Make Your Point > Archived Issues > OFFICIOUS

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"OFFICIOUS" Meaning: Officious people are trying to help or take charge in a way that's very annoying and pushy. Pronunciation: uh FISH us 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 “an officious receptionist.” 2. After a linking verb, as in "The receptionist was officious.”) Other forms: officiously, officiousness Note: An "officious lie" is something kind (but untrue) that you say to help someone else. I'll leave that phrase out of the rest of this discussion, since the meaning of "officious" alone is different. How to use it: "Officious" often describes people who aren't even really in charge; they just think they are. But you can also use this word to talk about people who do have true authority: officious bosses, officious police officers, etc. Usually, you talk about officious people, personalities, and manners: "the officious agent who insisted on helping us carry our own few bags," "we couldn't believe how officious the tour guide's manner was." Occasionally, though, you might talk about an officious voice, an officious command or question or comment, and so on. As she lectures me enthusiastically about how my cat is overweight, I remind myself to have patience with the officious veterinarian's assistant. She's clearly just trying to do her job well. You know those officious little pop-up invitations to chat with a salesperson on websites? I guess they work to increase sales on the page, but they irk me. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "officious" means when you can explain it without saying "like a busybody" or "self-important." Think of a person or thing that seems to boss you around while trying to help you, and fill in the blanks: "I have to (tune out) / (work around) the officious _____." Example: "I have to work around the officious structure of my phone's operating system, which organizes apps into categories that I can't alter or delete." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: This month, we're sampling questions from Orijinz, an awesome series of games about the origins of words, phrases, and quotes. Click here if you want to check them out. They're compact--perfect for stockings. Just saying. :) Try a question here each day this month, and see the right answer the next day. Have fun! Yesterday's question: "Guess the word! Origin: In one variety of draw poker, players have to progressively ante until one or more players have a pair of jacks or better and can begin betting and start play. The pool of ante money can grow quite large if multiple deals do not generate a pair of jacks or better. In that case, the eventual winner would earn a major chunk of cash. Definition: A large reward or big prize." Answer: "The word is: Jackpot.” Today's question: "Guess the phrase! Origin: Old flintlock muskets had an indentation that held the priming powder. When the trigger was pulled, sparks produced by the steel hammer would strike a flint that exploded the priming powder. But sometimes this initial explosion failed to set off the main charge. Definition: A person who enjoys short term success but ultimately fails to live up to his potential." A Point Well Made: Janet Jackson: “I pray, right now, that we're moving into a kinder time when prejudice is overcome by understanding; when narrow-mindedness, and narrow-minded bigotry is overwhelmed by open-hearted empathy; when the pain of judgmentalism is replaced by the purity of love.” 1. A close opposite of OFFICIOUS is A. UNOBTRUSIVE B. FEARLESS C. WHITEWASHED 2. Sorry if I'm being officious, but _____. A. I really like your hairstyle B. you can't smoke in here; it's the law C. you should alphabetize the DVDs you own Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.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. A 2. C Exploring the archives: Officious people are all up in your business, doing all sorts of things you'd rather they not do. The main root of this word, "facere," is Latin for "to do, to make." We've had a look at some other words with this root, also, which sometimes is spelled "fic" like you see here, and other times "fac" or "fec." Could you recall the word meaning "so easily done that it took no thought or effort"? How about the word meaning "a false (made-up) appearance"? And--here's a hard one--the word meaning "a large building, or an organization or system that's very big and complicated."