{"id":829,"date":"2022-05-07T13:34:04","date_gmt":"2022-05-07T18:34:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/?p=829"},"modified":"2022-05-07T13:40:52","modified_gmt":"2022-05-07T18:40:52","slug":"word-of-the-week-82-minions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/?p=829","title":{"rendered":"W<\/strong>ORD OF THE <\/strong>W<\/strong>EEK <\/strong>#82 \u2013 <\/a>minion<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cThe politician is accused of pandering to his minions<\/strong>\u201d <\/em> Letter to the Editor \u2013 Fort Myers News Press<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minion or minions is a noun defined as a follower or underling of a powerful person, especially a servile or unimportant one. A subordinate or petty official.  \u201cHe\u2019s one of the boss\u2019 minions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is pronounced just as you would expect<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another recent example: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat only one visionary can bring a game into this world and everyone else that works on it is some kind of <\/em>minion<\/strong><\/em>.<\/em><\/strong>\u201d <\/em> <\/em>Forbes<\/em>, 15 Oct. 2021<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think of minion as being a pejorative word (Word of the Week #36), having a negative connotation.  Does anyone want to be described as a minion?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the opening sentence\u00a0minions is meant to denigrate the politician\u2019s supporters.\u00a0 It is juvenile name-calling that our local paper chose to print.\u00a0 The correct word should have been supporters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a great word for the fabulous Word of the Week.  It is simple and easy to pronounce.  Proper use of it will make you appear intelligent (even if you are not), but not pretentious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more and to hear the correct pronunciation go to:  https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/minion<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previous \u201cWord of the Week\u201d #40 revisited<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

immutable \u2013 unchangeable \u2013 \u201cDo not make the mistake of assuming that public opinion is immutable. \u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quote of the Week\u2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI love a dog.\u00a0 He does nothing for political purposes.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Will Rogers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Image from WSJ<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heart Warmer of the Week…..<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friends from 75 years ago and today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And finally, the answer to your lost socks\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And finally and most importantly….Happy Mother\u2019s Day to all you wonderful mothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Until next Saturday,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gramps<\/p>\n\n\n\n

82 weeks of great words<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 \u2013\u00a0 \u00a0exacerbate \u2013 to make worse\u00a0\u201cYour input just exacerbates an already difficult situation.\u201d<\/em>
2-\u00a0\u00a0 assuage \u2013 to make a situation or feeling less intense.\u00a0\u201cI pray our Heavenly Father may assuage you of the anguish of your grief.\u201d<\/em>
3 \u2013\u00a0 \u00a0force majeure\u2019 \u2013\u00a0\u00a0unforeseeable circumstance that prevents someone from fulfilling a contract.\u00a0\u201cThe tenant will not be required to pay rent due to the force majeure\u2019 clause.<\/em>
4 \u2013\u00a0 \u00a0sanguine\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/a>optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation.\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m trying to be\u00a0sanguine\u00a0about this, but I see a major roadblock\u201d<\/em>
5 \u2013\u00a0 \u00a0segue \u2013 (seg way)\u00a0proceed to what follows without pause.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cShe has the skill to easily\u00a0segue from political conversations into subjects less controversial.\u201d<\/em>
6 \u2013\u00a0 \u00a0bifurcate \u2013\u00a0to cause to divide into two branches or parts. \u201cWe have decided to bifurcate this large project.\u201d<\/em>
7 \u2013\u00a0 \u00a0indolent \u2013\u00a0habitually lazy \u2013\u00a0\u201cHis failure in life may stem from his indolent ways as a youth\u201d.<\/em>
8 \u2013\u00a0 \u00a0ameliorate \u2013\u00a0to make better or more tolerable\u00a0\u2013\u00a0\u00a0\u201cthis drug should ameliorate your pain\u201d<\/em>
9\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0truncate \u2013 to shorten by or as if by cutting off \u2013\u00a0\u201cA truncated version of this report is on the web.\u201d<\/em>
