Word Histories 2
Lesson 1.
Here are ten new words to
enhance your word power. When you have finished reading the history of each
word, complete the self-tests.
1. oscillate
(os"* lat') In ancient Rome, the grape
growers hung little images with the face of Bacchus, the god of wine, on their
vines. Since the Latin word for face is "os," a little face would be
called an "oscillum." Because the images swung in the wind, some
students of language concluded that the Latin verb "oscillare" came
from a description of this motion. Most scholars have declined to make this
connection, saying only that our present word "oscillate," to
swing to and fro, is derived from Latin "oscillare," to swing, which in turn comes from
"oscillum," a swing.
2. nabob (na"bob) The Mogul emperors, who ruled India from the sixteenth until
the middle of the nineteenth century, delegated authority to men who acted as
governors of various parts of India. To the native Indians, such a ruler was
known as a "nawwab," deputy. The word was changed by the
Europeans into "nabob." The nabobs were supposed to tithe money to
the central government, but some of the nabobs withheld the money, and thereby
became enormously wealthy. From their fortunes came the European custom of
using the word "nabob" to refer to a
person, especially a
European, who had attained great wealth in India or another country of the East.
The usage spread to England, and today we use the term to describe any very wealthy or powerful
person.
3. pander (pan"d*r) "Pander," to act
as a go-between in amorous intrigues or to act as a pimp or procurer or
to cater basely, comes from the medieval story of Troilus and Cressida.
In his retelling, Chaucer describes how the love-stricken Troilus calls upon
his friend Pandarus, kin to Cressida, to aid him in his quest for her love.
Much of Chaucer's tale is devoted to the different means used by Pandarus to
help Troilus win his love. Shakespeare later recycled the same legend. As the
story gained in popularity the name "Pandarus" was changed in English
to
"pandare" and
then to "pander." The noun now has the negative connotation of pimp or procurer for illicit
sexual intercourse.
4. pedagogue (ped"* gog', -gôg') Wealthy Greek families kept a special slave to supervise their
sons. The slave's responsibilities included accompanying the boys as they
traveled to and from school and walked in the public streets. To describe a
slave's chores, the Greeks coined the term "paidagogos," a leader
of boys. Occasionally, when the slave was an educated man captured in
warfare and sold into slavery, the slave also tutored his charges. From the
Greek word we derived the English word "pedagogue," teacher or educator.
5. quack (kwak) Noticing
how the raucous shouts of the charlatans selling useless concoctions sounded
like the strident quacks of ducks, the sixteenth-century Dutch called these
charlatans "quacksalvers"—literally, ducks quacking over their
salves. The term quickly spread through Europe. The English shortened it to
"quack," and used it to describe any fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skills,
the meaning we retain today.
6. nepotism (nep"* tiz'*m) This word for patronage bestowed or favoritism
shown on the basis of family relationships, as in business or
politics, can be traced to the popes of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
To increase their power, these men surrounded themselves with people they knew
would be loyal—members of their own family. Among the most popular candidates
were the
popes' own illegitimate
sons, called "nephews," from the Latin "nepos," a descendant,
as a mark of respect. Eventually the term "nepotism" came to mean
favoritism to all family members, not just nephews.
7. pompadour (pom"p* dôr', -d»r') Sheltered by a wealthy family
and educated as though she were their own daughter, at twenty the exquisite
Jeanne Antoinette Poisson Le Normant d'étioles married her protector's nephew
and began her reign over the world of Parisian fashion. Soon after, King Louis
XV took her as his mistress, established her at the court of Versailles, and
gave her the estate of Pompadour. The Marquise de Pompadour created a large and high-swept hairstyle
memorialized by her name. Though it has been somewhat modified, the style is still known by her name.
8. nostrum (nos"tr*m) The word "nostrum," a patent or quack medicine,
became very current around the time of the Great Plague in the
mid-seventeenth century. Doctors were helpless to combat the disease, so
charlatans and quacks scurried to fill the gap, flooding the market with their
own "secret"—and useless— concoctions. To make their medicines seem
more effective, they labeled them with the Latin word "nostrum." The
term came to be used as a general word for any quack medicine. Ironically,
"nostrum" means our own, as in "nostrum remedium," our
own remedy; thus it makes no claims at all for the remedy's effectiveness.
9. narcissism (när"s* siz'*m) The
word "narcissism," inordinate fascination with oneself, comes from the Greek
myth of Narcissus. According to one version of the legend, an exceptionally
handsome young man fell in love with his own image reflected in a pool. Because
he was unable to embrace his image, he died from unrequited love. According to
another version, Narcissus fell in love with his identical twin sister. After
her death, he sat and stared at his own reflection in the pool until he died
from grief.
10. nepenthe (ni
pen"the)
According to Greek legend, when Paris kidnapped Helen and took her to Troy, he
wanted her to forget her previous life. In Homer's version of the tale, Paris
gave Helen a drug thought to cause loss of memory. The drug was called
"nepenthes." The word has come down to us with its meaning intact: anything inducing a pleasurable
sensation of forgetfulness.
True/False
In the space provided,
write T if the definition of the numbered word is true or F if it is false.
T or F
1. nepenthe remembrance _____
2. nepotism impartiality _____
3. pander procurer _____
4. pompadour crewcut _____
5. oscillate swing _____
6. pedagogue teacher _____
7. narcissism self-love _____
8. nabob pauper _____
9. nostrum patent medicine _____
10. quack expert _____
Defining Words
Define each of the
following words.
1.
pompadour ____________________________________________________
2.
nepenthe _____________________________________________________
3.
oscillate ______________________________________________________
4.
nostrum _______________________________________________________
5. quack
________________________________________________________
6. nabob
________________________________________________________
7. pander
________________________________________________________
8.
nepotism ______________________________________________________
9.
pedagogue ____________________________________________________
10.
narcissism ____________________________________________________
Lesson 2.
Each of these ten words
beginning with the letter "p" has a particularly captivating tale
behind it.
Read the stories, then
complete the two tests at the end of the lesson.
