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Interesting and Esoteric Words of the Slate Podcast Literati: Nov. 19, 2009

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).

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{ 2 comments… add one }
  • Jayel Aheram November 18, 2009, 7:05 pm

    Gah. What is an “omnibot?”

  • t w v November 18, 2009, 8:47 pm

    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.

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