Make Your Point > Archived Issues > BEN TROVATO

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explore the archives: Today's "ben trovato" is the sophisticated, adjectival version of "truthiness," the term invented by Stephen Colbert to describe wrong information that nevertheless feels true (and often gives you good feelings). We borrowed this term from Italian, where it appears in the phrase "Se non è vero, è molto ben trovato," meaning, "If it is not true, it is a happy invention." We've only had one other Italian borrowing so far: im____lio, meaning "an embroilment," or "an embarrassing, complicated social situation." Could you recall it? make your point with... "BEN TROVATO" Italian for "well found," ben trovato means "made up, but still appropriate." In other words, ben trovato stories have a ring of truth to them and are useful for some purpose, but they're not actually true. Pronunciation: bin truh VOT oh 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 ben trovato anecdote." 2. After a linking verb, as in "The anecdote was ben trovato.") Other forms: none A note on roots: Since "ben trovato" is probably a new one for many of us, let's take a look at how the roots can help you remember what it means. That "ben" is the same one in other words meaning "good" or "well," like in "beneficial." And "trovato," Italian for "found," is related to "trove," as in "treasure trove:" something you find. These connections can you help you remember that "ben trovato" means "well found," or more fully, "appropriately invented." How to use it: Talk about ben trovato fables and urban legends, ben trovato news stories, ben trovato anecdotes and personal stories, ben trovato explanations, ben trovato historical accounts, ben trovato quotes and memes, and so on. You can say that some fact or tale has a ben trovato character or a ben trovato flavor to it, or say that some story was just ben trovato. Keep in mind that it's an adjective: like you'd do with its literal translation, "well found," be sure to put "ben trovato" either right before a noun, as in "ben trovato story," or after a linking verb, as in "the story was ben trovato." And notice how I keep putting it in italics? Even though it's earned its place in English dictionaries, "ben trovato" is still treated as a foreign term. examples: It's kind of weird how we feed kids all these ben trovato tales of George Washington's cherry tree and Christopher Columbus's heroism. "Ben Trovato" sounds like someone's name, doesn't it? Robert Tracinski, writing for TheFederalist.com, agrees: he argues in this article that the year 2014 was dominated by ben trovato news stories. We believed what we wanted to, Tracinsky implies, because the stories fed into our values and expectations. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "ben trovato" means when you can explain it without saying "truthy" or "believable but wrong." try it out: Think of a story or fact that you like so much that you don't even care whether it's true or not, and fill in the blanks: "Whether true or ben trovato, (the idea that / the story about) _____ (inspires me / fascinates me / makes me laugh)." Example: "Whether true or ben trovato, the story about William Faulkner doing all his writing against the back of an upturned wheelbarrow fascinates me." 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. Well-Named Creatures: Some names for animals and other creatures define themselves instantly or after a brief moment’s thought: anteater, grasshopper, hummingbird, seahorse, octopus (eight-foot). But other names deserve some exploration; they hold hidden clues about what the animals look like or what they do. And sometimes the names reveal how baffled people were when they first caught a glimpse of the creatures and tried to name them. This month, I’ll give you the literal meaning of a creature's name, and you come up with what it is. Answers will appear in alphabetical order this month. (Oh, and the answers might be animals, birds, insects, or even extinct creatures.) Enjoy! From yesterday: A "little armored" (creature) is an a________. Answer: This is an armadillo, whose name comes from the diminutive form of Spanish armado, meaning "armored." Try this one today: An "arm lizard" is a b________. review today's word: 1. One opposite of BEN TROVATO is A. GILT-EDGED B. ILL-CONTRIVED C. WELL-KNIT 2. If not completely _____, the rumors about his strange upbringing are at least ben trovato. A. unsettling B. characteristic C. factual Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. B 2. C