11. palaver
(p* lav"*r, -lä"v*r) The word "palaver"
derives ultimately from the Greek word "parabola," comparison, literally
a placing beside. From this came English "parable," a story
that makes comparisons. In Latin the word came to mean speech, talk,
word. Later, Portuguese traders carried the term to Africa in the form
"palavra" and used it to refer to the long talks with native chiefs
required by local custom. English traders picked up the word in the eighteenth century,
spelling it as we do today. The word retains its last meaning, a long parley, especially one
with people indigenous to a region or profuse, idle talk.
12. pannier (pan"y*r, -e *r) The word "pannier" was first used in
thirteenth-century France to mean bread basket; it is related to the
French word "pain," bread. Soon it was also used to refer to a
fish basket, and then a basket for toting any provisions. In later centuries,
the term was applied to the baskets balanced on a donkey's back. Today we use
the term to denote a
basket, especially a large one carried on a person's back.
13. pariah (p* ri"*) The
term "pariah," an
outcast, comes from the name of one of the lowest castes in India.
Composed of agricultural laborers and household servants, it is not the lowest caste,
but its members are still considered untouchable by the Brahmans. The British
used the term "pariah" for anyone of low social standing. The term
"pariah" now is used for any outcast among his or her own people.
14. pecuniary (pi
ky»"ne er'e) The Romans measured a man's worth by the number of animals he
kept on his farm. They adapted the Latin word for a farm animal,
"pecu," to refer to individual wealth. But as people acquired new
ways of measuring wealth, such as money and land, the Roman word evolved into
"pecunia," which referred most specifically to money. From this came the
adjective "pecuniary," pertaining to or consisting of money.
15. phantasmagoria (fan
taz'm* gôr"e *) In the
early years of the nineteenth century, an inventor named Philipstal created a
wondrous device for producing optical illusions. By projecting colored slides
onto a thin silk screen, Philipstal made his spectral images appear to move.
Today, of course, we take such motion-picture illusions for granted, but in the
age of the magic lantern, such visions were marvelous indeed. Philipstal named
his invention "phantasmagoria," which we now apply to a shifting series of phantasms
or deceptive appearances, as in a dream.
16. poplin (pop"lin) The origin of this word has nothing to do with its appearance
or use. In the early fourteenth century, the papal seat was located in Avignon,
France. Even after the papacy was moved to Rome, Avignon remained important for
its production of a sturdy dress and upholstery fabric. The fabric came to be
identified with the city in which it was made. Since Avignon remained a papal
town until the late eighteenth century, the fabric came to be called "papelino,"
or papal. The English pronounced the word "poplin," giving us
the present-day name
for this finely corded fabric of cotton,
rayon, silk, or wool.
17. precipitate (pri
sip"i tat') The word "precipitate" is based on the Latin root
"caput," meaning head. In fact, the word was first used to
apply to those who had been executed or killed themselves by being hurled or
jumping headlong from a "precipice" or high place. Later, the word came
to mean to rush headlong. From this has come today's meaning, to hasten the occurrence of; to
bring about prematurely.
18. precocious (pri
ko"sh*s) To the
Romans, Latin "praecox," the source of English "precocious,"
was a culinary term meaning precooked. In time, however, its meaning was
extended to acting prematurely. It is this later meaning of
"precocious" that we use today, unusually advanced in development, especially mental
development.
19. pretext (pre"tekst) "Pretext" comes from the Latin word
"praetexta," meaning an ornament, such as the purple markings
on a toga denoting rank. In addition to its literal sense, however, the word
carried the connotation of something to cloak one's true identity. We have
retained only the word's figurative meaning, something that is put forward to conceal a true purpose
or object; an ostensible reason.
20. procrustean (pro krus"te *n) According to one version of the Greek myth, Procrustes was a bandit
who made his living waylaying unsuspecting travelers. He tied everyone who fell
into his grasp to an iron bed. If they were longer than the bed, he cut short
their legs to make their bodies fit; if they were shorter, he stretched their
bodies until they fit tightly. Hence, "procrustean" means tending to produce conformity
through violent or arbitrary means.
Test 1:
True/False
In the space provided,
write T if the definition of the numbered word is true or F if it is false.
T or F
1. procrustean marine life _____
2. pecuniary picayune _____
3. precipitate play _____
4. pretext falsification _____
5. pariah outcast _____
6. poplin religious vestment _____
7. palaver serving tray _____
8. precocious advanced _____
9. pannier basket _____
10. phantasmagoria illusions _____
Matching Synonyms
Match each of the
following numbered words with its closest synonym from the list of lettered words
in the second column. Write your answer in the space provided.
1. poplin a. excuse _____
2. palaver b. producing conformity by
violent means _____
3. pecuniary c. fabric _____
4. phantasmagoria d. fantasy _____
5. pretext e. expedite _____
6. precocious f. idle chatter _____
7. precipitate g. advanced _____
8. pariah h. outcast _____
9. procrustean i. basket _____
10. pannier j. monetary _____
Lesson 3.
Read through the interesting
stories behind these ten words. Then work through the two self-tests to see how many of the words you can use
correctly.
21. proletariat (pro'li târ"e *t)
"Proletariat" derives from the Latin "proletarius," a
Roman freeman who lacked property and money. The word came from
"proles," offspring, children. Although the freemen had the
vote, many wealthy Romans despised them, saying they were useful only to have
children. They called them "proletarii," producers of children. Karl
Marx picked up the word in the mid-nineteenth century as a label for the
lower-class working people of his age. "Proletariat" retains the same
meaning today: members
of the working class, especially
those who do not possess capital and
must sell their labor to
survive.
22. Arcadian (är ka"de *n) The residents of
landlocked Arcadia, in ancient Greece, did not venture to other lands. As a
result, they maintained traditional ways and lived what others imagined to be a
simpler life. Ancient classical poets made "Arcadia" a symbol for a
land of pastoral happiness. In the sixteenth century, English poet Sir Philip
Sidney referred to a bucolic land he called "Arcadia." The word has
retained this meaning, and today we consider residents of an
"Arcadian" place to be rustic, simple, and innocent.
23. rake (rak) "Rake," meaning a dissolute person, especially a man, was originally
"rakehell." In the sixteenth century, this colorful term was
used to describe a person so dissipated that he would "rake hell" to
find his pleasures. "Rakehell" is now considered a somewhat archaic
term to describe such roués; "rake" is the common word.
