Building a Better Vocabulary

ż Use ÀRZHU\ when you want to describe language that includes

overly ornate images and expressions.

ż Use pretentious when you want to emphasize language that is

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Bloviate (verb)

To talk pompously; to talk at great length in a pompous and boastful manner.

z Bloviate is an Americanism that sounds like what it means. It is

derived from blow, which brings to mind a blowhard who blows

hot air.

z Bloviate has an interesting history, waxing and waning in usage

over time. According to the Online Etymology DictionaryLWV¿UVW

known usage was in the late 1800s, but it was already fading by the

turn of the century. However, in the 1920s, during the presidency

of Warren G. Harding, bloviate experienced a comeback in

reference to political speech. Harding himself was known for his

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comeback during the 2000 election and is used today by the press to

characterize the behavior of many politicians.

Sycophant (noun)

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z Humility (from Latin humilis, “lowly, humble”) is a trait we admire,

but we’ve all also encountered people who are falsely modest or

who praise others insincerely to get something they want. Such

“suck-ups” are sycophants.

z English includes some wonderfully vivid synonyms for sycophants,

including grovelers, EDFNVFUDWFKHUV, ERRWOLFNHUV, toadies, and

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