To cosset (KAH-sit) is to pamper; to care for and protect in an overindulgent way. As used by Mark Gatiss: “Fear is an underrated emotion. And that’s why I think it’s very dangerous to try to cosset children from it. A healthy scare is as good as a healthy laugh. In fact, they’re two sides of the same coin. There is a desire to shield from the knocks and bumps of reality.”
Vitiate (verb) – To vitiate (VISH-ee-ate) is to impair, debase, make ineffective. As used by George Orwell: “All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can foresee the…
A margin call is a demand for additional capital or securities to bring a margin account up to the minimum maintenance level. Brokers may force traders to sell assets, regardless of the market price, to meet…
To instigate (IN-stih-gate) is to bring about or initiate an action or event. As I used it today: “Like every crash I’ve mentioned, [the “Great Recession” crash of 2008/2009] followed a long-term bull market…
Brutalism (BROODL-izm) is a style of architecture featuring massive, unadorned, block-like forms. The term was first used in the 1950s and 1960s to describe innovative buildings constructed primarily with raw…
A paean (PEE-un) is a joyous song or hymn of praise, thanksgiving, or triumph. It originated in Ancient Greece as a tribute to Apollo in his guise as Paean, physician to the gods, for his help in healing…