24. pygmy (pig"me) The ancient Greeks were
entranced by stories of a tribe of dwarfs in the upper Nile who were so small
that they could be swallowed by cranes. To describe these tiny people, the
Greeks used the word "pygmaios," which also referred to the distance
on a person's arm from the elbow to the knuckles. The word became English
"pygmy," a
tiny person or thing; a
person or thing of small importance.
25. sardonic (sär
don"ik) The ancient Greeks described a plant on
the island of Sardinia whose flesh, if eaten, caused the victim's face to
become grotesquely convulsed, as if in scornful laughter. The Greek name for
Sardinia was "Sardos"; therefore, "sardonios" came to refer
to any mocking laughter. The English word eventually became
"sardonic," characterized
by bitter irony or scornful derision.
26. tartar (tär"t*r) The fierce Genghis Khan and
his successors led an army of bloodthirsty warriors, including the Ta-ta
Mongols, in a series of conquests throughout Asia and into Europe. Their name,
"Tartar" or "Tatar," became closely associated with brutal
massacres. Today the word "tartar" refers to a savage, ill-tempered, or
intractable person.
27. argosy (är"g* se) In the
Middle Ages, cities on the Mediterranean coast maintained large fleets to ship
goods around the known world. Ragusa was a Sicilian city well known for its
large ships, called "ragusea." In English, the initial two letters became
switched, creating "argusea." From there it was a short step to
"argosy," a
large merchant ship, especially one with a rich cargo. Because of
Ragusa's wealth, the word "argosy" also came to mean an opulent supply or collection.
28. Balkanize (bôl"k* niz') After centuries of war, in 1912 the Balkan nations united to
conquer the Turks and divide the spoils among themselves. The following year,
however, the Balkan nations quarreled over how to divide their booty and began
to fight among themselves. From this experience comes the verb
"Balkanize," to
divide a country or territory into small, quarrelsome, ineffectual states.
29. cravat (kr* vat") In the late seventeenth
century, the French king Louis XIV formed a special division of Croats, a
Slavic people, to serve in his army. The Croats wore colorful, much-admired neckties
to distinguish themselves from the other regiments. Fashionable civilians took
to wearing these neckties, calling them "cravats" after a variant spelling
of "Croat." The term is still used to mean necktie, although
it is somewhat out of fashion. It also refers to a scarf worn by
men.
30. hegira (hi ji"r*, hej"*r *) Around the year 600, the
prophet Muhammad began to preach the new faith of Islam. To escape persecution,
he was forced to flee his home in Mecca. Eventually, his followers increased,
and by his death in 632, he controlled Arabia. Within a century, the empire of
Islam had spread throughout western Asia and northern Africa. The turning point,
Muhammad's flight from Mecca, came to be called the "Hegira," after
the Arabic word for flight or emigration. The "Hegira"
is the starting point on the Muslim calendar, and we now apply
the word to any flight or journey to a
desirable or congenial place.
True/False
In the space provided,
write T if the definition of the numbered word is true or F if it is false.
T or F
1. rake roué _____
2. proletariat wealthy persons _____
3. hegira flight _____
4. cravat craving _____
5. tartar disciple _____
6. arcadian rustic _____
7. sardonic derisive _____
8. pygmy monkey _____
9. argosy rich supply _____
10. balkanize vulcanize _____
Matching Synonyms
Select the best definition
for each numbered word. Write your answer in the space provided.
1. rake a. bucolic _____
2. pygmy b. merchant ship _____
3. cravat c. midget _____
4. arcadian d. break up into
antagonistic units _____
5. argosy e. the working class
_____
6. hegira f. scornful; mocking
_____
7. balkanize g. necktie _____
8. proletariat h. bad-tempered person
_____
9. sardonic i. journey or flight
_____
10. tartar j. roué _____
Lesson 4.
Now look at the
backgrounds of these ten words. Then complete the two self-tests to help you add
them to your vocabulary.
31. ballyhoo
(bal"e h»') The word "ballyhoo" is of uncertain origin. Some, however,
have connected it with the Irish town of Ballyhooy, known for the rowdy and
often uncontrolled quarrels of its inhabitants. Today "ballyhoo" is
an Americanism with a specific meaning: a clamorous attempt to win customers
or advance a cause; blatant
advertising or publicity.
32. tawdry (tô"dre) In the seventh century, an
Englishwoman named Etheldreda fled her husband to establish an abbey. When the
Venerable Bede recounted her story in the early eighth century, he claimed that
her death had been caused by a tumor in her throat, which she believed was a
punishment for her early vanity of wearing jewelry about her neck. Her abbey
eventually became the Cathedral of Ely; her name, Audrey. In her honor, the
cathedral town held an annual fair where "trifling objects" were
hawked. One theory as to the development of the word "tawdry"
relates to the hawkers'
cry, "Saint Audrey's lace!" This became "Sin t'Audrey lace"
and then "tawdry lace." By association with these cheap trinkets, the
word "tawdry" has come to mean gaudy, showy, or cheap.
33. python (pi"thon) According to Greek myth, the sacred oracle at Delphi was at
one time threatened by a terrible serpent called "Python." It was
finally killed by Apollo. About 150 years ago, a large constrictor snake often measuring more than
twenty feet long was
named after this mythical monster.
34. recalcitrant (ri
kal"si tr*nt) The
word was formed from the Latin prefix "re-," back, and "calcitrare,"
to kick. Thus, a recalcitrant person is one who kicks back, resisting authority or control.
35. copperhead (kop"*r hed') The term "copperhead"
was coined by the New York Tribune in the early days of the Civil War to
refer to a Northerner
who sympathized with the South. The term came from the sneaky and
poisonous copperhead snake, which strikes without warning.
36. silhouette (sil'» et") At the urging of his
mistress, Madame de Pompadour, the French king Louis XV appointed étienne de
Silhouette as his finance minister. His mission was to enact strict economy
measures to rescue the government from near-bankruptcy. At the same time, there
was a revival of the practice of tracing profiles created by shadows. Since
they replaced more costly paintings, these outlines came to be derided as
"à la Silhouette"—another of his money-saving measures. Although
Silhouette lasted in office less than a year, he achieved a sort of immortality
when his name became permanently associated with a two-dimensional representation of the outline of
an object, as a person's profile, generally filled in with black.
