Make Your Point > Archived Issues > SIMULACRUM

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connect today's word to others: A simulacrum is a copy or a fake version of something, often an er___z copy or version: that is, a poor imitation of the real thing. Simulacrum comes from the Latin word similis, meaning "like or resembling," which also gave us words like similar, simile, simulate, and our previous word v___simil___de, meaning "apparent realness or apparent truth." Could you recall it? Hint: it looks, and sounds, much like the words "very similar." (To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.) make your point with... "SIMULACRUM" A simulacrum is a copy, an imitation, or a fake version of something. Pronunciation: SIM you LAY crum 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 simulacrum or multiple simulacrums or simulacra.) Other forms: The adjective is "simulacral." For the plural noun, pick either "simulacrums" or "simulacra." How to use it: This is a formal word with a slightly negative tone, so use it to be serious or pseudo-serious. When you call something a simulacrum, you're suggesting that, while it tries to look like the real thing, it lacks all the good, substantial qualities that the real thing has. Often we talk about a simulacrum of something: a simulacrum of a painting, a simulacrum of New York City streets, a simulacrum of a leader, a simulacrum of a religion. examples: On the Hunger Games soundtrack, among all the Appalachian tunes, "Daughter's Lament" sounds like a strange Celtic simulacrum, with lyrics like "woe be, woe be" and "spend this hour with thee." "This [Tommy Hilfiger] stuff is simulacra of simulacra of simulacra. A diluted tincture of Ralph Lauren, who had himself diluted the glory days of Brooks Brothers, who themselves had stepped on the product of Jermyn Street and Savile Row."    —William Gibson, Pattern Recognition, 2003 study it now: Look away from the screen to define "simulacrum" without saying "likeness" or "imitation." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "Yes, this is shaped like a _____, but it has no _____. It is a mere simulacrum of a _____." Example: "Yes, this is shaped like a bagel, but it has no shine on the outside, no chewiness on the inside. It is a mere simulacrum of a bagel." 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. Apt Adjective Anagrams!  I'll invent a person's name and a brief description of that person, and you unscramble the letters in the name to form an adjective that aptly describes the person or the person's situation. For example, if I say "Naomi Cirous is still holding a grudge," then you rearrange the letters in "Naomi Cirous" to form the adjective "acrimonious," meaning "sharp, bitter, and mean"--an appropriate adjective for someone holding a grudge. From the previous issue: Amie Talcum earns all A's and has never gotten a detention. Answer: Her records are immaculate. Try this today: Dora Yilt takes forever to get her work done. review today's word: 1. The opposite of A SIMULACRUM is A. A FALSE HOPE. B. THE GENUINE ARTICLE. C. A THORN IN ONE'S SIDE. 2. When you shiver with revulsion at simulacra of humans--like _____--you're experiencing the uncanny valley effect. A. scars or limps B. dolls or mannequins C. nail clippings or strands of hair 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