Wednesday's Words (3)

cajole\kuh-JOHL\ , transitive verb;

1.To persuade with flattery, repeated appeals, or soothing words; to coax

 

Origin:

Cajole derives from Early Modern French cajoler, originally, "to chatter like a bird in a cage, to sing; hence, to amuse with idle talk, to flatter," from Old French gaiole, jaiole, "a cage," from Medieval Latin caveola, "a small cage," from Latin cavea, "an enclosure, a den for animals, a bird cage," from cavus, "hollow." It is related to cave, cage and jail (British gaol).

 

Quote:

 

One of Virgil's great accomplishments was his ability to charm, cajole, weasel people out of their bad moods, especially when their bads moods inconvenienced him.

-- Anthony Tommasini, Virgil Thomson: Composer on the Aisle

Wednesday's Words

Our word for today is

polemic  [puh-lem-ik]
n.


A controversial argument, especially one refuting or attacking a specific opinion or doctrine.
A person engaged in or inclined to controversy, argument, or refutation.



adj. also po·lem·i·cal (-ĭ-kəl)

Of or relating to a controversy, argument, or refutation.



"The worst offense that can be committed by a polemic is to stigmatize those who hold a contrary opinion as bad and immoral men." [John Stuart Mill, 1806-73].

Wednesday's Words

Learning new things keeps our brain active and hey maybe even a bit wise as well! Ever been reading along and come upon a word that makes ya stop and say......just what the heck is that?  Todays word is one that hit me like that so let's begin our Wednesday with

skulduggery  [skuhl-duhg-uh-ree] –noun, plural -geries.

1. dishonorable proceedings; mean dishonesty or trickery: bribery, graft, and other such skulduggery.


2. an instance of dishonest or deceitful behavior; trick.


***Quote;

It is discouraging how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.
Noel Coward