37. remora (rem"*r *) Since this odd fish impeded the
progress of Roman ships by attaching itself to the vessels with its sucking
disks, the Romans named it a "remora," that which holds back;
hindrance. Today we use the term only to name the fish, though formerly it
was also a synonym for obstacle,
hindrance.
38. caprice (k* pres")
"Caprice," a
sudden, unpredictable change of mind, a whim, doesn't remind us of hedgehogs,
yet these animals probably played a role in this word's past.
"Caprice" comes ultimately from the Italian word
"'capriccio," which originally meant fright, horror. The word is
thought to be a compound of "capo," head, and
"riccio," hedgehog, because when people are very frightened,
their hair stands on end, like a hedgehog's spines.
39. treacle (tre"k*l) Originally,
"treacle" was an ointment used by the ancient Romans and Greeks
against the bite of wild animals. But in the eighteenth and nineteenth
centuries, competing quack medicine hawkers added sweetening to make their
bitter potions more palatable. After a while, the sweetening agent itself,
usually molasses, came to be called "treacle." We retain this meaning
and have extended it to refer figuratively to contrived or unrestrained sentimentality as
well.
40. billingsgate (bil"ingz gat') In the
1500s, "Belin's gate," a walled town within London, was primarily a fish
market. The name was soon distorted to "billingsgate," and since many
fishwives and seamen were known for their salty tongues, the word
"billingsgate" came to mean coarse or vulgar abusive language.
True/False
In the space provided,
write T if the definition of the numbered word is true or F if it is false.
T or F
1. recalcitrant easygoing _____
2. caprice capable _____
3. remora renovate _____
4. copperhead fierce warrior _____
5. ballyhoo dance _____
6. tawdry gaudy _____
7. billingsgate profane language _____
8. python snake _____
9. treacle sugar _____
10. silhouette outline _____
Matching Synonyms
Match each of the
following numbered words with its closest synonym. Write your answer in the space
provided.
1. python a. whim _____
2. ballyhoo b. cheap _____
3. treacle c. verbal abuse _____
4. tawdry d. snake _____
5. copperhead e. outline _____
6. recalcitrant f. clamor _____
7. silhouette g. balky _____
8. caprice h. mawkish sentimentality _____
9. remora i. fish _____
10. billingsgate j. Southern sympathizer
_____
Lesson 5.
The stories behind these
ten words provide intriguing reading and can give your vocabulary true power.
After you study the words, complete the two self-tests to see how many of the
words you can use correctly.
41. apartheid
(* pärt"hat, -hit) "Apartheid," the term for a policy of racial segregation and discrimination
against nonwhites, entered English from Afrikaans, the language
of South Africa's Dutch settlers, the Boers. They created the word from the
Dutch word for "apart" and the suffix "- heid," related to
our suffix "-hood." Thus, the word literally means apartness or separateness.
It was first used in 1947, in a South African newspaper.
42. quixotic (kwik
sot"ik) The word "quixotic," meaning extravagantly chivalrous or
romantic, is based on the character of Don Quixote, the chivalrous
knight in Cervantes' 1605 masterpiece Don Quixote de la Mancha. The
impractical, visionary knight was ludicrously blind to the false nature of his
dreams.
43. bromide (bro"mid) "Bromides" are
chemicals, several of which can be used as sedatives. In 1906, the American
humorist Gelett Burgess first used the word to mean a boring person, one who is likely to
serve the same purpose as a sedative. The term was then extended to mean a platitude,
the kind of remark one could expect from a tiresome person.
44. profane (pr* fan", pro-) Only fully initiated men were allowed to participate in Greek and
Roman religious rites; those not admitted were called "profane," from
"pro," outside, and "fanum," temple. When the
word came into English, it was applied to persons or things not part of Christianity.
Probably in reference to the contempt of nonbelievers, "profane" now
means characterized by
irreverence for God or sacred things.
45. rialto (re al"to) In the late sixteenth century, the Venetians erected a bridge
across the Grand Canal. Since the bridge spanned deep waters, it was called the
"Rialto," deep stream. The bridge led to the creation of a
busy shopping area in the center of the city. From this shopping center we derive
our present meaning of "rialto," an exchange or mart.
46. thespian (thes"pe *n) A Greek poet named
Thespis, who flourished circa 534 B.C., enlarged the traditional celebrations
at the festival of Dionysus by writing verses to be chanted alternately by
individuals and the chorus. This opportunity to be a solo performer was a
first. From the poet's name we derive the word "thespian," an
actor or actress.
47. salver (sal"v*r) "Salver" came into
English from Spanish "salva," a kind of tray. The Spanish word
derived from Latin "salvare," to save, from the practice of
having a servant taste one's food or drink to check for poison. Because
poisoning was the method of choice for eliminating wealthy enemies in the
Middle Ages, the practice of retaining a taster was commonplace among the affluent.
The master's food was presented upon a separate tray, so the term
"salva" came to apply to the tray as well as the tasting. Once the
habit of poisoning people subsided, the English term "salver" came to
mean a tray, especially one used for serving food.
48. chagrin (sh* grin") The word
"chagrin," meaning a feeling of vexation due to disappointment, does
not derive from "shagreen," a piece of hard, abrasive leather used
to polish metal, even though both words are spelled identically in French.
French scholars connect "chagrin," vexation, grief, with an
Old French verb, "chagreiner," to turn melancholy or gloomy, which evolved in part from a
Germanic word related to English "grim."
49. shibboleth (shib"* lith, -leth') In the twelfth chapter of
Judges, Jephthah and his men were victorious over the warriors of Ephraim.
After the battle, Jephthah gave his guards the password "shibboleth"
to distinguish friends from foes; he picked the word because the Ephraimites
could not pronounce the "sh" sound. His choice was shrewd, and many
of his enemies were captured and killed. Thus, "shibboleth" has come
to mean a peculiarity of pronunciation, usage, or behavior that
distinguishes a particular class or set of persons. It also can mean slogan;
catchword.
50. vie (vi) The word "vie," to strive in competition or rivalry
with another, to contend for superiority, was originally a shortened
version of "envien," a sixteenth-century gaming term meaning to
raise the stake. The contraction, "vie," came to mean to
contend, compete.
