch - (br)eakfast and l(unch)

Lewis Carroll, author of “Jabberwocky,” Adventures of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, gave us these:

slithy    -   (sli)m(y) and li(th)e
chortle -   (ch)uck(le) and sn(ort)
snark   -   (sn)ake and sh(ark)

These words are sometimes called portmanteau words. A portmanteau is a type of suitcase that folds in and has two separate sides to it.

But, what’s in a name? Whether they are termed blends or portmanteau words, they demonstrate how adaptable, and often delightful, the English language really is.