Phenomenology (fuh-nah-muh-NAHL-uh-jee) is the branch of philosophy that deals with consciousness, thought, and experience. As I used it today: “[John Updike] takes a phenomenological approach to criticism.”
Two terms from classical Greek tragedy. Hamartia (hah-mar-TEE-uh) is a fatal flaw or mistake that leads to the protagonist’s downfall. Anagnorisis (a-nag-NOR-ih-sis) is the point at which the protagonist…
To foment – from the Old French fomenter, “to apply a hot compress (to a wound)” – is to encourage or instigate. As I used it, above: “Peacetime CEOs and Tenders allow for, and even encourage, deviations and…
When you describe something as rampant (RAM-punt), you mean that it is not only common, it is getting worse in an uncontrolled way. As I used it today: “[Confusion about what is meant by the ‘Big Idea’] is…
Demonization (dee-muh-nuh-ZAY-shun) is the portrayal of something as wicked and threatening. As used by Alec Baldwin in today’s quote, above: “The demonization of wealth in this country is mind-blowing.”
Something that’s feculent (FEK-yuh-lunt) is disgusting, full of fetid, rotting, or putrid matter. As used in The New York Times to describe the play Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus: “Taylor Mac’s filthy…
