Make Your Point > Archived Issues > OTIOSE

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connect today's word to others: The Oxford English Dictionary lists eight different pronunciations of otiose, which is pretty funny when you consider how otiose means "futile or redundant." One of those pronunciations, "OH dee ose," makes otiose sound almost like odious. Although we might call something odious and, in the next breath, call it otiose, the two words aren't synonyms. Can you explain what odious means? Hint: it has nothing to do with odor. make your point with... "OTIOSE" This word is based on the Latin word for leisure or free time: otium. Someone or something otiose is either    useless and pointless,    unnecessary and redundant, or    lazy and inactive. Pronunciation: Many ways are correct. I prefer "OH she ose." (That's my preference because it matches how we pronounce the same Latin root in the word "negotiate." That is, "negotiate" literally means "lack of leisure" and, like "otiose," is based on otium, meaning "leisure." So it seems consistent to me that in both "negotiate" and "otiose," we pronounce the "ot" as "OHsh.") 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 otiose thing" or "an otiose person." 2. After a linking verb, as in "It was otiose" or "He was otiose.") Other forms: otiosely, otiosity/otioseness How to use it: You know how sometimes, you can see an unfamiliar word and tell just by looking at it whether it's a nice one or mean one? "Otiose" seems obviously mean, doesn't it? That's why I say that even though it's a rare word, your readers and listeners will understand it right away. They'll probably hear it and realize that it's formal, serious, and sharply negative. We might have otiose thoughts or otiose beliefs, meaning they have no effect on real life or are just a waste of time.  "She wastes her time on that otiose contemplation." "It would be otiose for him to wonder about it." Otiose letters, sounds, words, nicknames or titles, phrases, sayings, and descriptions are useless and may as well be deleted. The same goes for otiose commentary, otiose scenes and dialogue, otiose music and so on: it has no function and may as well be removed. Lastly, an otiose person is lazy and useless, performing no function in society. (Ouch!) examples: When it comes to preventing terrorist attacks, he craves action. It's why he criticizes people who change their Facebook profile picture to show solidarity with those hurt by the attack: he finds it otiose. And tacky. Most reviewers dismissed the book as otiose speculation: the author had no degree in psychology and had conducted no research to arrive at his conclusions. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "otiose" means when you can explain it without saying "useless" or "slothful." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "_____ become(s) otiose (in a particular situation or format)." Example: "Long, wordy introductions become otiose in list-based articles, or listicles, with titles that already do all the necessary explaining." 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. Our game this month is called Felicitous Names.  A felicitous name for a fictional character is a highly appropriate name, a name that fits that character so perfectly that you just know the writer picked it on purpose. This month, draw on your knowledge of both vocabulary and fiction to pick out the right name for the character described. Enjoy! From our previous issue: We need a felicitous name for a man who fears the world--someone who shuts himself up in his mansion and is hesitant, even, to love his own family. Is it Sherlock Holmes, Archibald Craven, or Gogul Ganguli? Why? Answer: Archibald Craven. "Craven" means "cowardly," an appropriate name for the most timid character in The Secret Garden. Try this today:  You need a felicitous name for a totally inept space captain, someone wildly reckless with both property and lives. Do you pick Brannigan, Kirk, or Reynolds? Why?  review today's word: 1. One opposite of OTIOSE is A. FRUITFUL B. AROMATIC C. EXTENSIVE 2. Hawaii isn't some paradise of otiosity; people there do have to _____. A. pay taxes B. work for a living C. eat something other than pineapples and mac nuts 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 review questions: 1. A 2. B