October 2010
PHARISAICAL
pharisaical
PRONUNCIATION:
(far-uh-SAY-uh-kuhl)
MEANING:
adjective: Characterized by hypocritical self-righteousness; putting emphasis on strict observance of rituals unrelated to the spirit or meaning of the ceremony.
ETYMOLOGY:
After the Pharisees, a Jewish sect during 1 BCE - 1 CE, whose members were noted for strict observance of rites and rituals, and felt superior because of it. The...
WRITE A SCREENPLAY IN 12 YEARS (OR MORE)!! by Bob... →
STENTORIAN
stentorian
PRONUNCIATION:
(sten-TOR-ee-uhn)
MEANING:
adjective: Loud and powerful.
ETYMOLOGY:
In Greek mythology, Stentor was a herald in the Trojan War and noted for his loud voice. In Iliad, Homer described his voice to be equal to the voices of fifty men. He was put to death after his defeat by Hermes (1, 2) in a shouting contest.
USAGE:
“David Beckham’s legendarily...
FULSOME
fulsome \FUL-sum, adjective:
1. Offensive to the taste or sensibilities. 2. Insincere or excessively lavish; especially, offensive from excess of praise.
He recorded the event in his journal: “Long evening visit from Mr. Langtree—a fulsome flatterer.” — Edward L. Widmer, Young America: The Flowering of Democracy in New York City
Concealed disgust under the appearance...
Re: Gilese 581g | The Astronomist →
fuckyeahspace:
Back when Gilese 581g was discovered, a huge fuss was made about finding “Earth’s twin”, on which the chances of life were “100%”. The backlash to the media response has been swift and forceful, quite rightfully. I’ve said it before to trust nothing you hear about science and in this article The Astronomist expands on that. He spells out the things that the media glazed over, for...
“It’s the movies that have really been running things in America ever since they...”
– Andy Warhol (via styleandsubstance) 