words

Impugn

To assail by word or argument/call into question

Zero-sum

designating a situation in which whatever is gained by one side, is lost by the other, so that the net change is always 0.

Eke

to accomplish or attain through considerable effort or struggle

ignotum per ignotius

an explanation or elaboration that is more difficult to understand than the initial explanation of a topic

Theseus' Paradox

a thought experiment about whether an object is the same object after having all of its original components replaced over time

halcyon

alluding to the ancient Greek myth of the seabirds believed to calm the ocean for 2 weeks—-halcyon days (characterized by peace, happiness, prosperity, or success; calmly, tranquil)

Mcguffin

in a film: a particular event, object, factor, etc. presented as initially being of great significance to a character but in the end proving illusory or irrelevant

hegemony

political, economic, or military predominance or leadership, especially by one country over others (could also be social or cultural predominance)

akrasia

lack of mental strength; weakness of will

palimpsest

a writing surface on which the original text has been partially erased, then overwritten by another

procrustean bed

a measure having the effect of aggressively enforcing conformity (pertaining to procrustes, an infamous innkeeper and thief notorious for violently fitting guests to a bed before robbing them)

inearrable

describing that which cannot be narrated, told, or declared

newspeak

any corrupt form of English, especially ambiguous or euphemistic language used as political propaganda

essay

to attempt, to show or prove; to undertake, to try

sprezzatura

ease of manner; studied carelessness; the appearance of effortlessness, staged nonchalance

sine qua non

a necessity; an essential element

inchoate

in an initial stage of beginning or development, thus elementary, imperfect, incomplete, immature, and/or evolving

anecdata

information or evidence based on reports of individual cases rather than systematic research or analysis; anecdotal evidence— oxymoron?

stultify

to induce dullness, foolishness, or stupidity in another

hydra

the nine headed serpent whose head when cut off, would return as 2

Occam's Razor

the principle that no more entities, causes, or forces than necessary should be invoked in explaining a set of facts or observations; rule of simplicity

weltanschauung

a particular philosophy or view of life

nihilartikel

a deliberately fictitious entry in an encyclopedia or academic work, generally identifiable as fake, usually included to brand the intellectual property and detect potential copyright violation

olecranon

the large bony prominence at the proximal end of the ulna

tricolon

a rhetorical arrangement in which 3 parallel words, phrases, or sentences complement and amplify one another

alexithymia

an inability to recognize ones own emotions and to express them in words

wetware

organic structures regarded as analogous to, or in contrast with computer systems, particularly the brain

hyperbaton

the inversion of customary or logical order of words or phrases for rhetorical effect

agelast

a person who never laughs; one without a sense of humor

talaria

winged sandals or ankles of some mythological deities, for example, Hermes and Mercury

agerasia

an outward appearance more youthful than one's true age

tergiversale

to turn one's back in flight, retreat, or protest; to evade, equivocate, shift or shuffle one's reasoning

anhedonia

loss or diminution of the capacity to feel pleasure or to take interest in activities ordinarily considered pleasurable, usually a symptom of depressive disorders (or perhaps weltschmerz)

lapsus linguae

a slip of the tongue; an error of speech

ethos

the characteristic spirit of a people, community, culture, or era as manifested in its attitudes and aspirations; the prevailing character of an institution or system; the character of an individual as represented by their values & beliefs

nostomania

an obsession with returning home or to a familiar place; absolute nostalgia

terra incognita

unknown land or territory

numinous

suggesting or revealing the presence of a divinity; giving rise to a sense of the spiritually transcendent