Make Your Point > Archived Issues > BANAUSIC

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connect today's word to others: Today's word, banausic, sounds snobby and has a terribly snobby meaning. It was coined in 1845 by a terribly snobby politician, George Smythe, who, incidentally, was later ruined by gossip and killed in a duel. To avoid being judgmental or bom____ic--that is, to avoid showing off with overly fancy words--we have to be careful with words like banausic. The same goes for other snobby-sounding words for snobby ideas, like these: 1. French for "stupidity," a bê___e is a stupid mistake or a foolish comment. 2. French for "high," ha___ur is someone's attitude of acting like she's better than everyone else. 3. Greek for "the many," the h__ p___oi are all the regular, common, low-class people (as opposed to high-class people). Careful with words this snooty, or you'll end up in a duel. :) (To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.) make your point with... "BANAUSIC" This word is Greek for "mechanical." Banausic things are common, functional, and NOT intellectual. Pronunciation: buh NOZ ick Part of speech: Adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late." They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in "a banausic thing." 2. After a linking verb, as in "It was banausic.") Other forms: none How to use it: It's an insult to call something banausic. The word suggests that there's something low-class, unworthy, or even vulgar about working with your muscles (instead of with your mind), or about working to keep yourself fed and housed (instead of to debate or philosophize).  Because words like "banausic" are so often used to pass judgment and put people down, I hesitate to feature them at all. But I think "banausic" is worth knowing. It's rare; it's got a lofty, scholarly tone; and it can really sting, which is what you need a word to do, sometimes. Plus, you wouldn't want your work to be called "banausic" and have no idea what it means, right? So let's know it. When you need to be formal, and when you need to emphasize something's mundane lowliness, then talk about banausic trades, banausic jobs and careers and occupations, banausic employment, banausic instincts and lifestyles, and maybe banausic songs, shows, movies, etc. examples: She sniffs and turns away on her high heels, carrying her toddler, brushing off the advice from the daycare teachers and dismissing them as banausic grunts.  Working behind the photo counter paid my bills and kept me in college; some days there I felt that my endless cycle of tasks was degrading and banausic; other days, I was grateful for the job. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "banausic" means when you can explain it without saying "unrefined" or "pedestrian." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "(Someone) hasn't grasped the real value of occupations that strike (him/her) as banausic, like _____." Example: "He hasn't grasped the real value of occupations that strike (him/her) as banausic, like truck driving." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. This month, see if you can associate a snippet of song lyrics with a word we’ve studied before. For example, here's Dave Matthews: "Wasting time, let the hours roll by doing nothing for the fun. A little taste of the good life." Those lyrics call to mind the word LOTUS-EATING. From our previous issue:  In "Something About The Way You Look Tonight," Elton John sings: "And I can't explain But it's something about the way you look tonight Takes my breath away It's that feeling I get about you, deep inside And I can't describe But it's something about the way you look tonight." Do those lyrics call to mind the term HAUTEUR, JUSTE MILIEU, or JE NE SAIS QUOI? Why? Answer: JE NE SAIS QUOI. This is French for "I don't know what," and it describes any good quality that's difficult to express in words. Try this last one today: In "Sheezus," Lily Allen sings: "I am born again, now run along and tell All your friends to come and join us. Give yourselves to me, I am your leader. Let me be Sheezus. Let me be Sheezus." Do those lyrics call to mind the word DECALOGUE, MESSIANIC, or SCIOLISM? Why? review today's word: 1. One opposite of BANAUSIC is A. ACERBIC. B. BATHETIC. C. CEREBRAL. 2. They've never _____ and can't understand our point of view, can't comprehend the woes of our banausic little lives. A. been persecuted B. gotten their hands dirty  C. had anything handed to them Answers are below. a final word: Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each weekday morning by Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. From Liesl's blog:    36 ways to study words.    Why we forget words, & how to remember them.    How to use sophisticated words without being awkward. To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. B