New Words

I love to find new words and learn what those words mean. When I was little, I would ask my parents what words meant as they'd fly out of the television program or movie we were watching, or book I was reading. I would turn to them and ask what the word meant. As I grew older, I soon realized that though they were answering me correctly, they more often were defining the word within the context of how it was used in the movie or television program.

But that's not what I wanted. I'm kind of a snob when it comes to word definitions.

I want the simple, scientific, without context definition of each word I ask about. I wanted my parents to be a walking dictionary where they would ramble off the definition precisely as Merrium-Webster had written. I imagined it like the end of "The Wizard of Oz" when the scarecrow get's his diploma; he changes his voice and rambles off a mathematical problem proving his now genius brain. That's apparently how I imagined definitions to be shared: in monotone. Now, I'd much rather it recited back to me much like Stephen Fry, whom of which undoubtedly knows every word and definition. I need a British scholar in the back of my pocket at all time.

Though I may be a snob in my preference for precisely recited definitions, I am not a snob in where I find new words. I love finding new words in movies, television, newspapers, books, strangers conversations, friends, family, etc.

Do you get it?

Basically, ANYWHERE!

I recently have begun keeping track of new words I learn from Nina Conti interviews and/or videos. She's by far my favorite comedian since she is beyond clever and witty but she is also, not surprisingly, incredibly articulate. I conclude it is because she is British as well as greatly educated and well-read. I truly believe that the British are better versed in language than Americans and are also, more importantly, actually encouraged to use articulate speech in every day life.

All of these words were found from interviews or social media and said by Nina herself. It's important I make this clear as she is also a ventriloquist and "speaks for many", but these words are all from Nina.

Monkey, her main puppet, finds the use of these words haughty and ridiculously foolish. He'd never be caught using these words. He's better than that.

I've put an asterisk next to the words I'd heard before but never knew the actual definition. The rest are completely new and are easy to remember but difficult to include in conversation. This will be a new goal and I shall be successful!

Intransigent - uncompromising.

Gauche - lacking social experience or grace; not tactful.

Counterintuitive* - contrary to what intuition or common sense would indicate.

Physiognomy - art of judging human character from facial features.

Conspicuous* - attracting notice or attention.

Wherewithal *- the money or other means needed for a particular purpose.

Metier* - an area of activity in which one excels; forte.

Flummox - perplex (someone) greatly; bewilder.