Last time it was "vapulate"...

...today, the word of the day is "elisor."

Word of the Day.

"Tragedy" means "Goat Song."

Etymology

The word τραγῳδία (tragoidia), from which the word "tragedy" is derived, is a portmanteau of two Greek words: τράγος (tragos) or "goat" and ᾠδή (ode) meaning "song", from ἀείδειν (aeidein), "to sing".^[1] This etymology indicates a link with the practices of the ancient Dionysian cults. It is impossible, however, to know with certainty how these fertility rituals became the basis for tragedy and comedy. ^[2]

Word of the Day.

Demarche.

"No government could issue an informal demarche of such importance to someone not in the acknoweledged government of Germany, but Halifax asked Churchill to send a letter."

Hitler's Spy Chief, Richard Bassett, p. 154.

A démarche ( /deɪˈmɑrʃ/; from the French word whose literal meaning is "gait")[1] has come to refer either to

1.a line of action; move; countermove; maneuver, esp. in diplomatic relations,[2][3] or

2.formal diplomatic representation of the official position, views, or wishes on a given subject from one government to another government or intergovernmental organization.

Diplomatic démarches are delivered to the appropriate official of the government or organization. Démarches generally seek to persuade, inform, or gather information from a foreign government. Governments may also use a démarche to protest or object to actions by a foreign government. Informally, the word is sometimes used as a verb to describe making or receiving such correspondence.

Word of the Day.

Brûlé

"The French and British were caught off guard and handsomely brûlé but the reaction, in the form of the Stresa Front, offered little impediment to Germany's plans, though the resulting international hullabaloo afforded Canaris an opportunity, on 29 March, to dictate a directive rather in the style of Nicolai..."

Hitler's Spy Chief, Richard Bassett, p. 117.

Definition - burnt.

brûlé, adj(=qui a brûlé)
[bois, déchets] burnt
brûlé par le soleil [champs, paysages, terres] burnt
la politique de la terre brûlée burnt earth policy
brûlé vif burnt alive
brûlée vive burnt alive
[espion] blown
[homme politique] discredited

Which is why creme brûlé is "burnt cream."

Word of the day.

Bespoke - as in a "bespoke suit."

I'll confess that I knew it had nothing to do with " to speak," but a part of me really thought it did have something to do with "to speak."

It is better to light a single candle than curse the dark, so I looked it up, and the answer is....

"U.K. made to order: made to a customer's specifications

"a bespoke suit."

Huh? 

 

Well, maybe it does have something to do with "to speak" in the sense that "to order" involves "to speak."

 

According to the online etymology dictionary -

 

bespoke

"custom or custom-made, made to order," of goods, as distinguished from ready-made, 1755, the same sense found earlier in bespoken (c.1600), pp. of bespeak, in a sense of "to speak for, to arrange beforehand," a sense attested in bespeak from 1580s. Now usually of tailored suits.

Today's exercise in OCD obscurantism comes from this Ann Althouse post on the MSM's trashing of Callista's Gingrich's style, as in -

The cat claws are out for Callista, whose own hyper-manicured claws "are folded neatly over her lap, a posture she frequently assumes." She "assumes her signature rigid stance." If she's in any position, it is — in Daily Beast talk — a position she assumes. Because she's just that kind of person, now, isn't she? So entitled.

"From her perfectly coiffed bob to her bespoke power suits, Callista Gingrich possesses a style that evokes a woman who wants to mirror her husband’s wealth and power — and lacks any singularity." She assumes her rigid position — her stance — next to the man, mirroring him, wearing a version of his suit, lacking any personality of her own. Lacking any "singularity." Are you kidding? She's the most distinctive-looking person on the political scene! The bright colors, the sharp edges, the signature hair.