It's Mr. Big Word!
It's Mr. Big Word!!
Com-punc-tious (kuhm-puhngk-shuhs)
–adjective
1. arising from remorse or regret
2. feeling remorse or regret
Vice President Biden's comments about
Mr. Big Word
Glossary Of Terms
Ad·a·man·tine (ad-uh-man-teen)
–adjective
1. utterly unyielding or firm in attitude or opinion.
2. like a diamond in luster.
Until today, we thought the chairman of the NFL had an adamantine policy on players acting up or breaking laws.
(07/19/07)
Agelast
(08/14/08)
An·o·dyne (an-uh-dahyn)
–noun
1. a medicine that relieves or allays pain
2. anything that relieves distress or pain
When it comes to the most recent presidential debate, Fred says Wolf Blitzer gave an anodyne performance.
(11/16/07)
A-poth-e-o-sis (uh-poth-ee-oh-sis)
–noun
1. the elevation or exaltation of a person to the rank of a god.
2. the ideal example; epitome; quintessence
Fred Grandy believes that the late Ricardo Montalban is the apotheosis of the “Latin gentleman.”
(01/15/09)
An·te·di·lu·vi·an (an-tee-di-loo-vee-uh n)
–adjective
1. of or belonging to the period before the Flood.
2. very old, old-fashioned, or out of date; antiquated; primitive.
(07/26/07)
At-a-vis-tic (at-uh-vis-tik)
–adjective
1. Of, pertaining to, or characterized by atavism; reverting to or suggesting the characteristics of a remote ancestor or primitive type.
2. The return of a trait or recurrence of previous behavior after a period of absence.
President Obama’s statement that the country will go broke if we don’t spend a trillion dollars on health care reform is dumb, desperate and atavistic.
(12/17/09)
Bor-bo-ryg-mus (bawr-buh-rig-muh s)
–noun
A rumbling or gurgling sound caused by the movement of gas in the intestines.
The Republican Party is looking at this election and having a collective borborygmus.
(10/27/08)
Brobdignagian Brob-ding-nag-i-an
adjective
Colossal; of extraordinary height; gigantic.
(05/19/08)
Chi·me·ra (ki-meer-uh)
–noun
1. a mythological, fire-breathing monster, commonly represented with a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail.
2. a horrible or unreal creature of the imagination; a vain or idle fancy:
Most Democrats probably regarded Karl Rove as the Republican Party’s greatest chimera.
(08/15/07)
cock·a·lo·rum (kah-ka-lor-um)
-noun
- A little man with an unduly high opinion of himself.
- Boastful talk; braggadocio.
Though he did not win the Democratic Primary in
(06/10/09)
Com-punc-tious (kuhm-puhngk-shuhs)
–adjective
1. arising from remorse or regret
2. feeling remorse or regret
Vice President Biden's comments about
(02/12/10)
Con·com·i·tant (kon-kom-i-tuh nt)
–adjective
Existing or occurring with something else, often in a lesser way; accompanying; concurrent
In
(10/03/07)
Con·tu·ma·cious (kon-too-mey-shuh s)
–adjective
Stubbornly perverse or rebellious; willfully and obstinately disobedient.
(06/13/07)
(ooops, and 12/04/08!)
Cor·us·cate (kawr-uh-skeyt)
–verb
To emit vivid flashes of light; sparkle; scintillate; gleam.
(03/04/08)
Cre·pus·cu·lar (kri-puhs-kyuh-ler)
–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or resembling twilight; dim; indistinct.
2. Zoology. appearing or active in the twilight, as certain bats and insects.
Fred’s favorite president, George W. Bush, is currently in the crepuscular phase of his career.
(04/04/08)
Di·ri·gisme di-ri-ZHI-zm
-noun
Economic planning and control by the state; also, state control of social matters
(08/04/09)
–noun
A part or organ of the body, as the skin or a kidney, that functions in carrying off waste products
Is the bailout bill, in many ways, emunctory? And is the Senate the emunctory of the legislative body?
