Vocabulary Mnemonics

May 10, 2025

Matt’s words

Ellipsis (n): the omission of parts of a word or sentence, represented by three dots/periods in a row

Without an ellipsis: Matt and Mom recorded a podcast in the office today.

With an ellipsis: Matt and Mom recorded a podcast…today.

Mnemonic: You can hear “eclipse” in the word, and what an eclipse does is blocks out the sun or the moon. An ellipsis blocks out part of a word or sentence.

Interregum (n): the period of time between two rulers; any period when an entity has no ruler or executive

After the king was murdered on his throne, there was a two-year interregnum until a new king was appointed.

When it comes to desserts, I’m (Matt) an abstemious eater. (He’s a salty snacks guy.)

Mnemonic: “Inter” means between. “Regnum” means reign. Put together, it’s the time between the reign of rulers. Also, “Regnum” sounds like “Reagan,” which can make you think of a ruler/leader of a country.

Galvanize (v): to stimulate or shock with an electric current; figuratively, to rouse to awareness or action

The 9-11 terrorist attacks galvanized the American public to action.

Mnemonic: When you hear “galvanize,” you might hear “Alvin” inside it, and “eyes.” On Alvin and the Chipmunks, the dad, Dave, is constantly getting mad at Alvin. He yells, “Alvin!!!” and his eyes get big. Dave is being galvanized or “Alvin-ized.”

Yearling (n): being between one and two years old

Farmer Bill loved all his livestock, but his favorite was his little yearling pig, who just had its first birthday.

Mnemonic: The word “year” is in there. It’s something that is a year old.

Zeitgeist (n): the prevailing mood or attitude of a given time; literally, “the spirit of the time”

It seems strange to us now, but in the days of Old West, zeitgeist was to have a duel with someone in order to solve a dispute. Now the zeitgeist is to take them to court.

Mnemonic: Originally a German word, “zeit” means “time” and “geist” means “spirit.”

Dr. Mom’s words

Junket (n): a trip taken by an official and paid for with public funds; a party, banquet, or outing

The thought of taking junkets to Hawaii, Europe, and Africa was what ultimately lured the ambitious polysci major to run for Congress.

Mnemonic: “Junkus” in Latin means “twig.” So think of a twig being what you make a basket with. The basket contains foods to eat at a feast. So the politician is on a junket to Hawaii eating food out of baskets on the beach.

Mercurial (adj): changeable or volatile

Shakespeare aptly named Romeo’s close friend “Mercutio” due to his quick-witted, temperamental, capricious nature.

Mnemonic: The silver-white element mercury is changeable. In a thermometer, the mercury moves/changes constantly.

Libidinous (adj): characterized by lust; lewd, lascivious

When the professor developed a reputation for being libidinous, it was the beginning of the end for him professionally.

Mnemonic: You see “libido” in the middle of the word, which has to do with sexual desire. Also, “liberties” begins with “lib,” so think of someone taking inappropriate “liberties,” perhaps sexually, with another person.

Irascible (adj): easily provoked to anger; very irritable

The irascible grandfather’s family insisted that he at least make an effort to stay calm, especially during holiday parties.

Mnemonic: The “ras” in the word makes you think of “rascal.” This would be a person who is hard to get along with, a challenge to be around. They might have a “ras”py voice, too, and be grumpy.

Philately (n): stamp collecting

Mom has collections of puppets, hats, and bookmarks, but she can’t imagine taking on philately.

Mnemonic: From the Greek, “phil” means the love of something. Also, in ancient Greece, the person who received a letter didn’t have to pay for it if it had a stamp on it. There woud be a tax-exemption (“ateleia”). For this reason, people came to love stamps.

COLOSSAL COMPILATION:

Now that Vocabulary Mnemonics is a yearling podcast, Matt and Mom suggest you (1) determine not to be irascible, even with your closest family member, (2) galvanize yourself to use a new word every day, (3) not let mercurial tendencies pull you from good vocabulary study habits, and (4) let the zeitgeist be junkets and philately.