Vocabulary Mnemonics

September 7, 2024

Matt’s words

Portmanteau (n): a blended word that combines the meaning of two words

Brangelina, hangry, popsicle (soda pop + icicle), snark (snide + remark), chortle (chuckle + snort)

“Cosplay” is a portmanteau meaning “costume” and “play.”

The movie is a portmanteau of Hollywood style and Shakespeare sophistication.

Mnemonic: Let’s create a portmanteau. “Port” is short for “porter” (luggage carrier). “Man-toe” means they have big strong toes from carrying big bags all day. So, portmanteau is a way to describe a big strong foot.

Bromide (n): a trite and unoriginal idea or saying; cliché

I believe everyone should get a fair shot in life; We just need to think outside the box; Just follow your dreams.

We can’t rely on nice-sounding bromides to solve this problem.

Mnemonic: Think of a b-level saying. Aphorisms are a-level; bromides are b-level.

Neologism (n): a new word, usage or expression

Every year, neologisms are created to describe new technology.

Mnemonic: “neo” means “new.” “lo” means “words/speaking,” as in eloquent, loquacious, etc.

Aphorism (n): a pithy observation that contains a general truth; a terse formulation of a truth

Actions speak louder than words. Youth is wasted on the young. All’s fair in love and war

Mnemonic: Aphorism kind of sounds like “affirmation,” which is similar.

Diphthong (n): two different vowel sounds in the same syllable

Monophthongs: fun, bit, ten.

Diphthong examples: Toy, eye, ear, out.

Mnemonic: When someone is wearing thongs (aka flip flops), it makes a two-part clop-clop sound as they walk. This can help you remember that a diphthong has to do with two.

Dr. Mom’s words

Elide (v): to omit or get rid of something; often used in the context of leaving out a sound when speaking

He often says “cuz” instead of “because.”

Sometimes when I was in school I’d tell my parents about the good grade I earned on my math test while conveniently eliding the fact that I did poorly on my science quiz.  

Mnemonic: Elide sounds like “slide.” Think of sliding right past some piece of information or the syllables in a word. 

Gasconade (n):extravagant boasting, bravado

Belle could barely countenance the seemingly nonstop gasconade Gaston engaged in when they spoke.

Mnemonic:  Gaston was the epitome of a “gascon”ader. Or, you can leave out the “on” and think of a “gascade” of annoying braggadocio.

Praeteritio (n): a Latin term referring to a rhetorical device in which the speaker calls attention to a point by seeming to disregard it. Synonyms include paralepsis and apophasis.

Ronald Reagan famously said about George W. Bush in a debate, “I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent‘s youth and inexperience.”

The fact that my friend is a pentapopemptic is irrelevant and needn’t be mentioned. (See episode 25. 😊)

Mnemonic: Break the word into “praeter, it, and yo.” Your friend Praeter likes to prattle on about “it,” but yo, no, it’s not worth mentioning. He’s just trying to throw you off with his praeteritio.

Turgid (adj): swollen and distended; also speech that is tediously pompous, excessively embellished, or bombastic

“…a turgid, fast-moving river…”

We sat through some turgid speeches during the funeral of a largely difficult relative.

Mnemonic: Think of turkey giblets (innards). You eat these delicacies but unfortunately become swollen, turgid from turkey giblets.

Ambrosial (adj): having a delightful and heavenly taste or smell; bringing a sense of divine pleasure and satisfaction

I have fond childhood memories of the ambrosial aroma unfailingly emanating from our kitchen on Sunday afternoons.

Mnemonic: From the Greek, the prefix “a-” means not (atheist, apolitical) and “mbrotos,” meaning mortal. Ambrosia is something not mortal, so something ambrosial is not of this world. Could also think of, “I am with my bros and am sailing off to an island of heavenly tastes and smells.”

BIG sentence: A steady flow of turgid gasconade and manipulative praeteritio filled the arena as one speaker after another elided ambrosial topics and instead employed negative aphorisms, ridiculous neologisms, banal bromides, confusing portmanteau, and repetitive diphthongs to adumbrate a dire future to their unsuspec