True/False
In the space provided,
write T if the definition of the numbered word is true or F if it is false.
T or F
1. chagrin chafe _____
2. vie accede
_____
3. profane irreverent _____
4. salver tray _____
5. quixotic ill-tempered _____
6. rialto marketplace
_____
7. apartheid foreigner _____
8. shibboleth platitude _____
9. thespian actor _____
10. bromide explosive _____
Definitions
Select the best definition
for each numbered word. Circle your answer.
_____ 1. bromide
a. cliché
b. effervescence
c. angst
_____ 2. vie
a. treat
b. contend
c. despise
_____ 3. quixotic
a. alien
b. romantic
c. fictional
_____ 4. salver
a. salivate
b. poison
c. tray
_____ 5. shibboleth
a. peculiarity
b. forbidden
c. murdered
_____ 6. profane
a. pious
b. irreverent
c. exploding
_____ 7. thespian
a. actress
b. speech impairment
c. playwright
_____ 8. apartheid
a. discrimination
b. unity
c. hopelessness
_____ 9. rialto
a. shipyard
b. reality
c. exchange
_____ 10. chagrin
a. stiff
b. vexation
c. smirk
Lesson 6.
Knowing the histories of
the following ten words can help you remember their meanings and use them in
your speech and writing. Study the words, then work through the two tests that
follow.
51. Promethean
(pr* me"the *n) According to Greek myth, as punishment for stealing fire from the
gods and giving it to mortal humans, Prometheus was bound to the side of a
mountain, where he was attacked daily by a fierce bird that feasted upon his
liver. At night his wounds healed; the next day he was attacked anew. Because
of his extraordinary boldness in stealing the divine fire, the word
"Promethean" has come to mean creative, boldly original.
52. sarcophagus (sär
kof"* g*s)
Although the majority of ancient Greeks favored burial or cremation, some
obtained limestone coffins that could dissolve a body in little over a month. The
coffin was called a "sarcophagus," from the Greek "sarx," flesh,
and "phagos," eating. Today we use the term to refer to a stone coffin, especially one
bearing sculpture, an inscription, etc., often displayed as a monument.
53. quorum (kwôr"*m) The word "quorum" was first used as part of a Latin
phrase meaning to select people for official court business. Ultimately,
it came to mean the
number of members of a group or organization required to be present to transact
business; legally, usually a majority.
54. antimacassar (an'ti m* kas"*r) In the
1800s, macassar oil was imported from Indonesia to England as a popular remedy
for baldness. Based on its reputation, men began to apply it liberally to their
pates, but the oil stained the backs of sofas and chairs where they rested
their oily heads. Therefore, homemakers began to place pieces of fabric over sofa and chair
backs, since these scraps could be washed more easily than stained upholstery.
These fabric pieces came to be called "antimacassars"—against
macassar oil. They survive today in the little doilies fastidious homemakers drape over
furniture.
55. lackey (lak"e) After their invasion of Spain in 711, the Moors conquered nearly
the entire country and established a glittering civilization. But it was not to
last. By 1100, Christians had already wrested half of Spain from the Moors. Two
hundred years later, the Moors retained only a small toehold; and a hundred
years after that, they were driven out of Europe entirely. As the Moors
suffered repeated defeats, their captured soldiers became servants to their
Spanish conquerors. They were called "alacayo." The initial
"a" was later dropped, and the word was rendered in English as "lackey," a servile
follower.
56. obelisk (ob"* lisk') The word comes from the ancient
Egyptian practice of erecting tall, thin pillars to pay homage to the sun god
Ra. The Greeks called these shafts "obeliskoi." The word has come
down to us as "obelisk," with its meaning intact, a tapering four-sided shaft of
stone with a pyramidal apex; a monument.
57. paladin (pal"* din) The original paladins were Charlemagne's twelve knights.
According to legend, the famous paladin Roland was caught in an ambush and
fought valiantly with his small band of followers to the last man. Because of
his actions, "paladin" has come down to us as any champion of noble causes.
58. hobnob (hob"nob') Those who "hobnob"
with their buddies associate
on very friendly terms or drink together. The word comes from the
Anglo-Saxon "haebbe" and "naebbe," to have and to
have not. In the 1700s, "hobnob" meant to toast friends and
host alternate rounds of drinks. Each person thus had the pleasure of
treating, creating a sense of familiarity. Today this usage survives, even if
those hobnobbing are teetotalers.
59. helot (hel"*t, he"l*t) Around the eighth century B.C., the Spartans conquered and
enslaved the people of the southern half of the Peloponnesus. They called these
slaves "helots," perhaps from the Greek word meaning to enslave. Today
"helot" still means serf or slave; bondsman.
60. kowtow (kou"tou") The Chinese people, who
were largely isolated from the West until Portuguese traders established a post
outside Canton, regarded their emperor as a representation of God on earth.
Those approaching the emperor had to fall to the ground and strike their heads
against the floor as a sign of humility. This was called a "kowtow,"
from the Chinese word that meant knock-head. As a verb, the English word
follows the original meaning, to touch the forehead to the ground while
kneeling, as an act of worship; but from this meaning we have derived a
figurative use as well: to act in an obsequious manner; show servile deference.
Defining Words
Define each of the
following words.
1.
obelisk ______________________________________________________
2.
Promethean ______________________________________________________
3. helot
________________________________________________________
4.
sarcophagus ______________________________________________________
5. kowtow
___________________________________________________________
6. lackey
___________________________________________________________
7.
antimacassar ______________________________________________________
8. hobnob
________________________________________________________
9. quorum
________________________________________________________
10.
paladin _______________________________________________________
True/False
In the space provided,
write T if the definition of the numbered word is true or F if it is false.
T or F
1. lackey servant _____
2. quorum majority _____
3. obelisk shaft _____
4. hobnob twisted logic
_____
5. promethean creative _____
6. sarcophagus cremation _____
7. helot hell-on-wheels
_____
8. antimacassar against travel _____
9. kowtow bow low _____
10. paladin villain _____
Lesson 7.
The quirky stories behind
the following ten words can help you understand and remember them better. Read
through the histories and complete the two self-tests to add to your mastery of
language.
