Posted on 07/01/2009 5:50:17 AM PDT by VRWCmember
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".
periphrasis • \puh-RIFF-ruh-sis\ • noun • 
1: use of a longer phrasing in place of a possible shorter form of expression
2: an instance of periphrasis *
* Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.
Example sentence:
The college English teacher warned her students against padding their essays with periphrases solely to reach the required length.
Did you know?
It's easy enough to point out the origins of "periphrasis": the word was borrowed into English in the early 16th century via Latin from Greek "periphrazein," which in turn comes from the prefix "peri-," meaning "all around," and the verb "phrazein," "to point out." Two common descendants of "phrazein" in English are "phrase" and "paraphrase," the latter of which combines "phrazein" with the prefix "para-," meaning "closely resembling." Another "phrazein" descendant is the less familiar word "holophrasis," meaning "the expression of a complex of ideas in a single word or in a fixed phrase." (The prefix "holo-" can mean "completely.")
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 Threads:
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
Review Thread Four: Word For the Day, Friday 7/25/03: Potation
Review Thread Five: Word For the Day, Monday 8/19/03: Stolid
Review Thread Six: Word for the Day, Tuesday 11/09/2004: Peripatetic (Post #125 may be my best anagram post ever)
Here is my example with today's WFTD.
Pontificating periphrasis proffered in her pronouncements from the bench failed to convince superior judges that her rulings were correct.
No pushing at the door please!
Happy Humpday Everybody! (except for the Soother who had his humpday yesterday)
Only 
days left until BO's replacement is sworn in.
It's about dang time!
periphrasis (political): Never use one word when ten will do.
What?
!
Sounds like Obammy! And a whole host of other Dim Dhims.
Line: We are thinking abuot that and will let you know our decision.
Actual response: "We... um, uh... we've given..mmmm... we'RE giving thought.. very um, serious thought... to that question... uhhhh.... uhhh.. um.... and... we'll get um.... back to you... ummm... back when a choice... the ummmm... the decision... ah... has been,... um, you know... made."
i think it’s a form of peritonitis
The Chosen One’s use of periphrasis
Evinces, in me, a hypothesis
Despite her shrieking and lying
We’d have been better off trying
The witch with the elephantiasis
The Rev.Al doing the bump and grind...(In the bounds of good taste I would request the ladies keep their hands above the desk while viewing...)
The periphrases emanating from Robert Gibbs on a daily basis are often entertaining. Are plurals allowed?
hh
Please accept my apologies, as it is not possible for me to formulate a response at this juncture in time.
I think you left out an apology or two.
Though it would be fair to assume that an apology is implied, especially if he is talking to our enemies.
It literally took me 10 seconds to get it.
Lots of Laughs!
sɪs, fɪ-/ 
Show Spelled Pronunciation [fahy-moh-sis, fi-] Show IPA
Show Spelled Pronunciation [-seez] Show IPA . Pathology. | 1. | constriction of the orifice of the prepuce so as to prevent the foreskin from being drawn back to uncover the glans penis. |
Utilization of a periphrasis is not an expedient method of eschewing obfuscation.
My babies play for the town softball rec league championship tonight! I’m so excited! :)
you would, being penile-centric!
As Blackadder might say, I’m anispeptic, frasmotic, even compunctuous to have caused you such pericombobulation.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.