I formerly called this feature “Pretentious Terms of the Slate Podcast Literati.” But after debate and reflection, I am changing it to the more ungainly and accurate, but less insulting and offensive, “Interesting and Notable Words and Phrases”. These are words and turns of phrase I notice: either interesting, or delicious, or perhaps a bit too fancy or strained or, yes, in some cases, maybe pretentious, or even misused. But usually just interesting and notable.
Latest notable terms from today’s Slate Culture Gabfest (feel free to email me suggestions or leave them in the comments to the main page):
- ascribe [SM] (just kidding on this one!)
- cuneiform [not too notable except SM pronounces it the way everyone else does, DS says kyoo-NAY-ih-form]
- giant nougat of incivility [SM]
- l’esprit de l’escalier [SM, a new one on me, I'll admit]
- triptych [DS]
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Douche:
Today they used conceipt and petty. I too am surprised. those are both probably French-derived words.
So wrong.
Keep up the good fight, you idiot.
DB