(10/02/08)
E·ti·o·late (ee-tee-uh-leyt)
-verb,
1. to cause (a plant) to whiten or grow pale by excluding light.
2. to cause to become weakened or sickly; drain of color or vigor.
Based on comments by Representative Eric Cantor, Fred wonders if the Republican Party is etiolated.
(11/18/08)
Fis-sip-a-rous (fi-sip-er-uhs)
–adjective
1. Reproducing by biological fission.
2. Tending to break up into parts or break away from a main body; divisive.
President Obama is very apprehensive of the fissiparous consequences of that may result in pointing fingers within the administration on intelligence failures.
(01/06/10)
Ge-phy-ro-pho-bi-a (juh-fi-roh-foh-bee-uh)
-noun
A fear of crossing bridges.
For those who suffer from severe gephyrophobia,
(08/10/07)
Göt·ter·däm·mer·ung (got-er-dam-uh-roo
-noun
1. the destruction of the gods and of all things in a final battle with evil powers
2. the final opera of Richard Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelung.
This is probably the greatest economic götterdämmerung that this country has seen in 40 or 50 years.
(11/11/08)
Gus·ta·tion (guh-stey-shuh n)
–noun
The act of tasting.
Does eating 66 hotdogs in 12 minutes improve or impede your power of gustation?
(07/05/07)
Ha-gi-og-ra-phy (hag-ee-og-ruh-fee)
-noun
1 : biography of saints or venerated persons
2 : idealizing or idolizing biography
The eulogy by Al Sharpton and the House Resolution proposed by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee are more hagiography than history for Michael Jackson.
(07/08/09)
Hip-Hopocrite (hip-hop-oh-kryt)
–noun
In·cho·ate (in-koh-it)
–adjective
1. not yet completed or fully developed; rudimentary.
2. not organized; lacking order.
Based on the recent news that the majority of Americans, regardless of party, are against illegal immigrants getting drivers licenses, the Democrats views on immigration appear to be somewhat inchoate.
In-ter-pel-late (in-ter-pel-yet)
–verb (used with object)
1. Question formally about policy or government business.
2. To question imperatively, as a minister, or other executive officer, in explanation of his conduct; -- generally on the part of a legislative body.
House Judiciary Committee should call Justice Department prosecutors up to the hill and interpellate them on why they dropped the ball on Ted Stevens.
(04/08/09)
Je-june [ji-joon]
–adjective
1. without interest or significance; dull; insipid: a jejune novel.
2. juvenile; immature; childish: jejune behavior.
3. lacking knowledge or experience; uninformed: jejune attempts to design a house.
4. deficient or lacking in nutritive value: a jejune diet.
The content at the Climate Summit will probably be jejune.
(12/07/09)
Lex Ta-li-o-nis (leks tal-ee-oh-nis)
–noun
The principle or law of retaliation that a punishment inflicted should correspond in degree and kind to the offense of the wrongdoer, as an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth; retributive justice.
(10/21/09)
Man·u·mis·sion (man-yuh-mish-uh n)
–noun
To free from slavery or bondage; emancipate.
We discussed at great length today the surprising manumission of celebrity heiress Paris Hilton.
(06/08/07)
Mo-nop-so-ny (muh-NOP-suh-nee)
–noun
The market condition that exists when there is one buyer.
Fred says the Democrats, President Obama and even the Blue Dog coalition want a monopsony on health care.
(08/18/09)
Moun-te-bank
(moun-tuh-bangk)
–noun
- a person who sells quack medicines, as from a platform in public places, attracting and influencing an audience by tricks, storytelling, etc.
- any charlatan or quack.
(03/04/09)
Ne-an-dy-thal (nee-an-dee-thal)
–noun
Someone who believes that everything
If Lou Dobbs really believes we can round up 12 million illegal immigrants and deport them all back to wherever, he’s officially a neandythal.
