Make Your Point > Archived Issues > DIATRIBE

Send Make Your Point issues straight to your inbox.

connect today's word to others: A diatribe is a tirade, a harangue, a jeremiad: in plainer words, a nasty bitter speech, a long angry complaint. Here's the history that distinguishes a the word diatribe from its synonyms: it literally means "a wearing away (of time)," and when we first started using this word--from the 1500s on--we meant "a long, detailed, scholarly discussion or paper." (Kind of funny, right? Because scholars were just frittering away their days with those discussions?) So you can see how a long, rambling, academic speech could morph into a long, rambling, critical speech: a diatribe. Can you explain the exact meanings of tirade, harangue, and jeremiad? What makes each a teeny bit different from a diatribe? make your point with... "DIATRIBE" A diatribe is a long, detailed, angry speech directed specifically at someone or something. Pronunciation: DIE uh tribe Part of speech: Countable noun. (Countable nouns, like "bottle," "piece," and "decision," are words for things that can be broken into exact units. You talk about "a bottle," "three pieces," and "many decisions." Likewise, talk about one diatribe or multiple diatribes.) Other forms: The plural is "diatribes." Although "diatribe" is also a verb (you can diatribe against someone), hardly anyone uses it like that. Here's another rare form: a diatribist is a person who delivers or writes diatribes. How to use it: Diatribes can be spoken aloud or written. They can be weighty and reasonable and necessary, and they can be petty and pointless--and everything in between. You can talk about someone's diatribe ("his diatribe," "her diatribe") or a diatribe of someone ("this diatribe of theirs"). We can say that people read, write, start, launch, keep up, post, end, wrap up, listen to, ignore, forward, and comment on diatribes. Or, we can just say that a diatribe appears, breaks out, is published, ruffles feathers, etc. And we can talk about a diatribe on, about, or regarding a person or thing. Or, talk about a diatribe against a person or thing. examples: I quietly slipped from the room as their political diatribes grew louder. If you were expecting Slaughterhouse-Five to be a glorification of war, you'll be glad to find that it's a diatribe against it. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "diatribe" means when you can explain it without saying "bitter criticism" or "angry discourse." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "The most (impressive, persuasive, entertaining, hilarious, annoying, tedious, etc.) part of _____ is (someone's) diatribe against _____." Example: "The most annoying part of The Taming of the Shrew is Kate's diatribe against the kind of strong woman she used to be." 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, we're playing with The Devil’s Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce. It's a collection of silly, sarcastic, satirical definitions of everyday words, and--lucky us!--it's in the public domain. In each issue this month, I'll give you one of Bierce's definitions and, if it's a tough one, I'll give you the word's first letter. And you try to come up with the word. From our previous issue: Bierce defines it as "a machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time remains to him." It's a noun. It starts with C. What is it? Answer: Clock. Try this today: Bierce defines it as "to ask that the laws of the universe be annulled in behalf of a single petitioner confessedly unworthy." It's a verb. It starts with P. What is it? review today's word: 1. One opposite of DIATRIBE is A. UNITY B. LAUDATION C. STRAIGHTFORWARDNESS 2. He intended to stay silent on the subject, but his words tumbled out, _____, in a diatribe. A. sweet B. impassioned C. full of kindness and humor 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. B 2. B