Posted on 11/03/2005 4:45:21 AM PST by secret garden
In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".
catachresis • \kat-uh-KREE-sis\ • noun
1. use of the wrong word for the context
2. use of a forced and especially paradoxical figure of speech
Example sentence:
The paper printed a correction for the previous day's catachresis: dubbing a local artist-philanthropist a "socialist" when they meant "socialite."
Etymology: As you might have guessed, "catachresis" is a word favored by grammarians. It can be employed as a fancy label of disparagement for whatever uses the grammarian finds unacceptable. Thus could Henry Fowler, in the 1920s, call "mutual" in "our mutual friend" a catachresis. (Fowler preferred "common," but "mutual" does have an established sense which is correct in that context.) More often, "catachresis" is used for an unintentional misuse and is very close in meaning to "malapropism," which usually refers to an unintentionally humorous misuse of a word. "Catachresis" has been used to describe (or decry) misuses of words since at least 1550. The word comes to us by way of Latin from the Greek noun "katachrçsis," which means "misuse."
Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day in a sentence.
The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day.
The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-)
Practice makes perfect.....post on....
Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02: Raffish (Be SURE to check out posts #92 and #111 on this thread!)
Review Thread Two: Word For The Day, Tuesday 1/14/03: Roister
Review Thread Three: Word For The Day, Tuesday 1/28/03: Obdurate
WFB's attempt to emulate us ; ) No pushing at the door please!
Oh, that impaction Crater?
It was an opun and shut case of an innocent night merely seeping around the Holy Grail.
PC much? ;)
Or when they refer to her as a brilliant woman. As Dick Morris has said on his latest book tour, her next big idea will be her first. A for you. F for hillary.
I like what you do with words, Jack. A+
Excellent as always Jack.
There's your A+. Fair instead of speedy.
There are the deadly dozen that are all CINO's (Catholic in name only). Of course all the Dems on the Senate Judiciary are either JINO's or CINO's.
PC, me, don't make me ROR.
Hi, Dutchgirl:
Likening Robert Culp to Joe Biden is just plain WRONG!
Rob Reiner or Brad Pitt, maybe. But not Robert Culp. Funny graphic, though.
Thanks for the link, tioga.
Hi, xsmommy!
In the words of Norm Crosby: "Hey, Beer-Tender!"
I like playing with words, secret.
Thanks for the compliment.
Jack.
life is hectic here i may not last the day......
ok HELP what to do with a breastfed baby when you are not mommy.........
Give bottle of breastmilk or let baby suck on your pinkie. Finger!
she hates breast milk from a bottle, she has finally taken her binkie........whew, i am mush when she cries
How old is she? Usually, those who don't feed formula don't use pacifiers. Babies can get nipple confusion and yes, I hated typing that in this classroom.
I saw that on the thread you posted.
The afternoon host, who I happen to know and like is going to bring it up after the bottom of the hour news.
www.wdel.com
Don't forget sKerry........
Biden was going on about how he doesn't use his religion, Delawareans know I never do, I attend Mass and receive communion every sunday.........as I said, I about gagged.
if he gets communion every sunday, it is only because the bishop is remiss in giving it to him, given his proabort voting record.
I know.
the guy I like is about to bring up the issue........I'm interested in his take - he's a major conservative and his cohort on today is the total opposite!!!
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