Word of the Day-malapropism0 评论
Malapropism (Noun)
Pronunciation: ['mæ-lê-prahp-iz-êm] Listen Definition: The unintentional use of one word that sounds a bit like another (almost homophones), but which is completely and hilariously wrong in context. Usage: Like another recent Word of the Day, "spoonerism," a malapropism is a type of speech error that happens to be funny. A "malapropist" is someone noted for their malapropisms and the adjective is "malapropian." However, "malaprop" may be used by itself as a noun, verb, or adjective: "Her malaprops will keep her from the top" or "Her malaprop speech undermined her career" or "He could have been a contender but he malapropped once too often in a top-level meeting." Suggested Usage: Comedian Norm Crosby, king of the malaprops, always speaks from his diagram and drinks only decapitated coffee. Still, we don't suggest you malaprop but simply enjoy the malapropisms you hear around you: "This restaurant has quite a lovely ambulance!" "Such an attractive man—he's got a very appalling way about him." "A missile defense shield could start a new clear war." Enough already! To paraphrase Mrs. Malaprop, lead the way out of here and we'll precede. Etymology: A commonization (conversion from proper to common noun) circa 1849 from Mrs. Malaprop, a character noted for her misuse of words in Richard Sheridan's comedy "The Rivals" (1775)（爱尔兰喜剧《情敌》中的人物马勒普太太）. Sheridan created her name from the French phrase mal à propos "inappropriate." Mrs. Malaprop thus is the eponym of "malapropism." Word of the Day-Machiavellian0 评论
Machiavellian (adjective)
Pronunciation: [mak-ee-ê-'vel-ee-ên] Definition: (1) Characterized by unscrupulous cunning, deception, or expediency; (2) manipulative, resorting to exploiting and misleading others in pursuit of one's personal goals. Usage: Today's word is the adjective that expresses the conviction that the ends justify any means, including unethical and immoral ones. It is not used as an adverb but the noun is "Machiavellianism." Since the word's eponym persists as a topic of conversation itself, we continue to capitalize it, even though it is used as a common adjective. Suggested Usage: As mentioned above, this term originally referred to political behavior: "The United States has historically employed Machiavellian principles in defending its interests in Central and South America." Its wider application was quickly noted, however, "Burnham Goode quickly rose to the presidency of the university by resorting to Machiavellian tactics that left him friendless for the entirety of his term." Etymology: Taken from the surname of Niccolò de Bernardo Machiavelli (1469-1527), an Italian political philosopher who advocated political expediency above morality in his monograph, 'The Prince.' Machiavelli's surname, then, is the eponym of today's word. It was originally used by the French as a simple derogatory epithet for Italians in general but the meaning was refined when borrowed into English.
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