(05/07)
Nu·ga·to·ry (noo-guh-tawr-ee)
–adjective
1. of no real value; trifling; worthless.
2. of no force or effect; ineffective; futile; vain.
3. not valid.
The efforts by Republicans in the last weekend before the election may prove to be nugatory.
(11/03/08)
Ob-lo-quy (ob-luh-kwee)
–noun
1. censure, blame, or abusive language aimed at a person or thing, esp. by numerous persons or by the general public.
2. discredit, disgrace, or bad repute resulting from public blame, abuse, or denunciation.
George Bush should issue preemptive pardons for interrogators, the oblgoquy to the contrary not withstanding.
(11/25/08)
O·nei·ric (oh-nahy-rik)
–adjective
Of or pertaining to dreams.
In Fred’s view, senior’s reported sexual escapades are largely oneiric.
(08/23/07)
Par-a-skev-i-dek-a-tri-a-pho-bi-a
(pair.uh.skee.vee.dek.uh.tree.uh.FOH.bee.uh)
-noun
Fear of Friday the 13th
So, if you have a fear of Thursday the 12th, do you suffer from premature Paraskevidekatriaphobia?
(07/13/07)
Per-e-gri-na-tion (per-i-gruh-ney-shuh n)
-noun
1. travel from one place to another, esp. on foot.
2. a course of travel; journey.
Fred says that Nancy Pelosi has some impending peregrinations this weekend.
(05/22/09)
Per-spic-u-ous (per-spik-yoo-uhs)
-adjective
1. Clearly expressed or presented; easy to understand: perspicuous prose.
2. Expressing oneself clearly and effectively: a perspicuous lecturer.
Between Barack Obama and Masschusetts Senate candidate Scott Brown, who has the more perspicuous argument about driving a truck?
(01/19/10)
Per·ti·na·cious (pur-tn-ey-shuh s)
–adjective
1. holding tenaciously to a purpose, course of action, or opinion; resolute.
2. stubborn or obstinate.
When it comes to taking a tough stand on
(09/21/07)
Pleb·i·scite (pleb-uh-sahyt)
–noun
1. a direct vote of the qualified voters of a state in regard to some important public question.
2. the vote by which the people of a political unit determine autonomy or affiliation with another country.
If you want a truly direct election, a plebiscite would allow the voters rather than politicians or intermediaries to decide who becomes our president.
(05/14/07)
Pop·in·jay (pop-in-jey)
–noun
1. A person given to vain, pretentious displays and empty chatter; coxcomb; fop.
2. A woodpecker, esp. the green woodpecker.
3. The figure of a parrot usually fixed on a pole and used as a target in archery and gun shooting.
4. A parrot.
In
(10/23/08)
Pro·lix (proh-liks)
–adjective
1. extended to great, unnecessary, or tedious length; long and wordy.
2. (of a person) given to speaking or writing at great or tedious length.
Most members of congress consider themselves eloquent when they speak, most people who listen to them, consider them prolix.
(08/03/07)
Pro-pi-ti-ate
-verb
To gain or regain the favor or goodwill of
Senator Arlen Specter no longer wanted to be inconvenienced with propitiating the voters of
(04/29/09)
Pse-phol-o-gy [see-fol-uh-jee]
–noun
The study of elections.
Fred Grandy, Andy Parks and Bryan Nehman are all practicing pseophologists.
(06/18/09)
Pu·is·sance (pyoo-uh-suhns)
–noun
Power, might, or force.
When it comes to political maneuvering and posturing, Hillary Clinton has greater puissance than Fred Thompson.
(10/16/07)
Pu·sil·lan·i·mous (pyoo-suh-lan-uh-muhs)
–adjective
1. lacking courage or resolution; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid.
2. proceeding from or indicating a cowardly spirit.
(02/04/08)
Re·bar·ba·tive (, ree-bahr-buh-tiv)
<, , /SPAN>–adjective
Causing annoyance, irritation, or aversion; repellent.
