Word for the Day: POSTICHE

2000 Most Challenging and Obscure Words | Norman Schur

[Louis Foxwell]

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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".

postiche [paw STEESH]

hear it pronounced

adjective

A superflous and inappropriate addition to a finished work, like a sculpture or other ornament stuck onto a building, may be described as postiche.

More generally, postiche applies to things counterfeit or false.

As a noun, a postiche is a superfluous and unbecoming addition, a sham, an imitation of or substitute for the real thing, a pretense, and in a special use, a wig or hairpiece, a particular type of replacement of the genuine article.

Postiche was taken from the French, where it has all those meanings; they got it from the italian posticcio or apposticcio (artificial, sham; capelli apposticci means "false hair"); and they took it from the Latin apposticius (false, put on).

A more common synonymous expression is "gilding the lily".

Of course all this makes us think, inexorably, of Donald's hair, explicitly NOT postiche but madly accused of being such, as, arguably, is the man himself.

[Mamzelle]

The Hungarian Rhapsody is not really gypsy music, but a pastiche.

[Mamzelle]

You win.

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

Naha... Like I need. A banana leaf. :-) Better looking than that fairy too.

[King Moonracer]

I thought I was finished wiping but a pastiche soiled the paper, and amazing spelled FUBO.

[Old Sarge]

The single most famous (or infamous) pastiche of them all, is the supposed "homosexuals manifesto", allegedly written by a homosexual outlining what their true agenda is - but in reality, even in the first paragraph, states he wrote it in hyperbole, playing on breeders' fears.

And to this day, people accept it as truth.

[Louis Foxwell]

Obama is indeed a postiche. Whether on the ass or the face of Uncle Sam is a matter of emphasis. He has, indeed, disfigured our country. Far from grafted in to the tree of liberty he is a canker on its trunk, as is Hillary. Good usage.

[Louis Foxwell]

Yesss. Boehner is the perfect illustration of a postiche, pasted on the country's leadership as a rotten, drunken corruption.

[Louis Foxwell]

Yes he is. A witless embellishment lending nothing of value and corrupting the essence of the office of POTUS.

[xsmommy]

Amazingly, OH refused to become a postiche on the patchwork of drug-addled states of America.

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

Obama has found his true niche
Post-American, puerile postiche
And as for his wife
The true “love of his life”
She’s a heartless, mean-spirited biche

[Louis Foxwell]

Liszt wrote 15 Hungarian Rhapsodys. As one of the greatest pianists ever he was enormously prolific. Much of his work has never been performed due largely to the immensity of his production.
His vast body of work is seminal and may never be adequately employed.

[Louis Foxwell]

Obamacare is a postiche become cancer on the body of healthcare.

[Louis Foxwell]

Over the years here at FR we have seen satire become reality. The postiche of inflamed perverted libidinal excess has become normative. The trappings become the thing itself. This is the simple travesty of postiche that a foolish embellishment comes to define the underlying work. Excellent find, Sarge.

Honorable Mention Award:

[Louis Foxwell]

The Amish win again.

Nice catch.

[Louis Foxwell]

I have been saving this award just for such an occasion. Congratulations on an excellent limerick.

[xsmommy]

this was excellent news last night. AND Virginia, despite McAuliffe's best efforts, and a ton of outside $, kept the state senate in republican hands.

[SoothingDave]

Yeah, but I won’t be able to pick up some pot to go with my fireworks from Ohio next year.

[NeoCaveman]

As if it’s difficult to buy pot, anywhere.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I have a postiche on my collar bone, but the dermatoligist will take it off!

[Louis Foxwell]

A postiche on your collar bone, hmmm, sounds like a necklace. Yes, I am sure the dermotologist will be happy to rid you of this impediment.