10 \u2013 nascent \u2013 coming or having recently come into existence\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHis nascent idea for a business turned into a goldmine\u201d<\/em>
11 \u2013 b\u00e9chamel \u2013 a rich white sauce \u2013\u00a0\u201cHe made a lump-free b\u00e9chamel for her, and, in return, she gave him her love.\u201d<\/em>
12 \u2013 anarchy \u2013\u00a0 absence of government \u2013\u00a0\u201cThe revolution began when anarchy took root in just one city\u201d.<\/em>
13 \u2013 rhetorical question \u2013 a question not intended to require an answer.\u00a0\u201cIs this a beautiful day or what?\u201d<\/em>
14 \u2013 milieu \u2013\u00a0the physical or social setting in which something occurs or develops.-\u00a0\u201cHis discipline is a result of growing up as part of the military milieu\u201d
15 \u2013 nadir \u2013 the lowest point \u2013 \u201cThe stock market reached its current nadir in March\u201d<\/em>
16 \u2013 black swan event \u2013 comes as a surprise and has a major effect.\u00a0\u201cThis pandemic is considered by many to be a black swan event.\u201d<\/em>
17 \u2013 myopic \u2013\u00a0narrow in perspective and without concern for broader implications.\u00a0 \u201cYour myopic view of this project is disturbing\u201d.<\/em>
18 \u2013 quixotic \u2013\u00a0foolishly impractical\u00a0especially in the pursuit of ideals \u2013\u00a0\u201cHis quixotic pursuit for her affection was quite simply foolish<\/em>
19 \u2013 prescience \u2013\u00a0human anticipation of the course of events \u2013 foresight.\u00a0 \u201cHis intuitive prescience helped to make him a success\u201d<\/em>
20 \u2013 laconic and laconic riposte \u2013 use of a minimum of words, and a short clever response to an insult or challenge. In response to a demand to immediately surrender the general sent back the following:\u00a0\u201cNuts\u201d<\/em>
21 \u2013 protean \u2013 ability to change, versatile.\u00a0 \u201cThe coronavirus is protean in its ability to either make you sick or not.\u201d<\/em>
22 \u2013 ephemeral \u2013 lasting a very short time or perhaps only one day.\u00a0\u201cCuster was chasing an ephemeral Indian city.\u201d<\/em>
23 \u2013 catch-22 \u2013\u00a0a dilemma or difficult\u00a0circumstance from which there is no escape because of mutually conflicting or dependent conditions.\u00a0 From the novel \u201cCatch-22\u201d.
24 \u2013 arrogate \u2013\u00a0to take or claim something without justification.\u00a0\u201cIn order to accomplish his dream he arrogated to himself controversial powers\u201d.<\/em>
25 \u2013 obtuse \u2013 difficult to understand, lacking intellect.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe responses to his remarks this week were even more obtuse.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>
26 \u2013\u00a0purloin \u2013\u00a0to appropriate wrongfully (steal), often pertaining to a theft that is a breach of trust.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhen she opened her new office she purloined one of my listings\u201d.<\/em>
27 \u2013 salience \u2013\u00a0the quality of being particularly\u00a0noticeable\u00a0or important.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIt is not clear that raising the electoral salience of the Supreme Court will work to the president\u2019s advantage.<\/em>
28 \u2013 confabulate \u2013 to talk normally or to hold a discussion.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHe likes to confabulate.\u201d<\/em>
29 \u2013 animus \u2013 a usually prejudiced and often spiteful or malevolent ill will.\u00a0\u201cI have no animus or agenda for the Affordable Care Act.\u201d<\/em>
30 \u2013 puerile \u2013 to act or communicate in a juvenile, silly or childish manner.\u00a0\u201cHis puerile ways are giving a poor impression at his job interviews\u201d.<\/em>
31 \u2013 regnant \u2013 having the greatest influence \u2013\u00a0\u201cThe regnant belief\u201d.<\/em>
32 \u2013 roil \u2013 to be agitated or chaotic \u2013\u00a0\u201cthe politics of slavery was roiling the United States\u201d.<\/em>
33 \u2013 sonder \u2013 The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.
34 \u2013 inculcate \u2013 To instill or teach someone an attitude, idea, or habit by persistent instruction.\u00a0\u201cThey will try to inculcate you with a respect for culture.\u201d<\/em>
35 \u2013 mendacity \u2013 untruthfulness, lying.\u00a0\u201cHe blew the whistle on the mendacity of the politician.\u201d<\/em>
36 \u2013 pejorative \u2013 Expressing contempt or disapproval.\u00a0 Having negative connotations.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cPermissiveness is often used a pejorative term\u201d.<\/em>
37 \u2013 dystopian \u2013 A world or society in which people lead wretched, dehumanized fearful lives, often associated with a totalitarian government or an environmentally degraded world. \u201cThe dystopian future of a society bereft of reason\u201d.