The commentary coming from the assembled senators grilling Genera David Petraeus was decided less rebarbative than it had been six months before.
(04/09/08)
Re·cru·des·cence (ree-kroo-des-uh
–noun
1. breaking out afresh or into renewed activity; revival or reappearance in active existence.
2. a return of something after a period of abatement; "a recrudescence of racism"; "a recrudescence of the symptoms"
With the
(05/05/08)
,,
Ret·i·nue (ret-in-oo)
–noun
1. A body of retainers in attendance upon an important personage; suite.
2. The group following and attending to some important pers, o, n
(05/24/07)
Sa·lu·bri·ous (suh-loo-bree-uhs)
–adjective
Favorable to or promoting health; healthful.
Hillary Clinton is now hoping that when she moves to Texas and Ohio for primaries, that will be a more politically salubrious climate.
(02/20/08)
Sa·lu·bri·ty (suh-loo-breh-tee)
–noun
The quality of being salubrious; favorable to or promoting, health.
Michael Bloomberg claims his leaving the Republican Party will improve the salubrity of po, litical dialogue in the
(06/20/07)
San·hed·rin (san-hed-rin)
1. the highest council of the ancient Jews, consisting of 71 members, and exercising authority from about the 2nd century b.c.
2. a lower tribunal of this period, consisting of 23 members.
(09/26/08)
Schnor-rer
–noun
A person who habitually borrows or lives at the expense of others with no intention of repaying; sponger; moocher; beggar.
(06/24/09)
Sclerotic
Adjective
- relating to or having sclerosis; hardened; "a sclerotic patient"
- of or relating to the sclera of the eyeball; "sclerotic tissue"
The Iranian nuclear program is sclerotic when it comes to criticism from the European Union and the
(05/27/08)
Sequacious (si-kwey-shuh
-adjective
1. Intellectually servile
2. following, imitating, or serving another person, esp. unreasoningly.
Given the sequacious behavior of the press, Fred doesn’t know what kinds of tough questions Barack Obama will get.
(12/11/08)
Ses·qui·pe·da·li·an (ses-kwi-pi-dey-lee-uh n)
–adjective
1. Given to using long words.
2. (of a word) containing many syllables.
(06/27/07)
Sol·ip·sism (sol-ip-siz-um)
–noun
1. The theory that only the self exists, or can be proved to exist.
2. Extreme preoccupation with and indulgence of one's feelings, desires, etc.; egoistic self-absorption.
Fred is often accused of solipsism because he believes the celebrity is always right, and he is the celebrity.
(05/10/07)
Syz·y·gy (siz-i-jee)
–noun,
- Astronomy
(06/11/08)
Te·mer·i·ty (tuh-mer-i-tee)
–noun
1. Reckless boldness; rashness.
2. Foolhardy disregard of danger
(05/24/07)
Tour-bil-lion (too r-bil-yuh n)
–noun
1. a whirlwind or something resembling a whirlwind.
2. a firework that rises spirally.
3. a frame for the escapement of a timepiece, esp. a watch, geared to the going train in such a way as to rotate the escapement about once a minute in order to minimize positional error
(01/29/09)
ul·u·late
–verb
1. to howl, as a dog or a wolf; hoot, as an owl
2. to utter howling sounds, as in shrill, wordless lamentation; wail
3. to lament loudly and shrilly
(09/10/08)
Ver·tig·i·nous (ver-tij-uh-nuh
–adjective
- whirling; spinning; rotary
- affected with vertigo
- apt to change quickly; unstable
(10/13/08)
Vi·ti·ate (vish-ee-yet)
–verb
1. to impair the quality of; make faulty; spoil.
2. to impair or weaken the effectiveness of.
3. to debase; corrupt; pervert.
4. to make legally defective or invalid; invalidate: to vitiate a claim.
It’s fair to say that Bill Clinton vitiated the Democratic chances for Al Gore in 2000 because of his “soiree” with Monica Lewinsky.
(02/12/08)
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