Make Your Point > Archived Issues > EPITHET

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connect today's word to others: Although epithets can simply be descriptive nicknames, more often they're hurtful slurs. In other words, an epithet is a type of pej_____ve, or a disrespectful, insulting word or phrase. (To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.) make your point with... "EPITHET" An epithet is either a descriptive name for someone or something (like "The Big Apple" for New York City) or a cruel, offensive name or description for someone or something. Pronunciation: EPP ih thet 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 epithet or multiple epithets.) Other forms: The only common one is the plural, "epithets." There are two verbs: you can epithet or epithetize someone or something. And there are two adjectives: things and people call be epitheted (having one or more epithets), and words and phrases can be epithetic (full of epithets). How to use it: First let's check out some examples of epithets. Although they can be neutral or positive, like "star-cross'd lovers," "daughter of Atlas," "English rose," and "shepherd of the people," they're more often insulting: "the enemy of the American people," "fake news," "libtards," "deplorables." The nastiest kind is a racial epithet, such as the n-word. So, you might talk about people using epithets or using epithets against others, people shouting or hollering epithets at others, people spouting epithets, people attacking or abusing others with epithets, people spray-painting epithets on homes and monuments, or, more happily, people reclaiming epithets: using them in a friendlier, more relaxed way to take away their power to sting or oppress. examples: Richmond abounds in epithets: River City, Capital City, and my favorite, the affectionate and casual RVA.  Melanie's school has "No Place For Hate," she tells me; her principal is quick to suspend anyone heard using a racial epithet against a classmate or teacher. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "epithet" means when you can explain it without saying "descriptive nickname" or "slur." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "The ugly epithet '_____' implies that _____." Example: "In the world of Harry Potter, the ugly epithet 'mudblood' implies that a lineage including both wizards and non-magic folks is, somehow, not only inferior but also dirty." 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. Last month, we played 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. I gave you one of Bierce's definitions, and you tried to come up with the word. From our previous issue: Bierce defines it as "a malevolent literary device for cramping the growth of a language and making it hard and inelastic. This [one], however, is a most useful work." It's a noun. What is it? Answer: Dictionary. Now, a new game for October! Even if you aren't religious, you might still enjoy some beautifully worded passages from the Bible. Let's play with some this month as we recall words we've studied before. Try this today: "Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the f____f____s of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." (New International Version, Proverbs, chapter 3, verses 9-10.) What's the missing phrase? Used literally, it means "the crops that get harvested first in a particular growing season." And used figuratively, it means "the first good results you get from a specific thing you're working on." I'll share the answer in the next issue. review today's word: 1. A near opposite of EPITHET, as it's most commonly used today, is A. BLURRED LINE B. DIGNIFYING TITLE C. RESPECTFUL TONE 2. If only we could banish playground epithets from public political discourse, epithets like _____ A. "na-na-na-na-boo-boo." B. "I have the best words." C. "loser." 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. C