38 \u2013 Occam\u2019s razor \u2013 The simplest answer may be the preferred answer.
39 \u2013 execrate or execrable \u2013 very bad \u2013\u00a0\u201cThe execrable hotel food.\u201d<\/em>
40 \u2013 immutable \u2013 unchangeable \u2013\u00a0\u201cDo not make the mistake of assuming that public opinion is immutable.\u00a0\u201d\u00a0<\/em>
41 \u2013 prurient \u2013 having or encouraging an excessive or unwholesome interest in matters of sex.\u00a0\u201cShe\u2019d been the subject of much prurient curiosity\u201d.<\/em>
42 \u2013 obsequious \u2013 exhibiting fawning attentiveness. Exaggerated deference of manner.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWaiters who are obsequious in the presence of celebrities.\u201d<\/em>
43 \u2013 iconoclast \u2013\u00a0 a person who attacks settled beliefs or institutions \u201cHe was a prolific writer with a reputation for iconoclastic insight and irreverent prose.\u201d<\/em>
44 \u2013 oblique \u2013 something not parallel nor at a right angle to a specified or implied line \u2013 slanting.\u00a0\u201cWe sat on the settee oblique to the fireplace.<\/em>\u201d Or something done in an indirect way such as\u00a0\u201cHe issued an oblique attack on the president\u201d.<\/em>
45 \u2013 profligate \u2013 wasteful \u2013 wildly extravagant.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHe has always been a profligate spender, which is why he is broke.\u201d<\/em>
46 \u2013 raconteur \u2013 a good teller of stories.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWe always invite her to dinner because she is a fine raconteur\u201d.<\/em>
47 \u2013 taciturn \u2013 a person who is reserved or uncommunicative in speech\u2026saying little.\u00a0 It usually connotes unsociability.\u00a0\u201cNothing bothered the\u00a0taciturn\u00a0Hogan more that excessive praise.\u201d<\/em>
48 \u2013 fungible \u2013 capable of mutual substitution: interchangeable.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe court\u2019s postulate is that male and female jurors must be regarded as\u00a0fungible.\u201d<\/em>
49 \u2013 filibuster \u2013 The use of tactics in an attempt to delay or prevent action especially in a legislative assembly. This currently requires a 60 vote Senate majority.\u00a0\u201cThey stopped the bill from coming to a vote by the use of a filibuster\u201d.<\/em>
50 \u2013 hegemony \u2013 preponderant influence or authority over others: Domination.\u00a0\u201cThey battled for hegemony in Asia.\u201d<\/em>
51 \u2013 de facto \u2013 being such in effect though not formally recognized or contrary to established law \u201ca de facto state of war\u201d\u00a0<\/em>for a war that has not been officially declared.
52 \u2013 blockchain \u2013 an open, distributed leger that can record transactions between two parties efficiently and in a verifiable and permanent way.
53 \u2013 b\u00eate noire \u2013 A person or thing one particularly dislikes or is strongly detested.\u00a0\u201cThe abuse of women was a b\u00eate noire for Lincoln.\u201d<\/em>
54 \u2013 evince -to constitute outward evidence of\u2026.to display clearly: reveal.\u00a0\u201cHe evinced a depraved mind.\u201d<\/em>
55 \u2013 virago \u2013 a loud overbearing woman.\u00a0 Domineering, violent, or bad tempered.\u00a0\u201cDemocrats, on the other hand, saw Jessie as a Republican virago.\u201d<\/em>
56 \u2013 metonym \u2013 \u00a0a name, or expression used as a substitute for something else with which it is closely associated. \u201cWashington\u00a0is a metonym for the federal government of the US.\u201d<\/em>
57 \u2013 felicitous is an adjective defined as\u00a0\u00a0well chosen or suited to the circumstances such as\u00a0\u201ca felicitous phrase\u201d.<\/em>
58 \u2013 ennui \u2013 a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement.\u00a0\u201cHe succumbed to ennui and despair\u201d<\/em>
59 \u2013 imprimatur \u2013 a noun meaning sanction or approval. \u201cHe gave the book his imprimatur.\u201d<\/em>
60 \u2013 fiat \u2013 A command or act of will that creates something without further effort.\u00a0 An authoritative determination. \u201cHe runs the company by fiat.\u201d<\/em>
61\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 salient\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/em>meaning most notable or important.\u00a0 Of notable significance.\u00a0\u201cIt succinctly covered all the salient point of the case.\u201d<\/em>
62 \u2013<\/em>\u00a0meme \u2013 an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe band encouraged fans to make\u00a0memes to advertise the U.S. release of their EP.\u201d<\/em>
