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!
Applause applause............good poem
Hey Joe, either you are not "religious" or your "religion" is just empty window dressing that has absolutely no spiritual effect in your life. If you would like to shove your rosary beads down my throat you are welcome to come down here to Texas and try it, or I will be happy to come visit you in Delaware or Washington, DC. But just be aware that if you attempt to shove your rosary beads down my throat, then your proctologist will have to retrieve them for you to try it with anyone else. (But at least they will be close to your brain.)
Ha - so there really was a reason for those court ordered blinds for your windows....;^)
The man really values his Rosary beads, huh?
especially since they face your swimming pool. ;-o
I fear what he would do with a statue of Jesus :^)
Robert, is that you? lol
Cross yourself!!
Wonderful! A+! I had a blast yesterday talking knitting with another mom at the school. My shop is having their big sale this weekend and wild horses won't keep me away.
Excellent. A+. As in Social Security which, in truth, refers to neither.
A+. Psst, Plugs is a CINO. Pass it on.
Excellent smack on Harry. A+. He is a Nevadan masquerading as Daschle.
Next week, we'll work on subtlety. ;)
A+ for the indignant kitty! Is that the Scottish folded type?
I think he just demonstrated our WFTD. Way to go Dubs! Another A!
Good morning! I'm off to the art room. Back later!
I didn't pick up on that - good work SG!
ROFL!!!!!!!!!
Something about those words that shows how much he understands his religion...
What - you've never said a decade of the rosary whilst concentrating on the Unholy Violent Mysteries?????
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