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July 16, 2008 • 1

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Grad School Vocab

Very commonly “paradigm shift” or “paradigmatically.” The OED provides us many definitions, for example: “A conceptual or methodological model underlying the theories and practices of a science or discipline at a particular time; (hence) a generally accepted world view.” and “paradigm shift n. a conceptual or methodological change in the theory or practice of a […]

farniente (n)

French for idleness, or literally, do-nothing. Originally from Rousseau, who rejoices in idleness, or his “precious far niente.” Heinrich Meier in On the Happiness of the Philosophic Life, claims the phrase “refers to an activity of a unique sort… a ‘delightful and necessary pursuit of a man who has devoted himself to idleness.” Meier notes that Rousseau’s first use […]

intrinsic (adj)

Or most commonly, intrinsically (adv) meaning “belonging to the very nature of a thing.” 1480-90; < Medieval Latin intrinsecus inward (adj.), Latin (adv.), equivalent to intrin- (int(e)r-, as in interior + -im adv. suffix) + secus beside, derivative of sequī to follow A word that is tremendously overused, often redundantly, i.e., “intrinsic nature.” Suffers from the problem […]

Schmendrick (n)

Schmendrick (שמענדריק) is Yiddish for a foolish or contemptible person (OED). In addition, according to Joys of Yiddish by Leo Rosten, another definition is “an apprentice schlemiel.” For more on schlemiels, see: schlemazel.

amphiboly (n)

amphibolic (adj) amphibolically (adv) 1635-45; < Latin amphibolus < Greek amphíbolos thrown on both sides, ambiguous, equivalent to amphi- amphi- + -bol- (verb of bállein to throw) + -os -ous – Linguistically, an amphiboly is an ambiguity which results from ambiguous grammar, as opposed to one that results from the ambiguity of words or phrases—that is, Equivocation. The […]

attosecond

(n). The smallest measurement of time available to science so far. Atto + second, atto meaning “18,” referring to the exponent describing fraction: 1×10−18 of a second Or one quintillionth of a second.

Look-Back Time

(n). “Due to the amount of time required for light traveling through the cosmos to reach the Earth, astronomic observers are always viewing the past—an effect known as ‘look-back time. The Sun has a look-back time of eight minutes, while the Andromeda galaxy’s is two million years.” From Lapham’s Quarterly. Of course, look-back time also […]

chronopun (n)

A pun based on concepts of time, or using time diction. They are every bit as unbearable as regular puns. For example, this Cyanide & Happiness comic: Shakespeare makes a number of chronopuns. Here’s the first I’ve found: “And so from hour to hour we ripe and ripe, And then from hour to hour we rot […]

semantic satiation (n)

Also sometimes called “semantic saturation” is the phenomenon of hearing a word so many times it loses its meaning and is reduced merely to it phonetic sounds. The dissolution of the signifier from the signified. The weirdness of language made apparent–something of an exercise in cognitive estrangement. It works with any word or phrase. Try […]

Schlemazel (n)

Exists in yinyang conjunction with a schlemiel. Schlemiel (n): an awkward and unlucky person for whom things never turn out right. Yiddish. Schlemazel (n) “also schlimazel, “born loser,” 1948, from Yiddish shlim mazel “rotten luck,” from Middle High German slim “crooked” + Hebrew mazzal “luck.” British slang shemozzle “an unhappy plight” (1889) is probably from […]

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