61. quahog
(kwô"hôg, -hog) Despite the
"hog" at the end of the word, a "quahog" has nothing to do
with a pig. Rather, it is a clam; the word comes from the Algonquian
(Narragansett) word "poquauhock."
62. protean (pro"te *n) According to Greek
legend, Proteus was a sea god who possessed the power to change his shape at
will. He also had the ability to foretell the future, but those wishing to
avail themselves of his power first had to steal upon him at noon when he
checked his herds of sea calves, catch him, and bind him securely. Thus bound,
Proteus would change shape furiously, but the petitioner who could keep him
restrained until he returned to his original shape would receive the answer to
his question—if he still remembered what he wanted to know. From
Proteus, then, we get the
word "protean," readily
assuming different forms or characters; variable.
63. noisome (noi"s*m) Although the words appear to
have the same root, "noisome" bears no relation to "noise."
"Noisome" means offensive or disgusting, as an odor,
and comes from the Middle English word "noy," meaning harm. The
root is related, however, to the word "annoy," to molest or bother.
64. Ouija (we"j*) "Ouija" is a
trademark for a board
game used to spell out messages in spiritualistic communication. It
consists of a small board, or planchette, resting on a larger board marked with
words and letters. The name comes from the French and German words for yes, "oui"
and "ja."
65. simony (si"m* ne, sim"*-) Simon the sorcerer offered to pay the Apostle Peter to teach
him the wondrous cures he had seen him perform, not understanding that his
feats were miracles rather than magic tricks. From Simon's name comes the term
"simony," the
sin of buying or selling ecclesiastical preferments.
66. rigmarole (rig"m* rol') In fourteenth-century England, a register of names was called a "rageman."
Later it became a "ragman," then "ragman roll." As it
changed, the term evolved to refer to a series of unconnected statements. By
the 1700s, the word had become "rigmarole," with its present meaning,
an elaborate or
complicated procedure.
67. bolshevik (bol"sh* vik) At a rally of Communist leaders in 1903, Lenin garnered a
majority of the votes. He cleverly dubbed his supporters
"Bolsheviks," meaning the majority. His move was effective
propaganda. Even though his supporters actually comprised only a minority, the
name stuck and came to be associated with a member of the Russian Communist
party. The word is also used in a derogatory sense to denote an extreme political radical, a
revolutionary.
68. misericord (miz'*r i kôrd", mi zer"i kôrd') Both the small projection on
the underside of a hinged seat of a church stall that gives support, when the
seat is lifted, to a person standing in the stall and a medieval dagger have
the same name, "misericord." In a curious sense, this is because they
both provide mercy, the seat giving a parishioner a resting place during a long
service, the dagger delivering the coup de grâce to a wounded foe.
"Misericord" comes from the Latin "misericordia," meaning compassion.
69. surplice (sûr"plis) To keep themselves warm in damp, chilly stone churches,
clergymen in the Middle Ages wore fur robes. But since fur was not considered
proper attire for religious men, the priests covered their furs with
loose-fitting white overgarments. The word "surplice" to describe these
broad-sleeved white vestments came from their function: the Latin "super," over, and
"pellicia," fur garment.
70. sylph (silf) A
German alchemist of the 1700s coined the term "Sylphis" to describe
the spirits of the air. He envisioned them as looking like humans but able to
move more swiftly and gracefully. Over the years, the word evolved to mean a
slender, graceful girl or woman.
True/False
In the space provided,
write T if the definition of the numbered word is true or F if it is false.
T or F
1. misericord wretchedness _____
2. ouija board
game _____
3. simony slickness
_____
4. bolshevik sheik _____
5. protean changeable _____
6. noisome clamorous _____
7. sylph svelte
female _____
8. quahog bivalve
_____
9. rigmarole simplification _____
10. surplice clerical vestment _____
Matching Synonyms
Match each of the numbered
words with its closest synonym from the list of lettered words in the second
column. Write your answer in the space provided.
1. sylph a. vestment _____
2. quahog b. medieval dagger
_____
3. surplice c. ecclesiastical
favors _____
4. bolshevik d. slender girl _____
5. ouija e. Communist _____
6. misericord f. involved process _____
7. noisome g. variable _____
8. protean h. clam _____
9. rigmarole i. foul _____
10. simony j. board game _____
Lesson 8.
Now read the histories of
these ten unique words. Fix them in your memory by completing the two self-tests
that follow. The words can make your speech and writing more colorful,
interesting, and effective.
71. muumuu
(m»"m»') This loose
dress, often brightly colored or patterned, was first introduced into
Hawaii by missionaries anxious to clothe their nude Hawaiian female converts.
To accomplish their aims, the missionaries gave the Hawaiian women dresses cut
in the European fashion, which the Hawaiians adapted to suit their needs and
climate. The dress acquired the Hawaiian name "muumuu," which means cut
off, because it lacked a yoke and therefore looked "cut off" at
the neck.
72. sybarite (sib"* rit') The
ancient Greek colony of Sybaris in southern Italy was known for its luxurious
life style. The residents were so famous for their opulent ways that the word
"sybarite" came to be used for any person devoted to luxury and pleasure.
73. rostrum (ros"tr*m) Today a "rostrum" is
any platform, stage, or
the like for public speaking. The word comes from the victory in 338
B.C. of the Romans over the pirates of Antium (Anzio), off the Italian coast.
The victorious consul took back to Rome the prows of the six ships he had captured.
These were attached to the lecterns used by Roman speakers. They came to be
called "rostra," or beaks. We use the singular, "rostrum."
74. lemur (le"m*r) An animal with a small
foxlike face, woolly fur, and cute monkeylike body, the "lemur"
seems to some people to be an adorable creature. The scientist who first named
this small nocturnal mammal, the eighteenth-century Swedish botanist Linnaeus,
obviously had a less pleasant reaction to the animal, since the Latin word
"lemur" denotes malevolent,
frightening spirits of the dead.
75. spoonerism (sp»"n* riz'*m) The
English clergyman W. A. Spooner (1844–1930) was notorious for his habit of
transposing the initial letters or other sounds of words, as in "a
blushing crow" for "a crushing blow." Since the good reverend
was not unique in his affliction, we use the word "spoonerism" to
describe these unintentional
transpositions of sounds.
