Latest notable terms from this week’s Slate Culture Gabfest and Slate Political Gabfest (feel free to email me suggestions or leave them in the comments to the main page):
- anodyne (JT, CG11-17-09)
- carapace (SM, CG11-17-09)
- Indestructible omnibot of a pop tartlett (JT, CG11-17-09, referring to Lady GaGa)
- insouciance (EB, XX11-19-09]
- pastiches (JT, CG11-17-09)
- twee (SM, CG11-17-09)
Honorable mention (questionable selections): pabulum (does anyone really know what the heck pabulum is?) and speaks to (as in, “that speaks to this issue”–God, I hate that figure of speech).
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Gah. What is an “omnibot?”
I have used “anodyne.” And the word “carapace” has a precise, literal meaning in zoology, and a figurative one to those who know the precise meaning. I’ve used it in both senses. Was the omnibot comment referring to Ayn Rand’s indestructible robot? A pastiche is a necessary word in art criticism, no doubt about it. I write a new ragtime pastiche about once per week. Can’t help myself. I love ragtime. But I’m no Joplin epigone! (There’s another word for you.)
I agree with you regarding “speaks to,” though I must confess: I’ve probably used it, too.