Episode #043, 29.07.2012: circumvallate

Sound: /sɜːkəmˈvæleɪt/

circumvallate, transitive verb. circumvallation, noun. (Surround with) rampart or entrenchment; process of doing this.

In a sentence: “The settlement is circumvallated by a stake-fence.”

This word comes from Latin circum, which means around, and vallum, which is rampart. A rampart is a defensive barrier.

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Episode #042, 22.07.2012: high jinks

Sound: /haɪ ʤɪnks/
jink

1. verb. Move elusively, dodge, elude by dodging; (slang) maneuver aircraft, be maneuvered, jerkily to avoid anti-aircraft fire etc.
2. noun. Act of jinking; high jinks: boisterous sport, merrymaking

In a sentence: “The kids took part in some happy high jinks.”

About high jinks: Wiktionary also notes that “hijinks” is an alternative spelling and that it means “tricky and/or humorous behavior”. The plural of hijinks is the same.

When kids fool around, they tend to chase each other. The one being chased might run and try to escape by dodging the other child. Maybe this is the reason why it is called high jinks…?

It is closely related to shenanigans, which we covered in episode 7.

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Episode #041, 15.07.2012: licentiousness

licentious, adjective. Disregarding accepted rules especially of grammar or style (rare); lascivious /ləˈsɪvɪəs/, libertine, lewd /luːd/. Hence licentiousness.

In a sentence: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness…” (Galatians 5:19)

The bible uses this one a few times. It means hedonistic behavior. It comes from the Latin word licentia (license, freedom). You might say being licentious means you give yourself the license to do certain things.

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Episode #040, 08.07.2012: Spotlight: The American Language by H. L. Mencken

The American Language is a book by H. L. Mencken that was first published in 1919.

H. L. Mencken was an American writer and journalist, who was a severe critic of American life and culture. He was once called the American Nietzsche, whom he admired.

He wrote brilliant satirical reporting from the Scopes trial (Scopes Monkey trial). By the way, if you want to know more about the Scopes trial, I recommend that you watch the 1960 movie Inherit the Wind or let H. L. Mencken’s reporting be read to you (link).

In his book, Mencken discusses the English language as it is spoken throughout the United States, discussing the differences between the US and UK, spelling, names, slang etc. When I read it, I was particularly impressed by the various regional differences. He discussed words and slang from various groups, for example immigrants, Native Americans, blacks, soldiers and criminals.

All in all it is a very interesting book. It’s worth reading, even though it is fairly long.

The whole text is also on the web.

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Episode #039, 01.07.2012: vicious

Sound: /ˈvɪʃəs/

vicious, adjective. Of the nature of vice, morally evil or injurious as in vicious tendencies, courses, life; addicted to vice as in vicious companions; (of language, reasoning, etc.) incorrect, faulty, unsound, corrupt as in a vicious style, vicious circle; bad-tempered, spiteful as in vicious dog, mood, remarks.

In a sentence: “As he became more and more vicious, he became an outlaw.”

This word sounds very strong. “You’re bad.” sounds whiny, but “You’re vicious!” really gets across the message of moral contempt.

Note that, as seen in the dictionary entry, its meaning is not always that strong. Something that is simply incorrect can be vicious, too.

A vicious circle is:

I won’t give you the dictionary definitions for a change, because those are rather complicated. Also, you probably already know most meanings. What are the meanings?

1. A situation in which the solution to one problem creates a chain of problems, each making it more difficult to solve the original one.
2. A fallacy in which the premise is used to prove a conclusion which is then used to prove the premise (circular argument).

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