Make Your Point > Archived Issues > MARTINET

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explore the archives: A strict disciplinarian is a martinet, the word you need when you want to call someone, say, a grammar nazi but it'd be inappropriate for your context. Call her a grammar martinet. We can categorize martinet along with panjandrum, pariah, scandalmonger, xenophobe, and many others. Why? (What do all these words have in common?) make your point with... "MARTINET" In the 1600s, Jean Martinet invented a harsh, rigid, severe way to drill members of the military. This made him effective but unpopular. So in general, a martinet is someone who is very strict and very rigid about making everybody follow rules. Pronunciation: MAR tin ET 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 martinet or multiple martinets.) Other forms: martinets, martinetish, martinetishness, martinetism How to use it: Talk about someone being a martinet, acting like a martinet, playing the martinet, being known as a martinet, being a strong leader without being a martinet, etc. "Martinet" has a negative tone all by itself, but you can add an adjective to be even more critical: talk about arrogant martinets, hot-tempered martinets, unreasonable martinets, misguided martinets, etc. (There's no need to say "strict martinet" because it's part of the definition--there's no such thing as a martinet who isn't strict.) Or use an adjective (or noun) to specify the area or topic in which people are being martinets: editorial martinets, grammatical martinets, hygiene martinets, etc. Occasionally you might use the phrase "a martinet on some topic:" "he's a martinet on cleanliness," "they're such martinets on inter-office paperwork." Even though "martinet" is a noun, sometimes we use it like an adjective: martinet principles, martinet policies, martinet behavior, this martinet manager, a martinet obsession with technical regulations. examples: Every time I split an infinitive or end a sentence with a preposition, I can almost hear the tsk-tsk of those woefully misguided grammar martinets. Step one in organizing a room is getting rid of unneeded stuff--a task I take on with the fastidiousness and fury of a martinet.  study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "martinet" means when you can explain it without saying "drillmaster" or "harsh disciplinarian." try it out: Think of an excellent leader or teacher you know. Fill in the blanks: "Without ever being a martinet about it, (Person) (gets people to accomplish something)." Example: "Without ever being a martinet about it, my Algebra II teacher got us to think logically, and think for ourselves."  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 original and literal meanings of familiar words. I'll give you three words and their original or literal definitions, and you'll match them up. Easy! But then the following day, see if you can recall those old meanings. Hard! :) Our game has two purposes. One, we'll visit the interesting, thought-provoking old meanings of words. And two, we'll remind ourselves of a powerful learning strategy: delayed recalling. Let's play! First, try to recall from yesterday the original meanings of "leeway" and "fascinate" and the literal meaning of "trombone." Answers appear at the bottom of this issue. Next, match these words to their original or literal definitions in the answer bank below: 1. "Lecture" originally meant _____ 2. "Hurry" originally meant _____ 3. "Matinee" literally means _____ Answer bank: A. "morning." B. "the act of reading." C. "commotion." review today's word: 1. The opposite of MARTINET is A. JOVE B. MAGNATE C. LATITUDINARIAN 2. She's a martinet on etiquette, so please don't _____. A. embarrass her by pointing out her faux pas B. RSVP after the "please RSVP by" date C. bring up etiquette at all Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, 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 game questions: 1. "Leeway" originally meant "the sideways drift of a ship." 2. "Fascinate" originally meant "to affect with witchcraft." 3. "Trombone" literally means "big trumpet." Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. B