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Word Induced Hemorrhage of the SinusFollow

#1 Apr 26 2004 at 1:00 AM Rating: Good
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I like it when people use my name in posts. It feeds my undernourished ego and gives me another priceless variable to use in conjunction with the newly revamped 'Search' feature.

Quote:
Totem wrote:
I finally managed to work "Gongoristic" into a post and not one person makes mention of it. Thundra will undoubtedly go into an orgasmic spasm when he reads it though...


You have no idea, Totem.

'Gongorism' is among my favorite words.

I think my favorite word of all time is 'Cacophemism'. I love that word. I like the sound of it, the meaning, the rarity of use; everything. That word is NAILS! I'm also particularly fond of the word 'superfluous'. It's highfalutin' and graceful, but more importantly, there's a lyrical, almost musical, quality to it.

I finally stumbled unto a means of using 'belletristic', another of my favorites, in a post the other day. And I was able to do it in such a way as to avoid appearing verbose for the sake of being verbose. Let's face it, the level of literacy on this board isn't exactly conducive to showing off one's vocabulary- that's assuming, of course, that you have a genuine desire for your audience to know what you're blabbering on about and write accordingly. Anyway... I mention having used that word because it's similar to 'gongoristic' and because it allows me to segue into a discussion about a particular type of word...

It's more than a little ironic that every entry in the English dictionary that means 'unnecessarily wordy' is, invariably, 'unnecessarily wordy'.

See what I'm talking about?

Quote:
bombastic, declamatory, diffuse, discursive, flatulent, fustian, garrulous, grandiose, grandiloquent, inflated, loquacious, magniloquent, orotund, ostentatious, palaverous, pleonastic, prolix, sonorous, redundant, rhetorical, tedious, turgid, verbose, voluble


These words are completely polar in meaning; the connotative and denotative senses of the word existing in sharp contrast to one another. They are, in essence, a narcissistic condemnation of self.

They are the rhetorical equivalent of combining matter and anti-matter. Logically, one might assume that by uttering or listening to such a word, and thereby melding the opposing forces inherent, it might result in one's head exploding. Thankfully, such is not the case- there is rarely any damage done. It can, however, result in an explosion. Like this post; the one I just blew out my ***. I think Shakespeare experienced something similar, except that he crapped out things like The Tempest and Romeo and Juliet. Dumbass.

#2 Apr 26 2004 at 2:55 AM Rating: Decent
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Is cacophemism a word? Do you mean cacophony? As in a harsh tone? Just askin'
#3 Apr 26 2004 at 3:01 AM Rating: Good
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Well, Thundra, seeing's as im jus' a colej stu'dnt, I dun no whut all dem wurds you bee sayin' bee meanin'. So if you's kood keep dem der wurds nise and small and eesy, I'd much apreciat it. Thank ya kindlee.

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#4 Apr 26 2004 at 6:40 AM Rating: Good
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Quote:
Is cacophemism a word? Do you mean cacophony? As in a harsh tone? Just askin'

Not according to Merriam-Webster. I thought the same thing you did, but as in discordant noise. When M-W couldn't find "cacophemism" it suggested the following:

1. cacophonies
2. cockchafers
3. coffeemakers
4. chemotaxis
5. cacophonously
6. kakiemons
7. coffee-klatsches
8. coffeemaker
9. ****-a-leekies
10. cofferdams

#9 is my new word of the day. Sounds English.

#5 Apr 26 2004 at 6:48 AM Rating: Decent
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In language, both dysphemism and cacophemism are rough opposites of euphemism, meaning the usage of an intentionally harsh word or expression instead of a polite one.

The latter is generally used more often in the sense of something deliberately offensive, while the former can be either offensive or merely humorously deprecating. Examples of dysphemism include the American military's use of **** on a shingle for their common breakfast of creamed chipped beef on toast, or dead tree edition for the paper version of an online magazine.

