Exploring New Words and Phrases: The Jones and Partisan Divides
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Chapter 1: The Word Collector Series
This installment continues the exploration of intriguing words and phrases gathered during literary journeys, aimed at intriguing, confusing, and amusing readers. Some of these terms may already be familiar to you, allowing you to delight in my ignorance, which is a resource yet to be fully utilized.
The initial selections are sourced from Peter Turchin's “End Times — Elites, Counter-elites, and the Path of Political Disintegration,” a book I am navigating with a dictionary in hand.
Section 1.1: Vocabulary from "End Times"
- Syncretise: This verb refers to the effort to merge or harmonize differing beliefs, particularly in religion or culture.
- Partisan acrimony: A phrase that aptly captures the distressing reality of U.S. politics or the divisions seen in the UK's Brexit debate.
- RINO: An acronym derogatorily referring to a "Republican in name only," likely known to many American readers.
- Summa cum laude: A Latin term denoting the highest academic honors.
- De jure: Meaning "by right" or "legally entitled."
- Cui bono: A principle suggesting that responsibility for an action often lies with those who benefit from it.
- Mamluk: Refers to members of slave armies in the Abbasid era who later gained political power.
- Plutocracy: A term for governance by the wealthy, describing a society ruled by an elite class due to their affluence.
- Littoral: This adjective pertains to regions near the sea or lake shores, while as a noun, it describes the area along a shore.
Section 1.2: Understanding American Expressions
One expression that recently caught my attention is "to have the jones" for something, which I encountered in an article from the "Observer." This American slang refers to a strong craving or desire, often linked to addiction. For instance, one might say, "I’m really jonesing for some ice cream," or "You’re jonesing for caffeine since you usually have three cups a day." The term "jones" dates back to the early 1900s, originally referring to heroin addicts in New York.
Subsection 1.2.1: The Concept of "Auteur"
The term "auteur," derived from French meaning "author," appeared in a Guardian article. Its use seems somewhat pretentious, but it highlights the author's unique influence in filmmaking.
Subsection 1.2.2: Exploring Variable Change Theory
While watching the film "21," I encountered the term "variable change theory," related to a statistical puzzle known as the Monty Hall Problem. In this puzzle, you choose one of three doors hiding either a car or two goats. When one door revealing a goat is opened, you're faced with the choice to stick with your initial pick or switch to another door. Surprisingly, switching increases your chances of winning.
Host Doesn't Know What to Say After Van Jones Admits Dark Truth About Democrats: In this video, the host struggles to respond after Van Jones reveals a troubling truth regarding the Democratic party, showcasing the deep divisions and challenges within modern political discourse.
NICD After a Decade: Challenges and Opportunities for Civil Discourse: This video discusses the state of civil discourse a decade after the NICD's establishment, addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for constructive dialogue in society.
Chapter 2: Additional Discoveries
- Rove: A copper nail used in riveting, mentioned in a Facebook post about boat renovation.
- Mie scattering: This term refers to the scattering of light by particles in the atmosphere, often discussed in the context of environmental science.
- "Waterstones Dad": A recent demographic label for a certain type of reader, likened to "Mondeo Man." This individual is typically a Boomer, enjoys reading hardback books on meta-theories, and earns a substantial income while engaging in social issues without extreme views.
I hope you found this collection enjoyable. Feel free to share any new words or phrases you’ve come across in the comments.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read this.
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