76. vermicelli (vûr'mi chel"e) Anyone faced with a
small child determined not to eat his or her spaghetti because "it looks
like worms" had better avoid explaining the origin of
"vermicelli." In Italian, "vermicelli" is the plural of
"vermicello," a diminutive of "verme," which does indeed
mean worm. When dealing with recalcitrant children, it's probably better
to refer to these long,
slender threads of spaghetti simply as "pasta."
77. pundit (pun"dit) Today we use the word "pundit" to mean an expert
or authority; but in the nineteenth century, the word was usually applied
to a learned person in India. It comes from the Hindi word "pandit,"
meaning learned man, a Brahman with profound
knowledge of Sanskrit, Hindu law, and so forth.
78. yahoo (yä"h») This word for a coarse, uncouth person
was coined by Jonathan Swift in his 1726 novel Gulliver's Travels. In
Swift's satire, the Yahoos were a race of humanoid brutes ruled by the
Houyhnhnms, civilized horses.
79. stoic (sto"ik) The Stoics were philosophers of ancient Greece who believed in
self-restraint. Their name comes from Greek stoa, "porch,"
where they habitually walked. Hence the word "stoic," which describes
a person who is impassive,
calm, and austere.
80. wormwood (wûrm"w»d')
"Wormwood" is the active narcotic ingredient of absinthe, a bitter green
liqueur now banned in most Western countries. Originally, however, the herb was
used as a folk remedy for worms in the body. Because of the herb's bitter
qualities, we also use it figuratively to mean something bitter, grievous, or extremely unpleasant.
True/False
In the space provided,
write T if the definition of the numbered word is true or F if it is false.
T or F
1. spoonerism Midwesterner _____
2. yahoo oaf _____
3. wormwood bitterness _____
4. muumuu murmur _____
5. pundit bad kick _____
6. lemur monkeylike nocturnal
mammal _____
7. sybarite slender _____
8. stoic austere _____
9. vermicelli aggravation _____
10. rostrum register _____
Matching Synonyms
Select the best definition
for each numbered word. Write your answer in the space provided.
1. rostrum a. loose dress _____
2. yahoo b. something bitter
_____
3. muumuu c. small nocturnal mammal
_____
4. spoonerism d. long, thin threadlike
pasta _____
5. wormwood e. impassive _____
6. sybarite f. stage or platform
_____
7. lemur g. authority _____
8. pundit h. lover of luxury
_____
9. vermicelli i. transposition of sounds
in words _____
10. stoic j. boor _____
Lesson 9.
Here are ten more words
with intriguing pasts. Read through the histories, then complete the selftests that
follow. Spend a few minutes using each of the words in a sentence to help you
make them part of your everyday speech and writing.
81. termagant (tûr"m* g*nt) The
word "termagant," meaning a violent, turbulent, or brawling woman, comes
from a mythical deity that many Europeans of the Middle Ages believed was worshiped
by the Muslims. It often appeared in morality plays as a violent, overbearing personage
in long robes. In modern usage, "termagant" is applied only to women.
82. blarney (blär"ne) According to Irish legend,
anyone who kisses a magical stone set twenty feet beneath the ground of a
castle near the village of Blarney, in Ireland, will henceforth possess the
gift of eloquence. One story claims the Blarney stone got its powers from the
eloquence of the seventeenth-century Irish patriot Cormac McCarthy, whose soft
speech won favorable terms from Elizabeth I after an Irish uprising. From this
stone-kissing custom, "blarney" has come to mean flattering or wheedling talk;
cajolery.
83. schooner (sk»"n*r) According to legend, Captain
Andrew Robinson built the first "schooner," a sailing vessel with a foremast
and a mainmast. As it cut smoothly into the water on its maiden voyage,
someone presumably was heard to exclaim, "Oh, how she scoons!"
Picking up on the praise, Robinson decided to call his previously unnamed ship
a "scooner." The "h" was added later. Scholars, however,
doubt the veracity of this story and regard the word's source as uncertain.
84. eunuch (y»"n*k) A "eunuch" is a castrated man, especially
formerly, one employed by Oriental rulers as a harem attendant. The word is
based on the Greek "eunouchos," from "eune," bed, and
"echein," to keep, since a eunuch is perfectly suited for
guarding a woman's bed. The word is used figuratively to refer to a weak,
powerless person.
85. reefer (re"f*r) The word "reefer"
has several different meanings; but in the nineteenth century, the word was
used to refer to sailors. The term came from a description of their duties, the
taking in of the reefs. Heavy woolen coats hindered the seamen in the execution
of their duties, so they wore close-fitting coats instead. These coats took
their name from the sailors who wore them, and today we often refer to any short coat or jacket of
thick cloth as
a "reefer."
86. shrew (shr») In Old English, the word "shrew" described a small,
fierce rodent. The word was later applied to a person with a violent temper and tenacious personality
similar to the
rodent's. Although "shrew" has retained this meaning, it is
usually applied only to a woman.
87. kudos (k»"doz, ky»"-) Although "kudos" has come down to us from the Greek
intact in both form and meaning—praise, glory—in the process it has come to be regarded as a
plural word, although it is singular. As a result, another new word has been
formed, "kudo." Although purists still prefer "kudos is" to
"kudos are," only time will tell if the transformation to kudo/kudos becomes
permanent.
88. bohemian (bo he"me *n) In the early fifteenth century, a band of vagabond peasants
took up residence in Paris. Knowing that they had come from somewhere in
central Europe, the French dubbed the gypsies "Bohemians," in the
belief that they were natives of Bohemia. Working from the stereotyped view of
gypsies as free spirits, the French then applied the term "bohemian"
to a person, typically
one with artistic or intellectual aspirations, who lives an unconventional
life.
89. rhubarb (r»"bärb) In conventional usage, the word refers to a long-stalked
plant, used in tart conserves and pie fillings; it is also a slang term for
quarrel or squabble. The ancient Greeks gave the plant its name. Since
it grew in an area outside of Greece, they called it "rha barbaron."
"Rha" was the name of the plant and "barbaron" meant foreign.
90. lacuna (l* ky»"n*) "Lacuna," a gap or missing part; hiatus, comes
from the identical Latin
word, "lacuna,"
meaning a hollow. It first entered English to refer to a missing part in
a manuscript. It is also the root of "lagoon."
