Wondrous Words Wednesday
Wondrous Words Wednesday is a weekly meme where we share new (to us) words that we’ve encountered in our reading. Feel free to join in the fun. (Don’t forget to leave a link in your comment if you’re participating.)
All of my words this week come from American Lion by Jon Meacham.
1. obsequious – “In personal conduct be always polite but never obsequious.”
Obsequious means compliant. That sentence came from a letter Andrew Jackson received from his wife.
2. calumny – “Jackson began with a lecture, James Parton wrote, ‘upon the meanness of calumny’.”
Calumny means a misrepresentation intended to harm another’s reputation.
3. solecism – “It would be a perfect solecism to suppose any such power was conferred by the Constitution .”
Solecism has a few different meanings, but I think the one this sentence refers to is something deviating from the proper, normal or accepted order.
What new words have you discovered lately?
Bermudaonion's Weblog 
I love calumny! What a great word. I’m surprised I haven’t seen it before since it does happen quite often in today’s society!
I agree with Julie – I like calumny – it is just unusual! Here are my words.
Solecism is new to me- the others I’ve come across before. I don’t have any new words this week- whew!
Oh I like the word obsequious. I could probably use it on my unsuspecting sister 🙂
Here are my words for this week: http://wordlily.wordpress.com/2009/07/29/words-from-my-reading-729/
I had to look up calumny not long ago, but I had already forgotten its meaning. Glad to see it on your list as a memory jogger!
Here is my list:
http://lisanotes.blogspot.com/2009/07/wondrous-words-wednesdays_29.html
American Lion was a great book and a great contributor to new words for me as well.
My new words are at Joyfully Retired
How is that book so far? I have it on my TBR list. A lot of non-fiction books have some of the most interesting words don’t they. Here are mine:http://shannanlovesbooks.blogspot.com/2009/07/wonderous-words-wednesday_29.html
Good words! Mine are here.
I like solecism!
Wondrous Words Wednesday
Obsequious is one of those words you learn in high school or college, then forget about because you never find a use for it in everyday language. I had forgotten it – and I quite like it. Thank you for reminding me!
Helen
Straight From Hel
Interesting words. Thank you for visiting my first Wondrous Words post:
http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/2009/07/waiting-on-wednesday-july-29.html
My first time playing!
Those are all new to me!
http://mercysnumber1fan.blogspot.com/2009/07/wonderous-words-wednesday-8.html
Solecism is a new one for me, too. I only have one on my list this week, and it’s from a kids book. I’m not sure what that says about my reading.
These are certainly some great words…thanks for sharing them.
I’ve heard of the first word but not the other two. Interesting.
This is a great meme! Obsequious and calumny are two wonderful words! I really like the lesson in the sentence obsequious comes from, it’s very much worth remembering and applying in everyday life!
If I don’t manage to join with you today I will be back next Wednesday!
Amy
I can’t even pronounce the first word :-S
Since I read a lot of books in English and doesn’t speak English as a native language, there are many new words for me from time to time. Mostly I can figure out the meaning from context though.
I discovered a new word this week – in Danish though – but here is it’s English equivalent:
Solipsism – it is a philosophical idea, that one’s own mind is all that exists.
I’m scared 😉 What if that is all there is?
I like “calumny” – what a great word! As always, such an interesting list, Kathy.
I heard the first two but sure wouldn’t have known the meanings.
obsequious is one of my favorite words ever!
I’ve heard obsequious before but didn’t know what it meant!
I’ve posted my words a day late this week but I really didn’t want to miss it http://bookatopia.blogspot.com/2009/07/wondrous-words-wednesday-july-29-2009.html.
“Calumny” is new to me! Now, if only I can remember it when playing Scrabble!
This is a great meme idea! I’m going to start doing this one as well (if I can remember to write the words down as I go, haha)