Many of the same subjects can be dysphemized as euphemized, such as sex and death -- a well-thought-of dead person may be said to have passed away, a disrespected one to have kicked the bucket or to be "worm food". Oddly, some humorous expressions can be both euphemistic and dysphemistic depending on context: for example spank the monkey might be used as either a softer alternative to **********, or as a more deliberately provocative one depending on the audience.
#6 Apr 26 2004 at 6:55 AM Rating: Good
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Come to think of it, choice #2 ain't bad, either.
#7 Apr 26 2004 at 7:15 AM Rating: Decent
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Quote:
6. kakiemons



I misread that as "katiemons" the first time I saw it. My mind reeled in horror at the thought of digital katies infesting the boards.

#8 Apr 26 2004 at 7:16 AM Rating: Decent
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So Selfish, think all that up yourself did ya?

http://www.yourencyclopedia.net/Cacophemism
#9 Apr 26 2004 at 7:18 AM Rating: Decent
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Nope Pat. I googled it.






Edited, Mon Apr 26 08:20:50 2004 by SelfishMan
#10 Apr 26 2004 at 7:28 AM Rating: Decent
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Yes. I know.
#11 Apr 26 2004 at 2:26 PM Rating: Good
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/looks pointedly in Thundra's direction

Word.

/nods

Totem
#12 Apr 26 2004 at 2:31 PM Rating: Good
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"In language, both dysphemism and cacophemism are rough opposites of euphemism, meaning the usage of an intentionally harsh word or expression instead of a polite one.

The latter is generally used more often in the sense of something deliberately offensive, while the former can be either offensive or merely humorously deprecating." --SelfishMan

When refering to our favorite board lesbians (dearly departed now-- a moment of silence please) you'd say "dyksphemism." And, yes, choice #2 prolly would chafe them. Just sayin'.

/exit to the sound of banjos

Totem

Edited, Mon Apr 26 15:32:12 2004 by Totem
#13 Apr 26 2004 at 2:34 PM Rating: Good
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I believe the "katiemons" is precisely what lured in her present husband...

But what do I know?

Totem
#14 Apr 26 2004 at 4:04 PM Rating: Decent
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My favorite word is "sesquipedalian".



ses·qui·pe·da·lian ( P ) Pronunciation Key (sskw-p-dlyn)
n.
A long word.

adj.
Given to the use of long words.
Long and ponderous; polysyllabic.
#15 Apr 26 2004 at 6:49 PM Rating: Good
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Quote:
Is cacophemism a word? Do you mean cacophony? As in a harsh tone?

That is perhaps the most insulting thing anyone has ever said to me on this board. :) To make matters worse, you weren't even trying.

Yes, as has already been pointed out, cacophemism is a real word. As I said earlier, one of the qualities which draws me to the word is its rarity. Of course, the downside to knowing words like that is, as they aren't usually in household dictionaries, they aren't much good when playing Scrabble.

This post reminds me, someone really ought create an exact antonym to 'Synergy'. Or does such a word already exist? I suppose 'Asynergy' or 'Asynergistic' would be adequate, but they're a bit colorless; too much function, not enough fluorish. Perhaps that's why Totem knew I'd be so fond of 'Gongoristic'.
#16 Apr 26 2004 at 7:08 PM Rating: Good
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Yeah, I knew Gongoristic would turn your crank, T. It has a kind of Revenge of Khan sound to it, doesn't it? Where Ricardo Monteban puns his way into a final battle with Kirk, making our intrepid captain wince in pain with every wicked punch accompanied by a nasty verbal jab.

Totem
#17 Apr 26 2004 at 7:43 PM Rating: Decent
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Most people use Obsergy.

If they studied Latin. I have no clue if it's actually a "word" but I've seen it used a few times.
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To make a long story short, I don't take any responsibility for anything I post here. It's not news, it's not truth, it's not serious. It's parody. It's satire. It's bitter. It's angsty. Your mother's a *****. You like to jack off dogs. That's right, you heard me. You like to grab that dog by the bone and rub it like a ski pole. Your dad? Gay. Your priest? Straight. **** off and let me post. It's not true, it's all in good fun. Now go away.

#18 Apr 27 2004 at 3:33 AM Rating: Decent
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Quote:
That is perhaps the most insulting thing anyone has ever said to me on this board. :) To make matters worse, you weren't even trying.


Why insulting? I should just trust you about words and definitions? No way, I know that game!
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