63 \u2013\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>delectation\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/em>delight or enjoyment.\u00a0\u201cHere are some chocolates for your delectation.\u201d<\/em>
64 \u2013 feckless \u2013 acting in an irresponsible, weak, or cowardly manner. Inept, incompetent. \u201cfeckless leadership.\u201d<\/em>
65 \u2013 Ignominious \u2013 Deserving or causing public disgrace or shame. despicable,\u00a0\u201cHis was an ignominious withdrawal.\u201d<\/em>
66 \u2013 mollify \u2013 to soothe in temper or disposition.\u00a0\u201c<\/em>He mollified his staff with promises of future raises.\u201d
67 \u2013 prosaic \u2013 dull, unimaginative, commonplace.\u00a0\u201cprosaic advice.\u201d<\/em>
68 \u2013 diaspora \u2013 a noun meaning the dispersion of any people from their original homeland. \u201cA diaspora of thousands of Afghans has arrived in the United States.\u201d<\/em>
69 \u2013 t\u00eate-\u00e0-t\u00eate \u2013 a private conversation between two people.\u00a0\u201cThey had a t\u00eate-\u00e0-t\u00eate last night over a quiet dinner.<\/em>\u201c
70 \u2013 fatuous \u2013 silly and pointless. inanely foolish,\u00a0\u201cA fatuous comment.\u201d<\/em>
71 \u2013 ineffable \u2013 indescribable.\u00a0\u201cineffable joy\u201d<\/em>
72 \u2013 putative -generally considered or reputed to be.\u00a0 Assumed to exist or to have existed.\u00a0\u201cHis putative conversation had a big impact on the events of my life.\u201d<\/em>
73 \u2013 ineluctable \u2013 unable to be resisted or avoided.\u00a0 inescapable.\u00a0 \u201cthe ineluctable facts of history.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>
74 \u2013 redolent \u2013 exuding fragrance, aromatic, scented. \u201cThe air is redolent of seaweed.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 or evocative, suggestive. strongly reminiscent of.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cnames\u00a0redolent of history and tradition.\u201d<\/em>
75 \u2013 excoriate \u2013 a verb that means to censure or severely criticize.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe papers that had been excoriating him were now lauding him.\u201d<\/em>
76 \u2013 straw-man \u2013 an intentionally misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent\u2019s real argument. A weak or imaginary opposition (such as an argument or adversary) set up only to be easily confuted.
77 \u2013 \u00e9lan or elan \u2013 a noun defined as vigorous spirit or enthusiasm. style, energy.\u00a0\u201cBig and muscular, he exuded a natural elan.\u201d<\/em>
78 \u2013 repartee \u2013 a conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies, amusing. light sparring with words.\u201c He had a quick mind and a splendid gift for repartee.\u201d<\/em>
79 \u2013 louche is an adjective meaning disreputable or sordid often in a rakish or appealing way.\u00a0\u201cThe louche world of the theater.\u201d<\/em>
80 \u2013 transgender \u2013 an adjective meaning of, relating to, or being a person whose\u00a0gender identity\u00a0differs from the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth.\u00a0\u201cA transgender American\u201d<\/em>.
81 \u2013 shambolic \u2013 an adjective meaning obviously chaotic, disorganized, confused or mismanaged.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe department\u2019s shambolic accounting department.\u201d<\/em>
82 – minion – a noun defined as a follower or underling of a powerful person, especially a servile or unimportant one. A subordinate or petty official.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s one of the boss\u2019 minions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cThe politician is accused of pandering to his minions\u201d  Letter to the Editor \u2013 Fort Myers News Press Minion or minions is a noun defined as a follower or underling of a powerful person, especially a servile or unimportant one. A subordinate or petty official.  \u201cHe\u2019s one of the boss\u2019 minions.\u201d It is pronounced just … Continue reading W<\/strong>ORD OF THE <\/strong>W<\/strong>EEK <\/strong>#82 \u2013 <\/a>minion<\/strong><\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/829"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=829"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/829\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":840,"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/829\/revisions\/840"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=829"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=829"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordofweek.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=829"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}