Episode #012, 25.12.2011: normalcy

Sound: nôr"məl-sē

normal, adjective and noun. Conforming to standard, regular, usual, typical; hence normality (also irregular normalcy).

In a sentence: “The nation will return to normalcy.”

This word is very much associated with 29^th president of the United States, Warren G. Harding. In the election of 1920, Harding promised “a return to normalcy”. At that time some people thought that normalcy was a word that Harding made up or used inappropriately. I was indeed told in social studies in high school that he coined the word. This is not true. The term can in fact be found in dictionaries that date back as far as 1857.

But it is true, that people rather tend to use the word normality instead. It turns out that Harding did not have a problem with the English language – however he is still considered by many to have been one of the worst US presidents.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_rankings_of_Presidents_of_the_United_States)

Be that as it may, words can be tricky.

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Episode #011, 18.12.2011: caboodle

caboodle, noun. Slang. The whole caboodle, all the lot (persons or things). U.S., of unknown origin; compare boodle.

Boodle, noun. Crowd, pack, lot.

In a sentence: “First he wanted to take just certain things, but then he took the whole caboodle.”

Caboodle is a US slang term from the mid 19^th century. Myself I have never heard this funny sounding word in that sense.

However, Elliot Reid, one of the main characters in the series Scrubs, uses the term. When asked about it, she replies, “It’s a word I'm trying out to replace ass. I have loose morals and I'm living in sin. I'm still hoping that not being a potty mouth will get me into heaven!”

She also uses her made-up word caboodle hole. Sounds a lot nicer, doesn’t it? But then again, what’s the point of insulting then?

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Episode #010, 11.12.2011: Spotlight: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Dialogue "I'm disinclined to acquiesce to your request."

This episode can again be divided by 5, so it’s another spotlight episode!

The focus is on the following dialogue from the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”. The pirates, lead by Captain Barbossa, have attacked Port Royal and taken Elizabeth, one of the main characters, hostage. She, knowing the pirate code, has asked for a “parley”, a truce in order to negotiate.

Elizabeth: Captain Barbossa, I am here to negotiate the cessation of hostilities against Port Royal.

Barbossa: There are a lot of long words in there, Miss; we're naught but humble pirates. What is it that you want?

Elizabeth: I want you to leave and never come back.

Barbossa: I'm disinclined to acquiesce to your request. Means "no".

Obviously this dialogue is about how you can say one thing with simple, short words, but also with long, complicated words. We will analyze those words.

Elizabeth says that she’s “here to negotiate the cessation of hostilities against Port Royal”. So she wants to negotiate, i.e. talk to Barbossa in order to reach an agreement. To cease means to stop, so cessation or ceasing means stopping. Hostilities are acts of warfare. Therefore we gather that she wants to convince the pirates to stop attacking Port Royal. As the governor’s daughter, she was taught to talk like that.

Barbossa, however, asserts that “[there] are a lot of long words” and that he and his crew are “naught but humble pirates”, i.e. nothing but humble pirates – implying they are simple minded. Elizabeth rephrases, “I want you to leave and never come back.” which is certainly a much simpler expression.

Barbossa, making fun of her, says “I'm disinclined to acquiesce to your request.” To be inclined to do sth. means to be disposed or willing to do sth., so to be disinclined to do sth. means the opposite. To acquiesce means to agree silently or to accept. And a request is, of course a thing asked for. In short, as he says himself, he means: “No.” A rather fanciful way of conveying such a short word, don’t you think?

But that is the end of this episode. Drink up, me hearties, yo ho!

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Episode #009, 4.12.2011: warlock

Sound: /ˈwɔːlɒk/

warlock, noun. Sorcerer, wizard.

In a sentence: “The warlock conjured up a demon.”

This word does not seem to be generally known. People know the word witch and wizard, but not warlock. It seems to me, warlock is a better male version of witch, whereas the proper female version of wizard is wizardess. That’s just my opinion.

I think it is interesting that a lot of magic practitioners today are using that label for themselves. So if you come across it, you now know what it means.

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