Test 1:
True/False
In the space provided,
write T if the definition of the numbered word is true or F if it is false.
T or F
1. kudos compliment _____
2. blarney cajolery _____
3. shrew cleverness _____
4. reefer woolen coat _____
5. lacuna hiatus _____
6. termagant intermediate _____
7. bohemian businesslike _____
8. schooner sailing vessel _____
9. rhubarb sweet _____
10. eunuch castrated man _____
Answers
to Word Histories II Lesson 9 Test 1:
Test 2:
Definitions
Select the best definition
for each numbered word. Write your answer in the space provided.
_____ 1. kudos
a. enclave
b. martial arts
c. acclaim
d. humiliation
_____ 2. eunuch
a. hero
b. warrior
c. castle
d. castrated man
_____ 3. bohemian
a. free spirit
b. butcher
c. foreigner
d. master chef
_____ 4. shrew
a. virago
b. sly
c. bibliophile
d. hearty
_____ 5. lacuna
a. hot tub
b. gap
c. lake
d. cool water
_____ 6. termagant
a. lease
b. eternal
c. possessive
d. brawling woman
_____ 7. schooner
a. release
b. submarine
c. possessive
d. sailboat
_____ 8. rhubarb
a. root
b. ridicule
c. squabble
d. arrow
_____ 9. blarney
a. mountain climbing
b. sweet talk
c. sightseeing
d. luncheon meats
_____ 10. reefer
a. coat
b. renegade
c. exotic fish
d. regret
Answers
to Word Histories II Lesson 9 Test 2:
Lesson 10.
Recalling the history of
these ten words can help you remember their meanings and make them part of your
stock of words. Go through the following word histories and complete the
self-tests that follow. Then review the histories to help you remember the
words.
91. solecism (sol"* siz'*m, so"l*-) To the ancient Greeks, the
people of the colony of Soloi spoke inexcusably poor Greek. The Greeks were
perhaps most offended by the Solois' errors in grammar and usage. They called
such barbarous speech "soloikismos," the language of Soloi. Through
Latin, the word became "solecism," a substandard or ungrammatical
usage; a breech of good
manners or etiquette.
92. requiem (rek"we *m) A "requiem"
is a mass celebrated for the repose of the souls of the dead. It comes from the
opening line of the Roman Catholic mass for the dead, "Requiem aeternam
dona eis, Domine," meaning Give them eternal rest, Lord.
93. tariff (tar"if) "Tariff," an official schedule of duties or customs imposed by a government
on imports and exports, comes from the Arabic term for inventory,
"ta"rif." Perhaps because this story is so unexciting, a
false etymology claims that the word instead comes from the name of a Moorish
town near the straits of Gibraltar formerly used as a base for daring pirate
raids. Colorful, but not true.
94. blitzkrieg (blits"kreg') The
German word "Blitzkrieg," literally a lightning war, describes the overwhelming
Nazi attacks on Poland in 1940. In two weeks, Germany pounded Poland into submission;
in six weeks, it crushed the French army. Although ultimately the Germans met defeat,
their method of attack has found a place in our language, and
"blitzkrieg" has come to denote an overwhelming, all-out attack.
95. entrepreneur (än'tr* pr* nûr", -n»r", -ny»r") "Entrepreneur"
came from the French word derived from the verb "entreprendre," to
undertake. It was initially used in English to denote a musician's manager,
the person responsible for such things as organizing concerts; in the nineteenth
century, the word assumed its present meaning: a person who organizes, manages, and assumes
responsibility for a business or other enterprise.
96. spinnaker (spin"* k*r) According to one story, in the
mid-nineteenth century, a yachtsman devised a new racing sail. The name of the
yacht was the "Sphinx," but the sailors had difficulty pronouncing
the word. Their mispronunciation gave us the word "spinnaker," a large, triangular sail carried
by yachts as a headsail when running before the wind.
97. reynard (ra"närd, -n*rd, ren"*rd) This poetic
name given to the fox comes from the medieval beast epic, stories first circulated
orally throughout western Europe, then written down. Aside from countless hours
of entertainment, these satirical tales have also provided us with words for other
animals: "bruin" for bear and "chanticleer" for rooster.
98. kibitzer (kib"it s*r) A "kibitzer" is a spectator, especially at a
card game, who gives unwanted advice to a player; a meddler. This
word came from Yiddish, which derived it from the German verb
"kiebitzen," to be a busybody; give unwanted advice to card
players. The verb, in turn, came from "Kiebitz," the German word
for a lapwing, an inquisitive little bird given to shrill cries.
99. lampoon (lam p»n") "Lampoon," a
sharp, often virulent satire, comes from the French word "lampon,"
which is thought to come from "lampons," let's drink, a common
ending to seventeenth-century French satirical drinking songs. We also use the
word as a verb meaning to
mock or ridicule.
100. scapegoat (skap"got') The term "scapegoat,"
a person made to bear the blame for others or to suffer in their place, comes
from the sixteenth chapter of Leviticus, which describes how the high priest
Aaron was directed to select two goats. One goat was to be a burnt offering to
the Lord; the other, an "escape goat" for atonement, was presented
alive to the Lord and sent away into the wilderness to carry away the sins of
the people. The word "scape" was a shortening of "escape."
True/False
In the space provided,
write T if the definition of the numbered word is true or F if it is false.
T or F
1. kibitzer busybody _____
2. reynard goat _____
3. blitzkrieg negotiations _____
4. solecism bad grammar _____
5. tariff customs duties
_____
6. spinnaker craftsperson _____
7. requiem revival _____
8. lampoon enlighten _____
9. scapegoat substitute victim _____
10. entrepreneur organizer and manager _____
Matching Synonyms
Match each of the
following numbered words with its closest synonym. Write your answer in the space
provided.
1. tariff a. sail _____
2. lampoon b. mock _____
3. kibitzer c. funeral mass _____
4. scapegoat d. fox _____
5. reynard e. customs duties _____
6. requiem f. business manager
_____
7. solecism g. busybody _____
8. blitzkrieg h. grammatical error _____
9. spinnaker i. victim _____
10. entrepreneur j. all-out attack _____
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